Mariposa Democrat., 1857-06-18
Two Hundred and Forty Thousand Dollars
or Nothing.
A CALIFORNIA STORY.

III tle ldtlcT Ol ~ u nunOcT o
professional gamblers in large practice were
residing at the Graham House--among the
rest, two who were especially remarked for
the bodness of their play and the steadness
of their business nerves. These were hunch-
back, named Briggs-and Joe Bassett, better
sort Of graduate Of the old Vicksburg school.
Both had been signally successful in many a
sharp operation during the year, and had ac-
quired considerable property in lots, which,
for their convenience in business, they had
converted into cash, and banked, partly with
Burgoyne or Wright, partly on various monte
tables
One day, in an aiter-dinner chat, they COM
pared notes, and found that they stood equally
fairly on the gamblers change, each being
good for just one hundred and twenty thou
sand dollars in Immediately available dust
Being both more than usually entcrprisng
under the inspiration of wine, Briggs offered
daring banter which was recklessly accepted
by Bassett; 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 dollars in red checks, and play
for the whole-neither to leave the room on
any pretext until all the red checks were lost
and won. Accordingly, with not less equa-
nimity and pleasant sngleness of purpose
they retired, with few choice spirits of their
set, to the privacy of a reserved apartment
and having provided store of choice liquors.
cigars and viaEds for the company, executed
the required documents, divided the rosy
counters, they took their seats at opposite sides
of the table and began the extraordinary and
most interesting contest-a contest which call
ed out such feats of memory, sagacity, dis
elimination, self possession, quick recognition
of signs and detection of sly fnesse such fine
feints, nimble thrusts and parres hot assaults
and well ordered retreats, as would have made
the fortune and the fame of statesman, a
general, or fencing master
The first deal was made at 4 o'clock in the
afternoon, and the game went on with chang
ing fortune all night At the elbow of each
stood glass of water, moderately treated with
brandy. Neither smoked; cloud between
them would have been as culpabe blundcr
as the sun in the eyes of duelist. Ten
o'clock next morning found them yet in their
places-both looking somewhat pale and hag-
gard, but very quiet. Briggs had four thou
sand 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 entered and
stood behind him. Briggs eyed his antagon-
ist over his hand, with searching stare that
held his very breath. Without noticing the
entrace Of the newcomer, with no hutter Of
his cards, without any startled glance, or even
the movement of finger, Bassett "went six
thousand dollars" "Take the money" said
the hunchback-and he took it. Briggs had
two jacks, Bassett three kings As tine two
tossed off great bumpers Of raw brandy,
Briggs remarked, as he rose to go off to bed
"If you had noticed that man | might have
borrowed the money and held on little long.
er; but when saw that you did not turn to
look over your shoulder or drop the faces ol
your cards, knew you had a sure hand" A
few days after that, the hunchback invested
fifty dollars, borrowed from Bassett, in mi
ner's outfit, and started FOR the diggings, where
ne died in month"; helpless pauper.