True Democrat., 1846-04-29
M rs CELLANY.
SAVING" A TOURIST

|
mad been SoJournng at Louisville scme
days; at the time ofwhich we write he was
sImp sort ofa lion; few days after, he
became notorious. Although the Captain
was universally y acknowledged to be "good
fellow" who conId 'carry" a large quanli-
ty OF Ilqnor, and who always ''treated liber-
ally" yet it was considered by some who
were as fond of joke as anything else,
that he might be rather easily guIled. More
than once, among those he had chosen to
consider, torthe time, as hisintimatef friends,
ne had been seen TO take out his note, book,
and make sundrv memoranda The i'm
! preston became pretty universal, therefore,
that on his return to England he intended
TO write book; hence many a one endea-
vored to furnish him with an extra item,
so that when the gallant Captain started
JOr home, he had just about as correct
knowledge ofourp people as when he started
from home. Mixed up with a variety of
facts, he had gathered a still larger variety
OF abSurdi'ies, imposed upon him by wags
OF every grade and complexion.
While the lads we mentioned were lux
urlatng over their cigars, the Captain en-
tered the barroom, accompanied by one
who had been his boon companion for
some days, and who was known TO love
quiz as he loved his life. The latter per-
sonage advanced to the party and said,
"The Captain is anxious to see you play
that game of poker we spoke of to night
You know he says he wishes to see game
III real south western style. Now keep
steady faces, 90 TO the room, and | will see
that the Captain is there"
nabont half an honr, a singular crowd
might have been seen in one of the rooms.
-Four sat at table, each corner of which
was 9arnlSheG with Just such a display of
deadly weapons as fancy dictated; all ofthe
players, having provided themselves with
pistols and bowie knives A warm fire was
in the CRATE, aud the gamblers had stripped
themselves Of coat and vest; ready, as it
appeared, for any encounter As spectators
of this game, Captain Marrvait and his
comrade were closely watching the pro-
ceedingS.
Now, gcntlcmcn,' said one Of the party,
holding up pack ofcards, 'ifyou are all
ready, we will Begin
'AiI ready for fair setto,' responded the
others.
The cards were dealt, and at it they
went.-The luck seemed to change vari-
onsy for some time. BY and by young
man, who was PLAYING with remarkable
GOODNESS, made bet Of five thousand dol
lars.
i will have to see that said another,
'and 90 you five thousand dollars better
Capt. Marryatl's eyes began TO open.
very well, said the first who bet, without
changing a muscle of his countenance, Il
cannot run on this hand. see your five
thousand and bet you twenty thousand
dollars more.
'The devil you do! That's a salty bet.
Draw it, Fred; my hand is better than
yours, and don't wish 10 steal vour mon.
ev. Let it be decided on the original bet
OF five thousand dollars
i have bet twenty thousand said the
Young man, firmly, and you can call it or
not, Just as you choose-thiS is no child'S |
play, to bet and back OUT
Very well said The other Il give you
fair chance. call the twenty thousand, !
and could win more, if | choose TO do so.
There's my hand, four aces, the best in the
pack
'Enough said replied The other, Il am
perfectly satisfied. Yon have won thirty
dollars; come to the office, and |
will give you my check on the Bank of
Louisville have just that amount there,
the last cent have in the world. The
old mans farm is all gone now. have
played enough, boys, let us go liquor
And thus the party broke up.
About a year after this occurrence, The
Diary of America, by Capt. Mnrryatr, made
rs appearance in this country. Perhaps an
.xlrart from the second volume will crafty
he reader:
sWhile was in Louisville I had an
uf witnessing the coolnrSs Of
AmaricinS iu gambling and Of Justly csIi-
uaung their Characteristic rrckieSsneSs Of
amper Al the same time the inter bar
,arity Of some Of their habits was fully dis
layed. was invited bv friend 10 look
n upon the proceedings Of party engaged
\ game Of cards mucn played M tie
.outh anI WrSi called Poker To my mt
r a>tonishmaut | found them stripped
lmo>i a. the skin. like gang oi savageS.
,ar was this all On each corner Of the
able they had deposited their various
pistols aud bowie knives
ready. as it appeared for a bloody fight,
itouId any dispute or mere difference arise.