M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-11-13
.stlrtteo sturirs.
THRILLING ADVENTURE IN
A GAMBLING HOUSE.

1t was in the spring of 18- that
found myself gliding upon the waters
of the mighty Mississippi, and bound
for New Orleans.
With single exception, had form
ed 10 travelling acquaintance on board
the boat, although had been nearly
two days upon my journey, whicl, was
becoming somewhat monotonous. -
The individual with whom singu-
larly enough traternized, seemed like
myself to have but little inclination to
extend his acquaintance among the
passengers, though he seemed to be
constantly upon the lookout for some
one, and from the close manner in
which he regarded the operations OF
two or three Of the individuals, whose
profuse display of vest chains and
jewelry, and proficiency with cards at
the tables in the saloon, betrayed their
profession, more than once set him
down as some sort Of police detective
in disguise.
He called himself George Thorn, of
Kentucky; so his card read which he
gave me in exchange for mine. Full
six feet in height, a clear, intelligent
blue eye, broad forehead, and light
Gully hair, muscular arms, and the
chest Of Hercules, he challenged the
admiration of more than one of the
passengers, as with his serious and
never smiling face he paced the prom
enade deck, or sat apparently buried
in thought in the salone.
"Do you ever play at cards'" said |
to him, as he left group that were
Standing about table Of four players,
and noting the progress OF the game
had frequently seen him invited, but
invariably, like myself, refused to par.
ticipate in the game.
"Oh yes" said he, "but what is the
use of playing here; those fellows can
tell every card in the pack by the
backs, and they are trying hard to
pluck some poor pigeon from among
these passengers, but as yet with in
different success; beware of them,
sir"
thanked him for his friendly warn
ing, and at the same time expressed
my astonishment at his affirmation. -
To convince me of the truth of it, he
called the steward OF the boat, and
ordered him to bring him fresh pack
Of cards, which were brought and he
handed the pack to me, bidding me
shuttle them. | did so, when he I'M
mediately selected nearly every nee
and king from the pack, without look
ing at the face of them. Next, he
dealt them in two parcels, one to me
and one to himself, when, upon exam.
ination, found that all the cards Of
real value in the game were in his
hand, although | could not detect the
least untairness as he dealt them.
"You see, said he smiling at my
look OF establishment, "the advantage
an expert in these matters has over
even a skilltul player"
81 do indeed" replied |, astonished
at my fellow travellers dexterity, and
beginning to think he might be re-
formed gambler, or one playing pos
sum tor some purpose or other; but as
ne did not urge or even invite me to
play, nor had he played with any one
else, and threw the cards aside with an
expression of disgust too natural to be-
assumed, came to the conclusion that
my suspicious were unjust, and my
travelling acquaintance was a riddle
yet to be solved.
Early the next morning the boat ar
rived at New Orleans, and amid the
hurry and hustle OF debarkation | lost
my Eiend, the Kentuckian, not even
se0ing him to bid adieu. The same
eyenlhs. however, after visiting the