Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-03-15
A NIGHT IN "A GAMING HOUSE.

IN tne year 100, party were seated
arotfhd tsble in the spacious hall steam
boat on the Mississippi playing cards. They
had played from about nine in the evening till
about midnight The party consisted of four
persons, two ofWhom we're notorious gamblers
and the other two were returning home. At
near midnight, one Of the countrymen arose
rom the table, saying TO his partner: ~
"Luck's against us Bob Might as we'll try
10 beat The devil, as these fellowsw
."Oh, for Gods sake don't quit yet Give
me some chance TO get back my money :" .
''No use Bob, Pm nigh busted Pretty near
clean swept out" .'..
Despair seemed written on every lineamenl
of Bob's features, when lie found that he
could not persuade his friend TO play.
Al last he said to several who had been
watching the game, won't some of you gentle.
men take my partners place.
There was pause for few moments, then
ayoung man scarcely one-snd-twenty, took
the vacant seat saying: .s-l
|'lf you have no objectionS,Pn Try hand"
"Agreed !" was the reply.
''Here bar keeper, give us another pack, oil
cards" said the young man.
Another pack was bronght; The stranger
opened them and handed them back again
saying: I'D T,t
al want pack OF another color. These
are the same color as those they hBve been
playing with. We might as well change colol
for'luck." 30" = 'oa iat -. ...
The gamblers exchanged glsnces.
Another pack was brought, the game com.
hnehced, and the gsmblers wop. Bob grew
eneasy. '''1 s7.. 81. .
"Come' let's double the stakes p said The
stranger whose turn il was 10 deal. ~r
"Just as you like"
The Stnkes were doubled and the stranger
end his partner won. Agleam of sunshine H.
Illuminated Bob'scountenance. Another game
was played. Bob and his partner sgan sue,
cessful. The stakes incIease-lhe gamblers
lose.
"Rarkeeper. bring us another pack OF card.
ofanother color from these" said The stran.
ger who was abou, to deal.
One of the gamblers looked at his partner
while dark frown overspread his features.
Three more games were played, and Bot
had retrieved his losses. The. stranger agair
called for another pack OF cards. At this one
ofthe gamblers exclaimed:
"No more changing We play with these
"You play with what you please" replied
smile passed over his eaures--"b6t if M
partner and myself play, we must have an
other pacF.." '-"
hob looked a, his partner, and then a
George. a s| ...
'"Stick TO what your partner says, Bob
He'sthe right stripe, and will come out heat
horse or Pm nigger" exclaimed Georg,
shaping Bob on The shoulder.
d.. /,
Bob in reply 10 he gamblers looks OF inquiry
The gamblers exchanged look and then con
GeJed TO the arrangement. %.
-Four more games were played, and eacl
time Bob and the stranger won.
= Itw6s again the strangers deal. One o
The gamblers aicled him closely, and sud
denly eXclaimed- -.
"You-young villain! Cheating are YOU ,
~ "PlayiDg with you at your own game.
have been watching you all night, and saw
you cheat my partner and his friend. Even
now you have got half dozen cards in tn
sleeve Of your coat. never play on tb'
square with theiyes p replied the stranger
hastily, as deadly paleness stole over hi
features. 't ~ @%ti
Aknfe cleaned in the gamblers hand, an,
as the blow aimed al the stratgsr descended,
doZen cares Tell irOm blSSleeVes on the laD'e
This was noticed Gyall the by-standers. Tn
stranger avoided tie blot, and with 9 rigir
Jplovement caught the asssilant by the throat
giving his crayat twist, and they bothIole'
upon the floor.
While this was taking place. The spectators
prevented the other gambler from interfering
and in the struggle number Of cards dropped
fiom his coat. This social hall was now
scene OF confusion.
"Game, clear grit, by thunder" exclaimed
George, as he with others separated the com
bataH.S.
g The gamblers face and hands were cover
ed with blood as was that Of the young strap
gers hand. a.. .u.i.... ...
8 "HaS the white. .livered theft stabbed you
my young hickory 7" said George, as he pulle,
the young man toward the light.
"No, guess not" ....,,. ........
+ But the blood dropped fast from the younI
maIfs hand, and upon. washing of the bloQt
il was discovered that his right thumb wa
,nesrly severed. In the scufle he su ceedec
in disarming the gambler and thus probably
saved his life. 0tl-r .r.s. .--.