Squatter sovereign., 1856-03-18
Nliistellarreous.
ALABAMA BILL;
THE GAMBLERS FATE.

| NV SSolS Va oSO, losi, Po"Ciioiiy Duiiss
with jet black piercing eye, which, sha-
ded by heavy, dark eyebrows, gave to
his features a heavy expression. He was
native of Alabama, but had passed a
large portion of his life in the city of Mex
leo, gambling, where he received the
soubriquet, alabama Bill" Being an
expert monta-dealer, he amassed con-
siderable fortune, bat having rowing dis
position he visited the Rio JaneIro cities,
and landed in California with but few
thousand dollars.
1t was dark rainy day in the winter of
1850. A large crowd ofpersons had con-
gregated around the monta table of .Ala-
bama Bill" in the Eureka, at Bids Bar,
on the Toulumme River An old miner ma
med Harris was betting heavily. He had
commenced early in the morning, with bad
luck, and already hundreds of dollars had
passed from his pocket into Bills bank.
The old man was seated at the end of
the table, slightly intoxicated, with one
| HaIu 1GStlIlS Oll SOi1ioii1iilS
several thousand dollars, the other grasp
ing nervously half-flled glass of whis-
key. Not word was spoken as the game
went on. Harris had two thousand dollars
'.staked' on single card. and he watch
ed with eager look the motions Of Bill,
who, without the least excitement visible
on his cold features, slowly drew off the
cards.
"I've won this time :" exclaimed Har-
is, as his card turned up first, "and I'll
get all I've lost and more too, before I'm
done with YOU
A slight sneer was the only reply ofBill
as he leisurely changed his deck of cards
and proceeded TO shuttle them.
''I'll bet four thousand dollars the King
beats the Six" said Harris, as new ''lay
out" was made, placing his bag of dust on
the King. '.There's nothing like pressing
ones luck
The crowd of by standers gazed silently
on, as the dealing continued.
The six won
ave LOST" said Harris, "that devilish
six beat me. Give me some whiskey."
A glass two thirds full was handed him
which he drank at draught.
"There's that cursed King again" he
exclaimed, as the dealer gracefully threw
the King and the Queen on the table.
"The King always beats the Queen
There's two thousand dollars more in that
bag" he exclaimed, "and here's speci-
men that weighs ten ounses-I bet all OH
the King. If 1 loose that I am broke.
A strange expression flashed across the
features of Bill who drew the cards off in
slow manner, as though the sum at stake
was but a few dollars. Not so with Harris,
his frame was agitated with excitement.
Rising from his seat and leaning partly
over the table, he watched enviously the
dealer.
The King lost
ala Ha I'm broke - he laughed, as
he staggered into the middle of the room,
the crowd making way for him on either
side.
Bill coolly placed the bag of dust in the
bank, and made another ''iay out" but
there was no more betters, and placed the
cards in small bag, and lighting cigar
leaned back in his chair.
Harris went up othe bar called for an
other glass of whiskey, drank it, aud tur-
ned towards the door.
| 81 say, old fellow, you got broke did'n,
you, said a tall, rough-looking man as he
staggered past.
''And what business is that to YOU If 1
ibid =" said Harris, turning round and
facing him, "I've right to loose ny mon
ley, amt l."
"Certainly,' answered the other, pro-
vided you loose it fairly"
"Fairly, do you pretend to say didn't
loose my money fairly e.
i The crowd began to collect around the
1.-TWO speakers.
| Certainly, said the tall man he pulled
wax cards on you.'
"Then by G.. I'll have my money back
again. exclaimed Harris, and he went to-
wards the table.
| Bill sat quietly smoking during this
conversation. betraying not the slightest
emotion, although keen observer nigh,
have seen. as Harris approached, his hand
igrasping the handle of the pistol concealed
in one of his. pantaloons pockets.