The Nevada journal., 1857-06-12


AND DOLLARS OR NoTHING.-In the lat
ter months of 40 number of profess
ional gamblers in large practice were res
siding at the Graham House-among
the rest. two who were especially re-
marked for the boldness of their play
and the steadiness of their business
nerves. These were hunchback, nam
ed Briggs-and Joe Bassett, a better
sort of graduate Of the old Vicksburgh
school. Both had been signally success
ful in many a sharp operation during
the year, and had acquired considera-
bic property in lots, which for their com
venience in business, they had conver-
ted into cash. and banked, partly with
Burgoyne or Wright. partly on various
monte tables.
One day, in an after-dinner chat, they
compared notes, and found they stood
equally fairly on the gamblers change,
each being good for just one-hundred
and twenty thousand dollars in availa-
bic dust Being both more than usually
enterprising under the inspiration of
wine, Briggs offered a daring banter
which was recklessly accepted by Bas-
sett that they should at once adjourn
to an upper faro room, fill up each a
check for the entire sum he was worth
in cash, divide equally between the two,
the two-hundred and forty thousand dol
lars in red checks, and play for the
whoie-neither to leave the room on
any pretextuntil all the red checks were
lost and won. Accordingly, with not
less equanimity and pleasant singleness
ofpurpose. they retired, with few choice
spirits of their set to the privacy Of
reserved apartment, and having provi-
ded a store Of choice liquors, cigars and
viands for the company, executed the
required documents, divided the rosy
counters, they took their seats at oppo-
site sides Of the table and began the ex-
traordinary and most interesting contest
"a contest which called out such feats
of memory, sagacity, discrimination,
self-possession, quick recognition Of signs
and detection of sly fnesse, such fine
feints, nimble thrusts and parties, hot as
saults and well ordered retreats. as would
have made the fortune and the fame Of
statesman, general, or fencing mas
ter
The first deal was made at o'clock
in the afternoon, and the game went on
with changing fortune all night. At the
elbow of each stood glass OF water,
moderately treated with brandy. Nei-
ther smoked cloud between them
would have been as culpable a blunder
as the sun in the eyes Of a duelist. Ten
o'clock next morning found them yet in
their places-both looking somewhat
pale and naggard, but very quiet
Briggs had four thousand dollars left of
all that he was worth in the world. The
cards were dealt The table at which
they sat was near the door of the room;
and Just as Bassett, whose ''Say" it was,
was making up his mind, some one en-
tered and stood behind him. Briggs
eyed his antagonist, over his hand, with
searching stare that held his very
breath. Without noticing the entrance
of the newcomer, with no tlutter Of his
cards, without any startled glance, or
even the movement of a finger, Bassett
event six thousand dollars Take
the money" said hunchback-and he
took it. Briggs had two jacks, Bassett
three kings. As the two tossed off
great bumpers Of raw brandy, Briggs re-
marked, as he rose to go off to bed, ''If
you had noticed that man l might have
borrowed the money and held on lit
tie longer; but when L saw that you
did not turn to look over your shoulder,
or drop the faces of your cards, | knew
you had a sure hand" 4 few days af-
ter that, the hunchback invested fifty
dollars, borrowed from Bassett, in mi
ner's outfit, and started for the diggings,
where he died in a month, helpless
nannnr