Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-11-24
Mistellanfous.
A Night at she Gaming House.
AN EPISODE OF REAL LIFE

III tile year loO-y party "cIe oeaNSu
around table in the social hall ofa steam
boat on the Mississippi playing cards
They had played from about 0 O'Clock in
the evening till near midnight. The party
consisted OF four persons, two Of whom were
notorious gamblers, and the other two were
frank. unsuspecting countrymen who had
been to New Orleans to dispose Of produce,
and were returning home AT near mid
night, one Of the countrymen arose from the
table, saying TO his partner:
"Luck's against US, Bob! Might as web
try to beat the devil himself as these fel-
lows"
"Oh, for Gods sake don't qui. yet! Give
me some chance 10 get back my money!"
mo use Bob. I'm nigh busted! Pretty
near clean swept out"
Despair seemed written on every Inca
ment of Bob's features, when he found that
he could not pursuade his friend 10 play.
AT last he said 10 several who had been
watching the game, "won't some of you
gentlemen take my partners place!"
There was pause for few moments
then young man, scarcely one-and-twen-
ty, took the vacant seat, saying:
"lf you have no objections, I'll try ny
hand"
agreed" was the reply.
"Here, bar-keeper, give us another pack
Of cards." said the young man.
Another pack WAS brought, the stranger
opened them and handed them back, say
ing:
II want pack Of another color. These
are the same color as those they have been
playing with. We might as well change
the color just for luck"
The gamblers exchanged glances.
Another pack was brought; the game
commenced, and the gamblers won. Bob
grew uneasy. .,.
"Come, let's double the stakes!" said the
stranger, whose turn it was to deal.
"Jus, as you like said the gamblers.
The stakes were doubled, and the stran
ger and his partner won. A gleam Of sun
shine ilumined Bob's countenance. An
other game was played. Bob and his com
lpanion were again successful. The stake'
increase-,he gamblers lose.
| "Bar-keeper, bring us another pack o
cards. of another color from these" said tn
stranger who was about TO deal.
; One Of the gamblers looked at his part
ner while dark frown overspread his fea
lures.
Three more games were played, and Bol
had relieved his losses The stranger sgail
called for another pack of cards. AT thi
one Of the gamblers exclaimed
. "No more chsngingl We play will
thesep'
"You play with what you please" repll
!. ed the young man, as an almost impercep
tible smile passed over his countenanct
"but il my partner and myself play, "
mus, have another pack"
Bob looked at his partner and then
George.
: "SIick to what your partner says. Bob
/, He's the right stripe. and Will come ev
d head horse, or I'm a nigger!" exclaine
George, slapping Bob on the shoulder.
81 agree to what my partner says" sal
Bob in reply to the gamblers looks Of IL
quiry.
/. The gamblers exchanged looks, stfd slfe
consented TO the arrangement
Four more games we're played, and eac
time Bob and the stranger won.
1t sas the strangers deal One Of th
samblers watched him closely, and suddel
y exclaimed
"You----young villainl Cheating al
d youp
"Plsying with you at your game. ha'
= watched you all night, and saw you chez
my partner and bis friend. Even now yc
have got dozen cards in the sleeves
;, your coat. never play on square vii
thievesl" replied the stranger, hastily, as
deadly paleness stole over his features
A knife cleaned in the gamblers han
: and. as the blow aimed al the stranger d
:. seended, dozen cards fell from his sleev
" on the table. This was noticed by all Il
by ISLANDERS. The stranger avoided q
: blow. and with a rigid movemen, caught h
4, assailant by the throat, giving bis crayas