The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-03-23
Slit aatrrrstjug 5turlI.
q Hght at the Gam ing House.
AN EPISODE OF REAE LIFE.

had played from about 8 o'cloekin the eve
ming till near midnight. The party consis-
I ted of four persons, two of whom were notori-
ous gamblers, and tho other two were frank,
unstsspccting countryrnen who had been to
New Orleans to dispose of 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 himself as these fcl-
lows ~
"Oh, for Gods sake don't quit yet ! Give
me some chance to get back my money ~
"No lrsc, Dob, Pm' nigh busted! Pretty
near clean swept. out" -l-
Despair seemed written on every lincamcnt
of Bob's feature, when he found that he could
not persuade his friend to play.
At last he said to several who had been
watching the play, "won't somo Of YOU gcu-
tlcmcn take my partners place"
There was 4 PAUSE for n few moments,
then q young man, scarcely oue-and twenty,
took the vacant, seat saving:
"If you have no objections, III ry my
hand"
agreed Wwas the reply.
Here, bar keeper, giveus another. pack
of cards" said the young man.
Another pack was brought; the stranger
opened them and handed them back, saying:
d want pack of another color. These
are the same color rs those they have been
playing with. We might Us well change
the color just for luck"
The gambler exchanged glanccs.
Another pack was brought; the game
commenced, and the gamblers won. Bob
grew uneasy.
"Comc 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. a CLEAN Of sunshine
illuminated Bobs countcnance. Another
game was played and Bob and his partnc?
were again successful. The stakes increase
the gamblers lose. n.
"l5ar 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 ut the other
while Il dark trown overspread his features
Thrce more games were played, and Bob
had retrieved his losses. The stranger call
ed for another pack of cards. At this one
of the gamblers exclaimed
"No more changing We play with
| these ~
"You play with what you please replied
the young man, as an almost impcrccptiblc
smile passed over his features, but if my
partner and myself play, We must have au-
other pack"
Bob looked at his partner nnl then ut
George.
"SLick to what your partner says, Bob.
He's the right stripe, and will come ont
head horse, or I'm Il niggcr" exclaimed
George, slapping Bob on the shoulder.
II agree to what my partner says" said
Bob, i'll reply to the gamblers looks Of inqui-
ry.
The gamblers exchanged looks, and then
consented to She arrangement.
-Four moro more games were played, and
each time Bob and the stranger won.
1t was again the strangers deal. One of
the gamblers watched him closely, and sud
denly exclaimed
"You--young william! Cheating are
you" ?"' .--- ..
"Playing with you at your own game.
have watched you playing all night, and saw
you cheat my partner and his friend. Even
now you have got dozen cards in the
sleeves ofyour coat. ! never play on a,square
with thieves !" replied IT, stranger, hastily,
as q deadly palcncss stole over his features,
a knife CLEANED in the gamblers hand,
and, rs the blow aimed at the stranger de-
sccnded, n dozen cards fell from his sleeves
on the table. This was noticed by all the
by~standers. The stranger avoided the blow,
and with arigid movement caught the as
sailant 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
interfering. and in the struggle number of
cards dropped from his coat. The social hall
was now q scene of confusion.
"Game clear grit, by thunder" exclaim-.
cd George, as he with others separated tho
combataiits. .. W
The gambler's,face and breast were cover
cd with blood, rs was also the young stran-.
gers hand, Es.Ft $780,.
"Has the whitc.livered thief stabbed YOU,
my young hickory" said George as he phil
cd the young man towards the-ight.
"No, Iguess not" 6
But the blood dropped fast from the
young mans hand, and upon Washing of the
blood. it was discovered that his right thumb
-