Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-04-05
AT9rilling shcttb,
ALA 1A IA BILL.
GAMBLERS FATE.

alabama BIZ was man Of about fifty
years of are--tall, powerfully built with "a
deep. set. black and piercing eye, which. sha-
ded by heavy, dark eyebrows, gave to his
features sinister and wicked expression.-
He was native Of the State of Alabama. hut
had passed large portion Of his life in the
city of Mexico, gambling, where he received
the "sobrqret" Of Alabama Bill" An ex-
pert monte dealer, and az fat in all the
fnesse Of the game. he amassed n consiAera-
BILE fortune; but being of rowing disposition
hs visited Rio de Janiero, Valparaiso. Lima.
and other South American cities, and landed
in California with onlya few thousand dollars
left
1t was dark and rainy day. in the winter
OF 80. A large number OF persons were con-
erogated around the monte table Of Alabama
Bill" in the Eureka, at H. Bar, on the
Tuolumne river. An old miner by the name
of Harris. was betting early in the morning,
with bad luck, and already hundreds of dol
lars hsd passed from his pockets into Bills
bank.
The old man was seated at the end Of the
table, slightly intoxicated, with one hand
resting on large buckskin bag, containing
several thousand dollars. the other graspng
! nervously halGGlled glass Of whiskey. Not
word was spoken as the game went ON
! Usrris had two Thousand dollars "staked' on
n card, as he watched. with eager look, the
motions Of Bill, who without the least excite
,nent visible on his cold stern features, slowly
drew OF the cards.
! I've won this time I" exclaimed Harris
rs his card turned M first. Ny luck has
! turned up now, and I'll get back MI I've lost,
pna more too, before am done with Won"
A slightly perceptIn'e suner vas the only
repIy of Biz as he iciyuro'y changed his
deck Of c0rds, and proceeded to shuttle
them.
"l'!l bet four thousand dollars, the king
beats tho six" said Harris As new clay
! out" was made. placing his bag Of dust on
the king. There's nothing like pressing
ones luck"
The crowd ofbystooders looked silently or
Ne dealing continued.
The ak waa.
"l've lost" said Harris; "that devilish
six has beat me. Give me some more whis
key"
A glass two thirds full was handed him
which he drank at draught
There's that cursed king again." he ex
claimed, as the dealer gracefully threw tht
king and queen on the table.
"The king always beats the queen,"-ex
claimed he; there's two thousand dollar
moie in that bag, and here's specimen whicl
weighs ten ounces. ] will bet it all on th
king, if lose that am broke"
} A strange expression flashed across tn
features of Bill, who drew the cards off in
slow and careless manner, as though the sun
at stake was but few dollars. His franz
was agitated with excitement. Rising fron
his seat, and leaning partly over tho table
he watched anxiously the motions Of tn
; dealer.
The king lost
"Ha ha /! I'm broke !" he laughsd, as h
staggered out into the middle of the room
the crowd making way for him on eithe
side.
+, Bill coolly placed the bag of dust in th
bank, and made another "lay OUT but a
I there were nc more bettors, he placed tn
> cards in small box and lighting ciga
leaned back in his chair.
Harris went up to the bar. called for anC
thar glass of whiskey, drank it, and the
turned towards the door.
!, IL say old fellow, you got broke, didn
= you" said tall, rough-looking man to hin
: as he staggered past.
"And what business is that to you, il
did 2" replied Harris, turning around and Fl
cling him. "l'ye right to lose my own MOI
l. ey, haven't 7"
"Oh, certainly" answered the other, cooll
= "provided you lose it fairly"
"Fairly !" exclaimed Harris, edo You pr,
!, tend to say that didn't lose my money iai
y lyf'
The crowd now began to gather around Ii
two speakers.
: "Certainly," said the tall man, with Il
most imperturable GOODNESS, "he pulled wake
cards on you"
"Then I'll have my money hack again
1 exclaimed Harris. hoarssly aud be went I
wards ths table,