Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-02-13
THE GAME OF THIMBLES;
7. OR. BLsT TWO In THREE. 3

Who has not heard of the game of Thin
bles. For The edifca,ion of those who
have been SO fortunate as never to- have
seen it. We will succintly describe it.. 1919.
The sporting gentleman produces three
common sewing tiiinbles and a small ball :.
aud placing them upon his knee or some
smooth surface. commences operations by
rolling the little bali by his third inge:
under each of the thimbles, which are in
row. lifting first one and then another. as
the ball approaches it. with his thumb and
iore-6nger, and passing it along from one
to the other. When all is ripe. he suffers
the ball to stop, half disclosing haf-con-
cealing its resting place. Hands are than
lifted, and the easy dures make their bets
as to the Identical thimbe under which the
bali may be found. The strength Of tie
game lies in the !egerdemaln by which the
gamester removes the bail and places II
under any thimble he may choose, after
the bet is made.
Thousands of dollars have been lost at
this game. About three years ago we
took a trip upon one of the fine Western
steamboats, up Red River to the foot of the
Raft. AS usual, there'was large number
Of passengers on board. among them the
celebrated DR.. B. the inventor OF
the game of .fhim6les!' The Dr.. frequent
| Iy amused the passengers with several
games particularly one called 'Calcula-
!
fion,' which seemed 10 be his favorite, and
brought him qnite revenue during the
trip. The Doctor himself. vas quite a
subject OF curiosity aud study to us, having
heard so much Of his unrivalled shrewd-
ness as sportsman. and the vast amount
accumulated by him by the little game OF
ThimbEes. Indeed, it was said that he
was the moving cause Of several penal
statutes in regard to gaming, having been
enacted by this Stale and Georgia.
One evening after supper, twas insisted
by some Of the passengers that the Doctor
should exhibit the game, of I'himbles,
which, with his usual modessy, he decli
ned TO do, protesting among other things
tha, he Lad no thimbies. This difficulty
was easily remedied. messenger being
despatched to the ladies cabin. soon return.
ed witt, the requisite number. The Doc
tor made him little ball of paper, ant
commenced The performance. AT first he
was quite unIucky-bu, he paid up punctu
ally, and consoled himself with a Eavorilt
expression Of his. that sometimes 1 an
very severe. then again not quite so sig.
Among the cookers on was young gen
tleman from good old Connecticut, Oh hi:
first visit 'South.' He vas on Ills way Il
the head Of nav CATION, with pretty liul,
stock Of groceries, by way of trying hi
fortune in the Great West. He soon man
ifested considerable interest 10 the game
declaring he knew the thinble under which
the ball mi CHI be found. The Doctor CAV
him knowing wink, and desired him il
: a whisper mot to teN' But so often di
our friend guess right, that at last he Iai
aside all scrupless of conscience, and de
$ sired to be permitted TO bet few dollars.
TO this proposition the Doctor at first oh
] iected. declaring he did not like the youn!
: mans eye. 1t ,Oas too keen.' that he say
$ the ball. &c. This seemed TO pleas
Y Connecticut very much and made hiI
: the more anxious to bet. .--...-.
F.; After much parley and good deal {
: reluctance on the part Of the Doctor.
r was at last agreed that 'Connec,icui
might bet fe,0 dollars, Just a fe,O,'
j. he would allow the Doctor little chanc
n against taoo such piercing eyes as he hat
; by betting two to one. This being
If length settled. our young friend put u
y his twenty dollars against the Doctor
e ten. Hands off and al! being ready. h
y lifted the thimble ant sure enough hei
). ,cas the ball. The Doctor gave up II
At money and all enjoyed a hearty laugh
efhis expense. This was the largest b
J. which had been made that evening. TT
!, Doctor observed, sometimes he teas n,
e quite so SLY
vel The bali and thimble were again pu.
ID mo,ion-agaIn all being ready our luck
At friend proposed to bet-but the Doct
declared he must have some chance again
). such great odds as Yankee eyes, and i
p sisted ON three to one, or. thirty dollars
e1 ten being made. This was also accepts
:. I-again the tfimble was raised. and SUI
d enough there ,vds the ball. Our frler
y again pockeied another 4. and again Il
IS social hall rang with laughter al The. Do
III ior'sexpense.