Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-01-28
THEM THREE TREYS UP AGAIN ;
A mississippi River Sketch.
ny CHIPS"


years ago, l found myself ON board one of
the western steamboats,, making as the
Captain said, pretty good time. l was
on the lookout for sport, and was anxious
to study human nature in all its phases.
did not care with whom conversed or
mingled, SO that was not placed in ex-
act contact with desperadoes or showers
had Just commenced putting despe.
ratcly at one of those large regalias that
Jones of the Dock street Exchange Ho-
tels had insisted on my taking along as
baggage. when | heard the sound OF foot
steps. | looked towards the quarter from
whence the sounds proceeded and be-
held short, thick-set individual approach
ing mo at what thought a very peculiar
gait. He addressed me in a familiar man.
ncr, and with an air of nonchQIance
said
Stranger, will take some of your
fire.
Certainly said I, and cigar too, if
you have no objections
Wall, replied he, I'm on the make,
stranger, and if you cam shove one of
them rale Hawauss on me, why tote her
along
| drew out my cigar case, and protfer-
cd him one ofmy best which he accepted,
ignted, and pulled at, with all the case
and elegance Of man of the world.
Bin long on this river, stranger? Z?
No. l answered, this is my first go,
am rather vcrdant yet in regard to wes-
tern life.
Oh. he replied laughing, l rather
guess you amt the greencst man about
these parts, if you aint twenty one
Fact is, like you; come let's il
quor
accepted the offer of my companion,
knowing that refusal would naturally
lead to an argument, and forced down
some all fired hot compound, labelled
brandy and it is good thing it was
labelled. else would have sworn it was
some kind of active poison-and even as
it was, l was half inclined to ask the bar
keeper if he ever did as the northern
druggists do-m0ke mistakes
When my friend paid the damage done
to the liquor, by the throwing down of
two dimes, we went to where was first
sitting. After moment he bit oft the
end Of his cigar. and, looking at me in
tently, said
Stranger, two gentlemen should never
travel without knowing one another's
names now what is yourn"
| handed him my card, containing my
name in full, to which he replied
Heard that name afore. likely amt
very uncommon. However, as I've no
kerds Of this sort aboard, III just sing out
it's Duplicate Dodge
Dodge = | exclaimed.
True as preachin'. Amt no relation
10 Dodge the funny man, though
Duplicate J. | answered, Singular
name, that; but suppose you are twin
brothcr-that is what you mean by du-
plicate'?'
No, that amt what mean. You see
I'm cripple-that is, one of my legs is
shorter than its fcllcr-so, when gets in
a fight, l plugs my man right from the
shoulder, and at the same time fetches
him kick with my game leg. The blow
and kick goes in company. The short
leg contains my best foot, and when I'm
fghtin' l always puts it forward The
fellers--that is, the sportin men--calls
that leg duplicate, and they calls me
Duplicate Dodge
Imust confess that his quaint style Of
explanation pleased me heartily, ana When
looked at his pleasant face and express
sivc eye, felt certain that Duplicate
Dodge, although gambler, was not the
worst fellow man might meet on the
western waters.
Do you know, stranger, said he that
when | see chap like you, | am remind
ed of feller l once ,'met at Louis
v'.e, at the races, who was orful anxious
to get chance TO bet on the sweat. He
was medical student, and had lots of
the needtul, a rich father, and thunder
in GOOD credit; but the young man
hadn't travelled. that is, he hadn't in q
legitimate and proper manner been put
through course Of sprouts He'd heard
something about the game, and when his
eye lit upon my fxins, he imagined he had
my pewter, sure. He was goin' in ON
the whole pile-nothin' could stop him,
he was so orful smart
. 1 had just got a couple of three shillin'
bets, and was losing the one and socking
the other, just keeping the game square
while l was waitin' for chances. Up
walked the student, and with an all pow
sFtul pert voice, sung out
Say, Mister, I'll 60 you considerable
on That speculation, if you'll stand my
Jist walk up, young man. said l,
and win my money ; you kin double and