Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-12-13
Nllsrcllou>ous
From the Golden Era.
TEEE GAMBLER,S FATE.
BY OSCAR.


features sinister and wicked expression.--
He was native of The State Of Alabama, but
rad passed large portion Of his life in lie
cry Of Mexico, gambling, where lie received
the subriquei Of "Alabama Bill" An experl
monte dealer and Ou fail in all the fnesSe Of
'he game, he amaSSed considerable fortune ;
but being Of rowing disposition, he visitet!
Slo de Janeiro, Valparaiso, Lima, and o,her
South American cities, landed IN California
with but few thousand dollars left.
1t was dark and rainy day, in the winter
Of 80. A large crowd of persons had con-
gregaied around the monte table of"A labama
Bill" in tie Eureka, at H Bar, on the
TuolGmne river. An old miner, by the name
Of Harris, was betting heavily He had com
menced playing early in the morning, with
bad luck, and alIeady hundreds Of dollars had
passed from his pockets into BilPs bank.
The old man was sc 0ted at the era Of the
able, slightly intoxicated, with one hand rest
ing on large GuckSkin bag containing sever
al thousand dollars, the other grasping nerv-
Ou>Iy halI-iIIled glass of whiskey. Not a
VOID was spoken as the game went on. Har
tlS had lwO thousand dollars "Slaked" on n
card and he watched with eager looks the mo
liUnS Of Bill, who without the least excite
ment visible on his cold, stern features, slow
ly drew or the cards.
"i've Hon this time !" exclaimed Harris, as
his caid nrncd fist; 'my luck has turned
now, and I'll get lack all l'ye lost and more
too, before Pm done with you"
A Slight percep'bIe Sneer. was the only Ie
plE OF Bllt, as he cSurely changed his deck
Of cards, and proceeded 10 shuttle them.
81 i'll BET four thousand dollars tie king
beaS tie SiX," SAID Harris, as a new 'lay out
was made placing his bag Of dust on the
king. "TheIes noIhin' like pressing ones
luck"
Tie crowd Of by-sianders looked silently
on as the dealer continued.
The six won
"l'ye lost that devish six has Leat me-
Give me more whSkey."
A & Ass two.tLitlS full was handed him,
which lie drank at draught.
"Theres that cursed king again." he ex-
claimed as the dealer gracefully threw the
king and Queen on the table.
"Ghe king always beats lie Queen. There
is two thousand dollars more in the bag" ex.
claimed he, "and here is specimen which
weighs ten ounceS-l bet il ali on the king
! If lose that am Lroke.'
A strange Expression flashed across the fea
iuTeSof Bill, who drew the calds off in slow
and careless manner, as though the sum Of
stake was but few dollars. Not so with
| Harris; his frame was agla'ed with excite.
ment. Rising from his seat and leaning par.
, ly over the table, lie watched anxiousIy the
motions Of the dealer.
The king lost
CHA! ha I'm broke" he laughel a he
staggered out into the middle of the ro-m, t. t
crowd making way for him on either side.
Bill cooliy placed the bag Of dust in tht
bank and made another LAY out;' but as there
WAS nC bciierS, he placed the cards in a sinai
boz, and lighting a cigar, leaned back in hi,
chair.
HAMS went up 10 the bar, called for auoth
er glass OF wnSkey, drank i, and then turned
and went towards tie door,
al say, old fellow, you got broke, didn'
YOU :" sand Il tall rough-iooking man TO him.
as he Staggered past.
| "And what business is that 10 you if | didY
| replied Harris, turning round and facing him
"i've night 10 lose my own money havr'l |?
cob, certainty" answered the other, cool
~ "provided you loose il fairly"
"FarIy" exclaimed Harris; edo you pre-
lend 10 say didn't lose my money, fairly"
The crowd now began 10 collect arounl The
Two speakers.
"Certanly," said the tall man, with tb,
most impuriurbable coolnesS; che pulled wa,
cards on you"
"Then, by Cd, I'll have my money
back agaln!" exclaimed Harris hoarsly; an
he went towards the table.
Bill sat quietly smoking during this conver
sation betrayed not the slightest emotion al
though keen observer might have seen, q.
Harris approached, his hand grasped the han
die Of small pistol conceiled in one Of hi
pantnloons pockets.
Harris walked up 10 the table, and lookin:
Sav0gcly at Bill, said:
''Look here, sir, You have cheated me-yor
must give me back my money"
"HOu cannot touch one cent Of that money
replied Bill, coldIy pointing to The bank.
"We'lI see about that" said Harris, and a,
he spoke he seized hold Of the bag of dust
which was still in The bank.
Island back! he's going TO shoot! cried sew
eral voices. There was hurried rush ant
old I'arrS fell 10 the floor a--curps.
So quick and unexpected had been The
deed, that the by standerS stood horror struck
and made no effort 10 arrest Bill, who as Sool
as he discharged his pistols, leaped over The
prostra;ed body Of Harris, and fed out The
door.
A few seconds the terrified crowd gazed OF
one another then there was a wild shout
and twenty men rushed out arerthe murderer
who was darling along The TOAD with lghtnin!
speed towards the river.
Then came a fearful race between tie pur
sued and the purSueEs Bill, being power
ful man, ran with great rapidiiy, and woult
evidently, from appearance, out-strip them an,
escape. e needed not the loud cries 70
vengeance which rang out from the excilet
crowd behind him. His object was 10 eros
the river, reach thick wood opposite, an,
then, aided by its shade and the darkness o
night which wos fast approaching 10 elud
them. He was gaining on his pursuers-th
distance between them grew wider and wider
and already imagined his escape certain, wheI
noise smo:e upon his ear more terrible
than the loud cries Of those following him.
II was the roar of water. The heavy rail-
had swollen the river 10 a tremendous height
and os he turned bend in the road, the boil
ing torrent rushed furiousiy alonga few yards
in front Of him.
The bridge had been swept away Then
Tor the first time, cry Of anguish broke from
The lips OF the murderer, as he saw his onl!