The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-05-14

1
the game time quietly informing him
that they were not responsible for any
injuries he might sustain. 10th to give
up his gains, the gambler cast search
ing look at his original system of extor-
tion, coolly calculated his chances,
seemed to make up his mind that the
odds against breaking his neck were in
his favor, and then told them that they
might work away and be id
No sooner said than done; the machin-
cry was put in motion, and the gambler
was Immediately chasing the piston rod
upon all fours, game he understood in
more senses than one, and then backing
out of it's way; his eye all the time as
firmly fixed upon the rod as ever that Of
Gabriel Rayel was on the tight rope
After working him forward and back
ward sevsral times, one of his tormen-
tors put in with:
Don't you think you had better dis
gorge?'
Don't bother me, retorted the gam
bier,
You'll get sick of that game said an
other boatmun, as the fellow was follow
ing the piston rod up in the attitude of
a dear
Not as you knows on rejoined the
gambler, as he backed out of its way
After this fashion they run upon the
poor fellow for several minutes, he still
manifested a stubborn unwillingness to
give up his spoils. By this time all the
cabin passengers had heard of the fun
going on below, and went down to wit
ness it. The laugh from the crowd was
boisterous and hearty in the extreme
as the poor fellow intent upon nothing
but his own safety, followed the piston
rod up to prevent his neck from being
jerked off and then craw fshed out of its
way to avoid being run over and crush
ed. His looks and actions might be
somewhat likened to those of an old bear,
dragged by chain up to some point
against his will, and backing out the mo-
meut foot of slack was given him; and
then again to n savage bull dog with a
rope round lis neck, fercly endeavoriug
to get at some prey, aud then undergo
ing the process of being dragged back
the moment his mouth was open to re-
ceived it.
Fire, and fall back = was heard from
an individual in the crowd, and in terms
anything but consolatory.
'Roct hog or die = came tauntingly
from another
'Twig him, only lookl' shouted by
stander, in apparent extacies of de-
light.
Hump yourself or you're conner !
cried one.
Here he goes, there he goes said an
other.
'Ha, he, he, hi, hi, no, .ho,' laughed
still another, unable to contain himself.
Amt he in a pretty fix p put in a
fourth.
sServs him right said fifth.
Good enough for him. said sixth,
the piston rod all the while keeping him
in full exercise, with the perspiration
running down his cheeks in streams.
Not even a side glance did he turn right
or left, his eyes were all the while firm
ly fixed upon the obnoxious machinery
before him.
Amt you most ready to hand over
now = queried one of the plucked deck
hands thinking he could not possibly
hold out much longer.
Don't bother me, returned the gam
bier; if you do I'll lose my lick
Won't you give up the money! in
quired another of the feeced ones.
IF I do, I do; but if do, I'll be
ID retortcd the inseperabie COM
panion of the piston rod. I've got the
hang of this game-understan the prin-
ciples of this machinery now-and you
may on with more steam, and work me
from one end of the Mississippi to the
other, before I'll give up the srst red
cent. Go aheadp
In this way the fellow was worked
without hinching or showing any sign of
giving up, until the boat was ready to
start; when, considering that they had
got the worth of their money out ofhim
in the way of fun, and that he had afford
ed more than sufficient amusement to
compensate for their odd dimes, the en-
CINE was stopped and the man let loose.
After Strengthening himself up, and
after putting, blowings and wiping the
perspiration from his face, the gambler
looked round upon the crowd with self
satisfied air, exclaiming. You can't
come it over this child with any of your
common games; I've stood three pluck
one too often to be blufed off even if
there was forty against me. I shall go
ashore at this wood pile myself but hope
to see you all in the fall. And if at any
time any of you want to get up small
game, and if there's any thing to be made
by it, you may give me hand
So saying, the gambler stalked coolly
ashore whiting his stick, the boat was
soon under way, and all hands resumed
their respective callings. But to this
day they have not forgotten their fun
with the poker player.