Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-09-03

How to Build a Steeule,

The Town Hall of Alexandria, in Vir-
ginia, is 4 spacious building, occupying,
with its out building, two sides Of pub
lie square, in which the city markets are
held. Ii is ornamented with clock and
steeple, concerning the erection of which
the knowing ones about town, tell the fol-
lowing warn, which we tell as it was told
us.
A gambler from The south, learning that
the fields were ripe for a golden harvest,
dropped down upon that city for the pur-
pose of catching some pigeons. The net
was spread, the bait very inviting, and
the game went on gIoriously for several
days. Mr.. Blank, whom, out of respect
to his family, We shall call Mr.. Smith, al
last fell into the snare of the fowler; and
not being able to cope with professional
viIlany, false cards, loaded dice, and all
other honorable means which are prac-
tlced by men of honor to do d pigeon
out Of his money, he found himself at the
end of the game smoking to the tune Of
$4,000. This, as a man OF honor, he
could not refuse to pay, and as whipping
a black-leg was sorry satisfaction, he cast
about to see what revenge the law in
such cases made and provided would al
ford him.
Il seems that among the old colony
laws of Virginia, the wisdom of Old Do
minion had seen fit to provide, that if any
man could not show some oslenslble
means of obtaining livelihood. he should
be sold into serviluae 10 prevent his being
d tax on the parish. The wisdom and
mercy Of such a 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 world round and 10
say that law is not reason is dangerous
treason. Mr.. Smith therefore entered a
complaint against the man of fortune as
one who had no ostensible means of llv-
ing. Dice and cards do not seem to come
under that denomination in The laws of
Virginia; and the gambler was accordingly
condemned TO be sold at public auction
and outcry to the highest and best bidder.
Not dreaming that any one would bid on
such trash, he took it for capital joke,
and made himself quite merry. But they
may laugh who win. Mr.. Smith appeared
on the ground and bid 500. The gam
bier laughed and doubled it. The bidder
offered $400; and he rose by hundreds
again. At $500 the gambler began to
feel some alarm, and was anxious to know
what possible advantage it could be TO
the bidder 10 buy HIM ?
TO tote him down to New Orleans,
and trade him off for corn !! said Mr..
Smith, firmly.
This was not 4 catastrophe which the
black-leg had at all anticipated, and he be-
gan to change his tone of banter for that
of supplication. Mr.. Smith, said he
Il pledge you my word of honor that
cannot bid another dollar. ! have lost
every cent have won Of you
Il have then so much the better chance
to buy YOU replied the determined bid
der Sixteen hundred dollars, Mr.. Auc-
tioneerp
The gambler groaned, but was compel
led to rise one hundred dollars.
Seventeen hundred said Mr.. Smith.
'Oh, Mr.. Smith, implored the other
how can you be so hard upon IA poor
fellow, Every dollar could raise wouldn't
make up that sum-
Then | will buy you
Eighteen hundred groaned the favor
lie of fortune.
Two thousand,' bid the pigeon.
And higher yet the sum ascends, while