Washington telegraph., 1854-11-15
VOL. XIV.
Night at the Gambling Table.
AN EPISODE OF REAL LIFE

boat on the MISSISSIPPI river, playing cards.
They had played from about 9 O'Clock in
the evening till near midnight. The par
ty consisted of four persons, two of whom
we're notorious gamblers, and the other two
we're frank unsuspecting countrymen who
had been to New Orleans to dispose of their
produce, and were returning home. At
near midnight one of the countrymen arose
from the table, saying to his partner:
'Luck's against US Bob! Might as well
try to beat the devil as these fellows"
"Oh, for Gods sake don't quit yet -
Give me some chance to get my money
back ~
"No, use, Bob, I'm nigh busted Pret-
ty near clean swept out
Despair seemed written on every Inca
ment of Bob's features, when he found that
he could not persuade his friend to play.
At last he said to several who had been
watching the game, won't some of you
gentlemen take my partners place %
There was a pause for few moments,
then young man scarcely one-and-twenty,
took the vacant seat. saying:
IF you have no objections I'll try my
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 then handed them back,
saying:
Il want pack of another color. These
are of the same color as those that they
have been playing with We might as we'll
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
Just as you like" said the gamblers
The stakes were doubled, and the stranger
and his partner won. 4 CLEAN Of sunshine
Illuminated Bob's countenance. Another
game was played Bob and bis partner were
again successful. The stakes increase-the
gamblers lose
bar keeper, bring US another pack of
cards, Of another color from these" said
the stranger who was about to deal
One of the gamblers looked at his part
ner, while dark frown overspresd his fea-
lures
Three more games were played, and Bob
had retrieved his losses. The stranger
again called fer another pack of cards. At
this one of the gamblers exclaimed
''No more changing! We play these !"
"Y ou play with what YOU please, replied
the young man, as an almost imperceptible
smile passed over his features ''but if my
partner and myself play, we must have an
other pack
Bob looked at his partner and then at
George.
Stick to what your partner says, Bob
He's of the right stripe, and will come cut
head horse, or I'm a niger ~ exclaimed
George, slapping Bob on the shoulder
Il agree to what my partner says" said
Bob, in reply to the gamblers look Of in
quiry.
The gamblers exchanged looks, and then
consented to the arrangements.
-Four more games were played, and each
time Bob and the stranger won.
1t was again the strangers deal One of
the gamblers watched him very closely, and
suddenly exclaimed
you young villain cheating
are you %
playing with you at your own game
have watched you all night, and saw you
cheat my partner and his friend. Even
GOw you have got dozen cards in the
sleeves of your coat. ] never play on the
square with thieves :" replied the stranger,
hastily, as a deadly paleness stole over his
features
A knife cleaned in the gamblers hand,
and, as the blow aimed at the stranger de-
scended, dozen cards fell from his sleeve on
the table This was noticed by all the by
standers. The stranger avoided the blow and
with rapid movement caught the assailant
by the throat giving his cravat a twist, and
they both rolled on the floor.
While this was taking place. the specta-
tors prevented the other gambler from in
terfering, and in the struggle number of
cards dropped from his coat. The social
hall was now scene of confusion.
Game clean girt, by thunder '" ex-
claimed George, as he with others separated
the combatants.
The gamblers face and breast were COW
cred with blood, as was also the young
strangers hand
HAS the white-livered thief stabbed you,
my young hickory ?" said George, as he
pulled the young man towards the light.
mo, guess not
But the blood dropped fast from the
young mans hand, and upon washing off
The blood, it was discovered that bis thumb
was nearly severed In the scuffle be sue
ceeded in disarming the gambler, and thus
probably saved his life The wound was
dressed and bound up, and the stranger re-
turned to the social hail. The gambler who
vas cha6ng with rage, eyed him with a de-