Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-12-03
From tho Yankee Blade.
THE GAMBLER oUTwITTED.
ny W. wicHTNAN.

ny w. P. wicITTNAN.
The following was related to me by one
whose veracity is unquestionable, and
who was an eyewitness of the scene.
A few years ago several young men
were journeyins down the Mississippi in
one of the large steamboats, then much
infested with blacklegs, who embraced
every opportunity of fleccing the passen-
gers, but who occasionally had the tables
turned on them. One of these Young
men was the son of rich planter, and
had just received his portion, which he
had converted into cash to the amount of
one hundred thousand dollars. Now this
rich young sprig could hold hand at po-
ker with the best of them, and was, with
al as consumate a disSembler as over
fcigned greenness to humbug a cockney,
or dibble Peter Funk. u
There were several gamblers on board,
on the lookout for victim, and seeing
these dashing young fellows sporting their
double KS in careless profusion1our he
ro in particular, whom we shall designate
as B., they Immediately scraped up
an acquaintance, and one of them banter
ed B. for game of poker;
Well,' said b., have often heard of
that dcmncd game, but intend to learn
it now, though shan't bet moro than
FIVE hundred at stroke
The gambler smiled with anticipation,
and politely offered to teach b. for the
slight consideration of v, and then to
play with him orsmall sums, just to rem
der the game interesting and teach the true
science of the thing b. readily agreed to
his proposal, and the gambler, tipping the
wink to his fellows, sat down to initiate
our hero into the misteries of poker, a
game which he was almost an adept in
long before he could spell his name.
After an hours hard work, explana-
tions, &c. on one side, and ejacnlatferrs OF
wonder on the other, B. thought he had
learned enough Of the demncd game to
try hand or two at ten dollars ante, and
nothing less. His friends cxpostulated
with him, and assured him that he would
be sure to lose but he said he didn't
care if he did-and, besides he could quit
if he wanted to.
The novelty Of the transaction had
broughttogethcr number of the passen-
gers, who were looking on with great in
terest, and pitying the poor greenhon,
soon to be wound up in financial matters
as they thought.
The game had progressed for some
time, b., alternately winning and losing,
until the gambler thought his time had
come, and he must make his big stroke
and put an end to the matter So taking
the cards, he deals four kings and jgck
to b., and four aces and queen to him
self, and then puts on a powerful misera-
bic look, as though he had the poorest
hand imaginable. b. straitened himself
up in his seat very suddenly. and anx-
iously inquired of the clap If he would
bet a fifty with him.
His opponent hesitated few moments,
and then exclaimed desperately
'Yes, might as well make or break
at once. see your bet and go q hun
1red better
B. looked at him seemingly surprised
10 death, and said to him, see that and
1--WE hundred, but | would advise you not
10 see it, because I've got a sPleniid
hand
A very, very faint smile wrcathed the
GAMBLERS lips for moment As he muir
INJURED, L go that and thousand bet
.cT'
Well said b.. Il can't help it, if you
must, but l don't want to win all your
money. L go yours and ten thousand
dollars better
The gambler looked surprised for
but silly wiuked TO his friends
or loan, he exclaimed. as though in
it of desperation, you'll beat me, ] know,
1ut it's gone too far to back out now. ]
will go yours and ten thousand better.
BIS face convulsed with agony, as he
quickly said to his opponent, but sup |
bose fellow amt got the cash to see that
asst go?' sras .r
M. Then the pile is mine, said the pleas !
ID gambler. as a smile Of satisfaction !
,yerspread his cOuntenanee. .- I
Gentlemen, said B., is that the case
Theh a fellow hasn't the dust, can be not
make the other retraot his OvaSoP
Certainly not, said all the gentlemen
n breath, if you cannot see his bet !
he money belongs to him. it-f I
Yes it does, said BIS kind tutor In 1
he game, and this pile is mine
Hold on q minute friend, said B., II
lid not say / could not see il. / only |
lsked q simple question for information. |
haul my red trunk over here /
The steward brought the trunk, and B., |
opening it, took out a huge roll Of bank I
bills. and bag Of specie, and said with
he greatest sang froid imaginable, and
It the same time, giving the trembling
anxious gambler a quizzical look
i go that bet and ninety thousand doll