Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-11-24


cred with blood. as was also the seung
strangers hand.
"Has the white livered thief stabbed you,
my young hickory ?" said George as he pul.
led the young man towards the light.
"No, guess not"
But the blood dropped fast from the
young mans hand, and upon washing off
the blood, twas discovered that his right
thumb was nearly severed. In the sculhe
he succeeded 10 disarming the gambler, and
thus probably saved his life. The wound
was dressed and bound up, and the stranger
returned to the social hall. The gambler,
who was chafing with rage, eyed him with
demoDiac look, and shaking his fist at him.
exclaimed
IL allow no man to call me thief, and
you must give me satisfaction"
"l will give you any satisfaction you
want, you cowardly cut-throat," was the
reply.
"And it you can't. I'm the chap that
will" exclaimed George, throwing off his
coat and hat.
"Good, my young Dsvy but the fellow is
big enough to swallow you"
"Yes; but may be he can't digest me-"
at wouldn't be fair fight" interposed sew.
eral by-standers.
"Well; there's something that nuli6es
brute force and places all on equal footing"
"That's the talk, Davy. You sfe my
man." exclaimed George, slapping the
stranger on the back
"He's right" said one of the by ISLANDERS,
a man about forty years old, stepping for
ward.
"The young man is right, and I am his
friend in The matter It's as clear as day,
and the affair can soon be settled"
This speaker had been major in the Tex
as Revolution, and he led the stranger down
the cabin towards his stale-room, telling the
gambler to have matters arranged within
fifteen minutes. When they reached the
stste-room, the Major said:
"How is it that a person of your age un-
derstands so much about cards as 10 beat
these old gamblers ?"
Curiosity led me 10 study them; but
never play but for amusement Most, il moi
all the tricks. learned Of fellow boarder,
who had spent a great deal of his time at
the gambling table. / noticed that these
honest countrymen had been swindled. and
thought it would be an act Of charity II
beat gamblers with their own weapons, and
recover the money for my partner and his
friend Every time noticed the gamblers
secrete cards, called for another pack OF
cards Of different color; and watched them
too closely to give them chance to chea,
me in deal. They did not suspect until
near the finish of our play. You know the
rest"
"Pre,ty good but do you think that you
could face that fellows FIRE? He is an old
bend at the business"
"But he's a coward, or he would no
have drawn knife on me. Yet. if it car
be avoided, would rather not meet him
would not like TO have him meet his death
at my hands, nor would like to sacrifice
my own life for SO unworthy apurpose."
at is too late to back out now"
"Cant it be settledW
"No! e you refuse to meet him every
one will pronounce you a coward
"Well. if it must be, suppose it must
but have no weapons"
"Never mind that; have apair Of duel
ling pistols. and so if you have any arrange
ments. to make, be about it. for the time i
short, and the affair shou d be settled be
fore il gets noised about the boat. I'll Sc,
to the other matters"
"Stay make the distance short"
"Only the breadth Of the boat"
= $50 saying, the young man went to hi
own state room, but soon returned an
seated himself by table in the cabin an
commenced writing. His face was pale
: deadly pale--but there was fxedness c
: features which at once told that his min
was made up. A tear coursed down hi
cheek as he wrote-but probably that tea
was for those far away. yet still to memor
dear. Strange thoughts fitted throug
his mind-so young. and yet to stand o
u the brink of death-to make one feartu
plunge into that dark, unknown river, an
: to be carried by its current out into tn
: ocean of eternity to return home no NOR
!. A life time passed in view in moment
Yet the genii said, "Go on-too latel" L
;. die, or kill--either was DR. adful reflection
" Yet the proud passions Of youth would NJ
submit to reflection. 1t must be done, an
: the sooner it is over the better--so reasoI
y y ed passion, and passion triumphed. Whe
q he had finished his writing, he gave il
j., the Major. requesting him to follow the d
q rections which he would find in note al
J. dressed to himself. in case he should fall
Also to give his winnings to George
u make up for the loss be had sustained.
h Then they went upon the upper deck
=" the boat II was a calm still night, q
). moon shone forth in all its pale splendc
:. - AS FAR as the eye could reach nothing b.
frosts and water met the gaze. The DO
% had Just rounded for the purpose OF WOO
" ing, and when it was again under wa
>. the young stranger, his second and thr
!. other persons. anxiousIy awaited the a
!" ~ proach of the gambler. Scarcely wo
"s - was spoken-none felt disposed TO distu
n ~ the silence that reigned. Half an no
y ! passed. the gambler came not. II was nc
suggested that some one should 60 in scar
Of him. The messenger soon returned al
O. reported that both gamblers had left 4
o. boat at the woodward. When the you