The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-09-05

whole.
The lastnanod gentry, the gamblers. did
not confnc their operations to the garrisoncd
towns and the permanent camps. but were
frequently found accompanying the trains. as
they passed TO and from our depots, often in
the capacity of tcam>tcrs.
In some secret corner of their wagons. the
montc-bank. the faro-box, and the roulette
cloth, with its gillci figures and cmblazoncd
eagle, the kcno-urn. CT the wheel of fortune
were snugly slowed away. side by side with
the whiskey kcg, to be placed in tempting
array upon the tail-boards of their wagons
on arriving at the first camping ground for
the night. These men could accommodate
themselves to any change Of circumstances
or any o>!cnsiblc occupations. in order to
carry on their game of pluching the poor
soldier.
accompanying train-c>cort. and we had
cncamped at the stream of Papa Gallios.-
There was along with us. Sergeant H.. of
the 10th regiment. one of the new levics-
The Sergeant had served with the l>t Ohio
regiment and was at the taking of Monterey.
He had returned home. and afterwards enlist
ted in the new regiment, and was now again
on his return home. on a sick turlough.-
Being. lis he expressed it. but a passenger.
and without mess. had invited him to Join
with me. and share my tent.
As usual. montcdcalcr had opened his
bank and was calling upon the votarc> Of
fortune to sacrifice at her shrine
The Sergeant observing that. as he had
not money enough to take him home he
would try his luck at the game. Accordingly
he left me. and wcnd,d his WAY towards the
circle. which had gathered around the gambler.
turned into my blankets. and soon forgot
all things about me. in thr pleasant dreams
Of home.
About midnight the Sergeant returned with
his h,nI,,rrb;,f flied with .o]J. ! >horlJ
think. FROM lis wcir;,t. he hod over = ,ho,,-
sand Lollors
Here doctor" said he. II am in luck to-
night: I've almost burst up that fellow
hank
GLOW much have vou WON ." Task ed
c.,r,I.>>1, for IN fact was ~, >I.c,v f.,
,,l ,,r,.,, ;,,..r... :, ~. c,oI l,,l.
81 down. l,or. .,ac,,, ,,+ -. bo had
.,lo,,, .;f,e,, h,,r1rc1 d,u,,s IN his l,r1,
,rd ~. o,bcr ho,> woro ro+ lc,,;nr r,.,c,
.,J ,horo :. L,,. ,,,.;,,> E,.r.. of;. 1on
should ,;i,l ~. ~ Lou, .,o. ~. f.,I,u,s WI.
rv heavens, I'll rc,ur, ,,,I wake , s,i., -
HIM"
but Sergeant come back moment: :
word with You before vou 60
"WcIl. what is il, Talk fast" said he
"IIcS nloyinr aroin>t luck. and. If don :
Get back soon. the bows will have used hin
up. One or two antics more, and I'll mo-
leave dollar in his bank"
Ipcrccivcd that the free whisky of tn
gambler was doing its work on the brain o
the sergeant and knowing that the knav
would soon have the advantage Of him. an,
carry good Iprl over to the bank. persuade,
him to deposit A portion of his Winnings wit
me. as he would not require very hcav
stake to finish the game. now so near its clos,
by Jovc. you're right. old fellow" sat
Ne, help yourself: but don't be greedy. lcav
me enough to finish him up gcntccllv."
He laid the handkerchief again upon m
blanket. and. gathering up several hand
fullS of the heaviest pieces. | slipped the,
under my bcdd;nr. l. was too dark for hi,
TO observe how Frequently nv hands rct,rnc
to the charge: but at last. growing impa;cr
he snatchcd IN what remained, and rcturnc
to the work
But # seemed that in his brief abscnc,
thr tcl]c roddcS~ had deserted her fr;;cnd
Of tbc c,r,;rr hours of tbc n;rbt and y,
NOW come ovcr to tho dc,lcr His milo y,
cv;dcntly ;ncrc,<cd
81 co ~ c,olc IN tbo .coron,." cr;od .,
or,ro,,t &c bo .bro,,. .bo ,x,ld ,,;oo -, =,
Milo Of n,ncrs that n;c,ure rcnrcscntcd .,
w,tcbcd tho r,n of cards Tho osn,1, ,,o,
.,1 tho ton don,rs ,oro ,J1o,, 90 .h, h.,,,
"Wcu tbor boro.s two ooolos mara =, a.
,r, d.. , L.,
=, =,