Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1856-03-01
A Night at the Gaming Table.
AN EPISODE OF REAL LIFE.


steamboat on the Mississippi, playing
cards. They had played from about,9
o'clock in the evening till near mid
night. The party consisted Of four per.
sons, two of whom were notorious gam
blers, and the other two were frank, un-
suspecting countrymen who had been to
New Orleans to dispose of produce, and
were returning home. At near mid
night, one of the eountrymep arose from
the table, saying to his partner:
'Luck's against US, Bob! Might as
we'll try to beat the devil himself as these
fellowsr
oh, for Gods sake, don't quit yet =
Give me some chance to get back my
money!
No use. Bob, I'm nigh busted Pret-
tv near clean swept out
Despair seemed written on every
lineament Of Bob's features, when he
found that he could not persuade his
friend to play.
At last he said to several who had
been watching the game, won't some of
you gentlemen take my p artner's place ?
There was pause for few moments,
then young man, scarcely one and
twenty, took the vacant seat, saying:
If you have no objections, Ell try my
hand.'
'Agreedr was the reply.
Here, bar keeper, give US another PACK
of cards. said the young man.
Another pack was brought; the
stranger opened them and handed them
back, saying:
i want another color These are the
same color as those they have been
! playing with. We might as we'll change
the color just Tor luck.
| The gamblers exchanged glsnces.
Another pack was brought; the game
commenced, and the gamblers won.-
Bob grew uneasy. .....
Come, let's double the stakes ! said
the stranger, whose turn it was to deal.
just as you like said the gamblers.
The stakes were doubled, and the
stranger and his partner won. A gleam
of sunshine illuminated Bob's eounte-
nance Another game was played, Bob
and his partner were again successful
The stakes increase-t.ie gamblers lose.
.Bar>keeper, bring us another pack OF
cards, of another color from these sad
the stranger, who was about to deal.
| One OF the gamblers looked at bis
partner while IA dark .rown overspread
his features.
Three more games were played, and
Bob had retrieved his losses. The stran'
ger again called for another pack Of
cards. At this one of the CANT plers ex
clalmed-
No more changing! We play with
these!'
4 You play with what you please, re
piled the young man, as an almost I'M
perceptib!e smile passed over his features
but ii my partner and myself play, We
must have another pack
Bob looked at his partner, then al
George.
Stick to what your partner says, Bob
He's the right stripe, and will come ou
head horse, or I'm aniggerP a exclaimed
George, slapping Bob on the shoulder.
; 4 agree to what my partner says, salt
) Bob, in reply to the gamblers looks Q
inquiry.
The gamblers exchanged looks, and
> then consented to the arrangement.
Four more games were played ant
; each time Bob and the stranger won.
It was again the strangers deal
One Of the gamblers watched him close
J ly, and suddenly exclaimed
You - young villain. Cheat
Y ing are you!'
!! Playing with you at your own game
I have watched you all night, and say
. you cheat my partner and his friend
Even now you have got dozen cards !
the sleeves of your coat. ] never p,a
! on the square with thieves replied th
/ stranger, hastily as deadly paienes
! stole over his features.
A knife cleaned in the gambler
e hand, and, as the blow aimed at th
: stranger descended, dozen cards te
E from his sleeve on the table. This wa
9 noticed by all the by ISLANDERS. Th
stranger avoided the blow, and with
!, rapid movement caught the assallant b
: the throat, giving his cravat twist, an
ithey both rolled on the floor.
While this was taking place. the spe
ta.ors prevented the other gambler fro
! interfering, and in the struggle a nun u.
Der Of cards dropped from his coat. II