Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-09-25
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The Town Of Alexandria, in Virginia, is a spa
c.ous building, occupyin. with its ont-bnldings,
two sides Of public square, in which the city
markets are held. It's ornam,nted with clock
and steeple, concerning the erection of which the
knowing ones about town, tell the following yarn.
which we tell as it was told to US.
A gambler from the south, learning that tie
fields were ripe for golden harvest, dropped
down upon that city, fol. the purpose OF catching
some spigeons.' The net was spread, the bait
very inviting, and the game went on gloriously
for several days. Mr. Blank, VIII IN out of res
pect to his family, we shall call Mr. Smith, at
last fell in o the snares Of the fowler; and not
being able to cope with professional viany, false
cards, loaded dice, and other honorable means
which are practiced BY smen Of honor TO do a
pigeon, oat Of his money, he found himself at
the end Of the game smoking TO the tune Of $1,000.
This - man Of honor, he could not refuse to
pay, and as whipping a black-ley was sorry salts
faction he cast about to see what revenge the law
Sin such case made and provided woald afford
him.
II seems that among the old colony laws Of
Virginia, the wisdom Of the Old Dominion had
seen ct to provide, that il any man could not
show some ostensible means of obtaining llveli-
hood, he should be sold into servitude to prevent
his being tax upon the parish. The wisdom
and mercy Of such provision is not at this day
to be doubted. Thus It was written, and that
was the end Of the matter. A pint is pound the
the world round and TO say that law is not rea-
son is dangerous treason. Mr. Smith therefore
entered complaint against the mli OF Fortune
a. one who had no ostensihle means Of living
Dice and cards do not seem to come under that
denomination in the law Of Virginia and the
gambler was accordingly condemned to be sold at
public auction and oatcry to the highest bidder.
not dreaming that any one would bid for such
trash, he took il for capital joke, and made him.
self quite merry. But they may laugh who win.
Mr. Smith appeared or the ground and bid SlOO.
The gambler laughed and doubled it. Tie bid
der offered 500; and he rose By hundreds again.
At $500 the gambler began to feel some little
alarm, and was anxious to know swhat possible
advantage it could be to to the bidder to b " hi
"To tote him down 10 New Orleans ami trade
him off for corn! said Mr. Smith firmly.
This was not catastrophe which the blackleg
had at all anticipated, and he began to change his
tone OF banter for that Of supple alton M NTH,
said he, 4 pledge yol my word and honor that
cannot bid another dollar. Ihave lost every cent
Iwoa Of yoa.'
Il have then 50 much the better chance to buy
you,' replied the determined bidder. Sixteen
hundred dollars Mr. Aactimeer.p
the gambler groaned, but was compelled TO
rise 500.
Seventeen hundred said NJ Smith.
sOh! Mr. Smith how can yol be so hard upon
poor fellow. Every dollar could raise would
not make up that sum-
Then will buy YOUR
Eighteen handred groaned the favorite OF Fo.-
tune.
two thousaud,' bid the pigeon.
And higher yet the sum ascenis; while the
gambler rose hundred BY hundred, with protesta-
tions, which put to shame those of Iss,c OF York
when stretched on the rack by the gentle King
John, and respectfully declinin, OF the score Of
extreme pove ~, to loan to his sovereign prince
the gold, which was concealed on his person.
Mr. s. finally consented to let his victim Off at
at $500, which was speedily Forthcoming; and
the authorities not KNOWN, 20 what purp,se the
Sproceeds' Of white man could be lawfully APP
Piled, I'D led steepe and bell to their town H al
that all the citizens Of Alexandra might be daily
eolled the advantages Of hayin. 'the o3tensibie
means Of an honest LIVELIHOOD,