Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-03-25
The Gamblers Coffin.

| One OF the richest nlatter-of-fact jokes came
off in this city few evenings since, that it has
| ever been our fortune to record. We are a very
poor story teller and have not the art OF embel-
fishing such things, to degree that will make
people either burst their sides a laughing, or
break off buttons from their pantatoons, or do
other bodily harm to themselves or clothing so
we shall content ourselves with the recital OF the
"plain unvarnished tale"
On the evening spoken of, one Of our hard
working mechanics cabinet maker and I'M
dertaker by profession and caling-casuaily
stepped into one of the gambling rooms of the
city, where several tables were in full tide of
successful operation. At one of these, the game
of monte was being played, at another the
''eagie bird by chance occasionally came up,
While the more sedate and quiet game of 'faro
was progressing at another. Our friend, the
undertaken looked ON awhile at each. He had
no idea Of betting when he entered the room
but the calm dignity of jim, the dealer, as he
deliberately pulled each card out of the little
silver box, and paid the losings, and gathered
in the winnings of the faro bank, at length
'tool'' the undertaken He became fascin-
ated, he could resist no longer, and having few
dollars in his pocket, he yielded as many other
men had done to temptation. So down he sat
at the table, and commenced ''bucking at the
tiger" For long time the contest was an even
one between the dealer and the undertaken, but
finally the former succeeded in cleaning the
latter out. But the undertaken did not like to
'glve it up so, and after some bargaining 1t
was finally agreed between them that the banker
should advance the undertaken thirty checks, if
he lost them, he was to pay a cotfin At it
again the two went, sometimes the bank was
ahead, sometimes the undertaker; but finally
the latter lost his last check and the bank
closed for the night.
Next morning. there was many hearty laugh
over the previous nights proceedings Jim went
through course of 'ssprouts upon the strength
''fatigued" Stretching himself at full length,
about six feet six, on his favorite table, he soon
snored away at a great rate. About this time,
noise was heard at the door, but the noise
ddt wake Jim, and the undertaken entered with
the coffin upon his shoulder Seeing his creditor
stretched out on the table, apparently breath
less, cold, and stiff, his first idea was that the
poor reckless wag was sure enough in the EN-
brace of death; but soon finding out that all was
right, he placed the coffin alongside of him, and
stepping out into an adjoining room, called to-
gether one or two friends, who soon procured
candles, which they lighted and placed, two at
his head and two at his feet, and closing the
doors and windows, quietly awaited the awaken
ing of the sleeper. In due course of time, this
thing came to pass and Jim slowly opening his
eyes, beheld the coffin and the tapers. Giving
start, he inquired of himself, ''am l dead
sure enough? l did not expect so soon to have
use for the undertakers coffin? ?" and was about
to get into it, and surrender up the ghost in
earnest, when several loud ha! has! brought
him to the full appreciation of the whole affair.
1t was unanimously decided that J i'm was ''sold,''
and then we left !-Pananaa Star.