Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-10-11
OTTUMWA, IOWA, OCTOBER II, 1850.
time gosh a-mighiy! wild dem ar horn

1
gun ilints."
"Wha. have you 10 do with it. yo,
tarnal black nigger!" cried Jonathan
turning to him with furious look.
"Why, you see, is de generals aid
de-camp in holding de stakes in dis a
special game;" at the same time he han
ded them over 10 his master, with
chuckling laugh.
The losing party saw the deception o
the trick, and appeared doubly anxious
to facilitate their journey.
The General was none the less merry
for having won their money. and occa.
sionally laughed over it, saying he hac
merely made his expenses, whereas he
ought TO have made several thousand
dollars.
The Frenchman sighed, and said he
thought il "von vare expensive countrie y
The General however assured him he
should have chance to win back. his
money, so soon as he should feel dis
posed, BY any other game he or his
down-east friend should see proper to
select.
Monsieur said he only knew one,
which was the French game OF Tmgt.
,tn, or twenty one.
The General replied that that was one
of his strongest games; and that so soon
as they could make themselves comfor,a.
bly, situated as 10 their lodgings, they
would have friendly touch Of il.
Arrived at a hotel where they intended
to pass the night, the Frenchman and his
companion, having determined not to
proceed any farther with The General,
made their intentions known to him
stating as reason, that friend whom
they sought was on tour to the South,
and that on the first opportunity rhey
should embark on boat for Natchez.
The General said he thought they
would have very pleasant trip and iha,
he would dispatch his servant home with
his horses, and accompany them. This
was certainly anything but agreeable,
but as there was no help for it, our trav.
cling friends though; proper to assent.
The water at this time being low, il
was proposed by the General that a
small fla,-boat should be procured, which
would be very advantageous, and he and
The Frenchman could play at their favor
lie game of twenty-one, while the down.
easter and the landlord, whom the Gen
eral persuaded to go along, should man
age the boat.
This accordingly being acceded to, the
boat was soon under weigh. Scarcely
had they left the shore ere the General,
eager for the game, gave the Frenchman
hint 10 that effect, and they were soon
in full olast-ihe Frenchman taking the
deal, the General betting high and losing.
Night setting in, they concluded to lay
to and dispense with the game until
morning.
The next day, while laying at The
shore, they resumed their play-tlle
General still losing the most important
bets. AT last he proposed a new change
of deal. Monsieur assured him he
could only play his game one way,aand
that was 10 deal. Again they played
one for time, when the General, ap-
pearing to get out Of patience, insisted
the game should be change, as he was
over one thousand dollars The loser.
Monsieur said he thought it an unfair
request, as he had frequently said he
knew no other game.
The General still pressed his suit, and
said he was willing to leave il TO their
host, whether it was not right that he
should give him chance to win back
his money. The hos. being s;aunch
friend of the General. of course decided
in hls favor.
By this time all was ready for their
morning departure, and Monsieur, think
ing he might come out second best, was
anxious TO leave; but the General de-
clared that the game must be played
without any further delay.
"Vell, den, Monsieur" whined the
Frenchman. "you sail propose your game
--vot is ii?"
MY game" replied The General, as
dead open and shut"
"Vol you say, General! Me no. un.
derstand you sare. II is Won dead open
aud shut with Won card, eh!''
"Open and shut with every thing else
but card" said the General, with coarse
laugh--"I will give you an example"
/. He placed himself in an attitude to
explain his game, which was done by
placing his hands behind him, and re.
quiring the Frenchman TO say whether
they were open or shut.
Monsieur, hardly knowing what 10
make of it, said "Open."
allow much will you bet met" inquir.
ed the General.
"Suppose me bette you von leetle hun
dred dollars
.Done!'' said the General, at the same
time showing the astonished Frenchmar
his closed hands. ii am sorry to inform
you that you have lost and a smile 0
peculiar meaning played round hi
mouth.
"Ah! scacre! me shall no understand
Won such game, Generate.
"Must understand it, by Jupiter!
Numbered the General, once more pla
cling his hands behind him.
Il -.<I as.x