The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-01-08

lake II coolly, gentleman" SAID i.
" Do not speak after that fashion,
Gambling-swindling is the mans bust
ness. Let him speak of me as he lists
He has no conception of what acting
from principle means. | beseech you,
do not bet any more" continued, as
the Rigger re-arranged his cups.
Do you know which cup the little
ball is under?" said he, looking towards
me with his basilisk eyes,
eyes, do" | replied, for at that mo-
ment The sly trick of lifting one of the
cups was repeated BY the gentleman
on the extreme left of the semi-circle.
:. Then why don't you put down a
pound-ten pounds-ffty pounds-any
sum you please-if indeed, you have
any cash about you," resumed the Rig
ger, in his bantering tone.
F" | should certainly win, it," re-
piled, "but | would not touch it. if il
were multiplied a thousand fold"
"The gentleman is excusable, be-
cause he has no money" persisted the
Rigger. If any other gentleman is
more fortunate, he has chance to win
pound or two," again shifting the cups,
one of which was Immediately lifted
silly by the first loser, who stood on the
extreme right,
"Oh, do, sir, do loan me two pounds
on this watch, it is an excellent lever,
for which | paid six gnineas, entreated
loser No 2, addressing me.
! shook my head, whereupon he ad-
dressed my wife. "Please, madam, en-
treat~your husband to lend me two
pounds!"
even if desirous of success. should
not succeed" she replied. He has said
No, and in,vain you ask him. Please,
sir, desist from this terrible thing, she
continued, greatly excited by both
alarm and sympathy.
Nevertheless, he persisted in his en-
treaty. | am sure of success this time.
and ! pledge you my honor that will
stop as soon as win back what we have
lost.n ...
will wager pound," simultane-
ously exclaimed Nos. 8 and of the
group. as they saw No. reveal the little
ball by lifting the cup that covered IT,:
They won their wager. The trial
was several times repeated with an adj
verse result, the losers being mostly
blind, las thought,) in making choice
of the cup Within half an hour from
the commencement. every pound in
possession of such as were disposed to
engage in the game, passed 10 the
Purse of The Rigger. was RQsitiue that
The result would ffave been directly the
reverse. had taken the matter in hand.
eff there be no more funds among
you,D said the gamester. we may as
well adjourn" Whereupon he arose
from the ground, and pnt the little
board, cups and ball into his pocket with
an air betitting his cold. satirical de-
meanor throughout; and the heeced
ones looked so chop p-fallen. as the group
slowly separated, that | sincerely pitied
them.
At this instant two policemen sud-
denly appeared in view around The cor
ner Of the rock Stepping smartly up
TO them. " Is gambling allowed on these
premises ?" said !.
q It is not was their reply. "Haye
you lost any moneFE
No, sir; never gambled in any
way" was my response: that man
has swiudIed several Of these gentlemen
out of considerable sums by his three
shells and little ball"
The offender was Immediately taken
into custody, and marched of Oh the
back track. in company with the party
from No. to No 5 inclusive, (as wit
nesses against him | presumed) my
self and family being left to pursue our
walk alone. Meeting a citizen. from
whom we had received some attention
he day previously. narrated the fore
going incidents. He laughed heartily,
and assured Us that the FIVE swindled
gentlemen twhom | described were
we'll known confederates of the Thin
Bile Rigger! ~. sa
We were certainly "greenhorns"-
exceedingly g green n-for we had not
the slightest suspicion of duplicity-|
yet the whole arrangement was de-
signed to defraud me I it was all plain
enough, afterwards, and | am willing
to be laughed at-nevertheless, | must
insist that the acting of these confede-
rates was among the most natural ex-
hibiiions | have ever witnessed. No
hing but steadfast adherence to prin-
siples saved me from sin, loss and shame
--for was certain repeatedly, that
Knew where the little ball was. saw
t without possibility Of mistake-yet
my sum | might have wagered in the
game would inevitably have been lost,
or the Rigger knew what he was about,
ind could remove the ball at pleasure,
~ slight Of hand, The dupe being not a
Whit the wiser.
The lesson of bis recital will, trust,
,e of service. Let no one yield 10
rambling of any sort Even when
airly conducted thu chances are with |
be professional samester; 10 which /
nay be added that cheating is not Pc
uliar to the Thimlle Rigger
Sad Effect Of sLoss.-A correspondent
t the Knickerbocler says:
II is my duty TO impress upon you the
eFtain fact that oue-half of our young
lox,., a. -