The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-13
THE YOUNG MAN
WHO WENT TO TOWN TO LIVE.
For the National Era.
A STORY, BY ALICE CAREY.


"'Spose, now, brother, you give in your ex-
perieuce, and done with it-you'd make =
mighty good exhorter, you would"
AS | said sfore," resumed the middle-aged
player, "you may spot me a infidel or a anything
you like-but believe in giving the devil his
due, and think like enough some of them poor
critters that have gone wading up in the mud
10 that are meeting house to night, are jest as
good as you and me be; and another thing I'm
IL favor of, snd that is in payin' the fair card !;
and alters do, especially with the unedicated
sad acknowledgement, if that amt enough, old
hiss, III give you more to stuff your ribs with.
Ny eyes have been a shining into you q good
while and they have seen some things that /
won't dirty my hands with jest now-but, mind,
tell you if you ever rinegs again in playing
With Charley Boffman, or whatsomever else his
name is, I'll thrash the whitewash off from your
little carcass with the fust hoop-pole l can lay
holt Of"
I'm afeard, boys, am" replied the old
man, making sorry attempt at laughter; "but
what's the use, brother, of spiing all the fun
with this sass o yourn-but ole Billy Black
amt the man to be givin' up true friends in a
hurry; so less divide the pot, and try another
pull and my gray mare against Davy's wust to-
bseeo pipe, if we don't git the twelve best
games in twenty. Come, boys, you going to
accede? ?"
I'm ready for you," said David Marshall,
scratching match along the shutter, and light
ing new cigar. "Come, Bubby, just half try,
now. Give US a specimen that's only half wor-
thy of your genius, and old Billy's gray mare
will be browsing in my flower garden before he
Is ten hours older. Cut for deal, Sledgeham-
mer this child goes in for euchre."
We'll, III be blowed if l care" said the old
man. "Mabe you play sitter game at eu-
chr. something mere improving to youthful
mind than anything you have obfuscated yet.
Our deal, by the great captain of all the steap-
ooas!' And the old man arose and tossed his
nal into the air, after which he dr." one leg
? ~ ,.VyL~i, ---I unen stretched il out very
straight, at the same time drawing his mouth into
variety of contortions, indicative of intense
qelght-all OF which ended in the exclamation,
tive US your paw, Judge, and less now les
play Tor sweet charity's sake, and show old Rye
ana Blindstreet game of euchre as is q game
o. eueire!" And he reached small rag of
aand, gittering with rings, toward the middle
Ssed man he Lad called Judge" Jest now
YOU stop your boss snd git down, you old brag
Sing rlilraf. I'll les bet anything top of the
ground, Bubby and can beat you till you can't
SIC out of your eyes, Come, Blindstreet-wake
up man what in the almighty name of thun.
urr are you cogitating about tonight? Give
US your hand, and let as blow 'em into trumps."
ana SEEING the cards, still untouched on the
SnlI'tsr, before the young man designated as
ipuOoy. and BEndstreet, he blew upon them with
us breath, and gave them some nimbie turns
and twists, which, he said, changed every blasted
20 cue Z, OF the cards into right bower; and "one
u Men, he added faeotiously, "will gener-
any take trick, if it's well played"
nj this nightly repeated joke, the old man
rev one leg, as before, bnt varied the demon,
s~anon 10y series of snaps of the thumb end
niger instead of tossing up the old felt hat,
mat vas usually mashed against the right side
!, ais gray head, or rather brown wig. 1t would
lave been esteemed a breach of etiquette in
cls party we write of, for one member to speak
~, T.or ADDRESS another by lis proper name; hence
T S4e various appellatons Of "Judge," "Your
once,' odd Bye" "Bubby," &c. This last
Sognomen had been bestowed on the absent-
minded young man, in consideration of his
sOGntry breeding, youth, and modesty. twas
Hhi' very lately he had risen to the dignity Of
Seing Enown as "Blindstreet"-a name derived
rom the dark alley against which stood Mr..
Don mans iosse, and where the steep stairs
wen, up to the gable. He has not yet-poor
sIcIn taken that high degree in wickedness
" 'n.ch entities him to the hoasrable appelation
81, ole Cuss," enjoyed by the distinguished
Soe'or member of the club.