The North-Carolinian., 1856-08-30
The Gambler Ontwitted.

The following incident was reiateu W He W
whose veracity is unquest.onable, ana VINO
was an eyewitness of the scene.
A few years ago several young men were
jonrneying down the Mississippi in one OF the
large steamboats, then much infested with
blacklegs, who embraced every opportunity OF
fleeing the passengers, but who occasionally
had the tables tarned on them One Of the
young men was son Of rich planter, and had
just received his portion, which he had con-
vertet! into cash to the amount of one hundred
thousand dollars Now this rich young sprig.
could hold hand at poker with the best OF
them, and was, witllal, consummate dis
semblcr as ever feigned greenness to humbuS
cockney. or dible II Peter Funk.
Z There we're several gamblers on board, on
the lookout for vieti,a, aud seeing these DASH
ing yonsssy fetfo Eys,r4sssts teir IA Ia
careless profns;on--and our hero particularly
whom we shall designate b, they imme-
diatcly scraped up an acquaintance, and one
of them bantered Il. for game of poker.
"Well," says b., II have often heard Of that
lemmed game, but intend to learn it now,
though samt bet more than five hundred at
stroke"
The gambler smiled with anticipation, and
politely offered to teach 3. for the slight con-
sideraton Of Il ", and then to play with him
for small sums, just to render the game inter-
esting, and teach him the true science of the
thing" B. readily agreed to his proposal, and
sat down to initiate our hero into the mysteries
Of poker, game which he was almost an adept
in, long before he could spell the name.
After hours hard work, explanations,
&c., on one side, and ejacuations of wonder,
&c, Oh the other, b. thought he had learnt
enough Of the 'demmed game" to try a hand
or two at ten dollars ante, and nothing less.
His friends eXpostullted with him, and assured
him that he would he certain to lose-but he
said he didn't if he lid-and, besides that,
he could quit if he wanted to.
The novelty Of the transaction had brought
together number of the passengers, who were
looking on with great interest, aud pitying the
poor green horn, soon 10 be wound up in fnan-
cial matters, they thought The game had
progressed for some time, B. alternately winn-
ing and losing until the gambler thought his
time was come, and lie must make the big
stroke, and put an end to the matter. So,'
taking up the cards, he deals ont four kings
and Jack to H., and four aces and queen to-
himself, and then puts on powerful" misera,,
be look as though he had the poorest hand
imaginable. B. strai ghtened himself up in his
seat very suddenly, and anx;ously inquired Of
the chap if he would bet fifty with him.
His opponent hestated few moments, and
then exclaimed desperately
Yes Mlght e well make Or break st
B. looked at him, seemingly surprised to
death, and said to him, II that, and five
hundred better, hut I'd advise you not to see it,
because Pve got splended hand"
A very, very faint smile wreathcd the gam
bler's lips for moment, as he slowly murmured,
II go that, and a thousand better"
''Well," said B., II can't help it, if you will
you must but don't want to win all your
money. go yours, and ten thousand better"
The gambler looked surprised for momenJ,
but silly winking to his friends for loan, he
exclaimed, as though in fit of desperation,
You'll beat me- know, but it's gone too far
| to back out now. Ill go yours and ten thou
sand better"
| BIS face seemed convulsed with agony, as he
quickly said to his opponent, But suppose q
fellow amt got the cash to that last go?"
Then the pile is minc' answered the pleas.
ed gambler, as smile of satisfaction overspreat
his countenance.
when fellow hasn't the dust ! can make the
other retract his orcrgo?"
! Certainly not" said all the gamblers, i'll a
breath. you can't see his bet, the money
belongs to him. ,
Yes, it does" said BIS kind tutor in tho
game, +" and this pile is mine"
'Hod a minute friend ;" said B. 81 didnt
say could not see it. / only asked simple
question. for information Steward !! haul my
rcd trunk over here"
| The steward brought the trunk and b., open
ing it, took out huge roll Of bank bill, and a
bag OF specie, and SaId With the greatest sang
| frozd imaginable, at the same time giving the
trembling, anxious gambler quizzical look
L go that last bet, and ninety thousand .e-
lars better. Connt ont the money. gentlemen J"
| ISut--but-but-I--ah amt you afraid
you'll lose all that money 2" said tho horror
stricken gambler in hoarse whisper.
Not at all, not at all !" said B.. DO you
see that last bet, sir ?'
Il wish he could himself in glass jest
about now" said tall. -boned Yankee,
standing by. IL don't think he wud know
whether he was looking at man. Or cur-log,
with his tail fresh chopped off, for suckin' eggs
| 81 don't think see it," said the gam.
bier, "unless 1 can borrow it from some Of my
| friends"
But he couldn't raise it-couldn't begin to
and scraping the pile into the red trunk,
and cooIly locking it up, remarked to the gam
blers who were consoIing their friend, aHd
grumling at their lost loans
Gentlemen, you may detect senior in q
state of fsomnoency-but this IS youth as has
cut his eye teeth, fortunately, short time DeS
fore he had the honor of your acquaintance
"Wcll !" calculated the aforesaid donathan'
next to wooden nutmegs and h'ckory nans,
that's Jest irelle The cmfest speeh't@fo" as tee,
Tux place an mn eigh6orAood-dar" mg eee't"''''
buttons, Eft oint!!"
Ilo,o 10 multiply Shirt
40. o.. RAGS whose cup Of poverty was