Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-03-13
From the Boston Traveller. ~
ADVENTURE IN A GAMING HOUSE

ADVENTURE IN A GAMING HOUSE.
It was in the spring of 18-, that ]
found myself gliding upon the waters ol
the mighty Mississippi, and bound for the
Crescent City, New Orleans. "'...
With single exception, 1 had formed
no travelling acquaintance on board the
boat, although 1 had been nearly two
days upon my journey. which was be-
coming somewhat monotonous. The in
dividual with whom |, singularly enough,
fraternized. seemed, like myself. to have
but little inclination TO extend his &C
quaintance among the passengers. though
he seemed to be constantly on the look
out for some one. and from the close man
ner in which he regarded the operations
of two or three of those individuals,
whose profuse display of vest chains and
jewelry, and proficiency with cards at the
tables in the saloon, betrayed their pro-
fession, more than once set him down
as some police in disguise.
He called himself George Thorn, OF
Kentucky SO his card read, which he
gave me in exchange for mine. In truth,
he was noble specimen Of the Corn
cracker State. Full six feet in height, q
clear, intelligent, blue eye, broad fore
head. and light. curly hair, muscular
arms, and the chest Of Hercules. he
challenged the admiration Of more than
one Of the passengers. as with his serious
and never smiling face. he paced the pro
menade deck, or sat apparently buried in
thought in the saloon. ...,-,-.,r..-..
Do you never play at cards ?'' said |
to him, as he left a group that were stan
ding about table of four players, and
noting the progress Of the game. l had
frequently seen him invited. but he inva.
riably, like myself, refused to participate
in the game.
*" Oh, yes ~ said he, "but where is
the use of playing here these fellows,
(nodding toward the players J. can tell
every card in the pack by the backs, and
they are trying hard to pluck some poor
pigeon from among these passengers, but
as yet with Indifferent success :, beware
Of them, SIR"
l thanked him for his friendly warning.
and at the same time expressed my as
tonishment at his affirmation. To con-
vince me Of the truth ofit, he called the
steward Of the boat, and ordered him to
bring him fresh pack Of cards. which
were brought, and he handed the pack to
me, bidding me to shuttle them. l did
80, when he Immediately selected every
ace and king from the pack. without look.
ing at the face of them: Next, he dealt
them lnrtwo parcels, one 10 me. and one
to, himself when, upon examination, |
found that all the cards Of real value were
IN his hands although could not detect
the least unfairness as he dealt them. =
You see" said he, smiling at my
look of astonishment, the advantage an
expert in these matters has over even d
skiilFuV player" g3a5UPa1' Ha9a SERIAL
'sI do, indeed p replied I. astonished
at my fellow travellers dexterity, and be-
ginning to think he might he gaIreformed
gambler or onee'.playing spossum's for
some purpose or other but. as he did
notsurge or even inviterme to play, nor
had played with any one else, and thfe y
the cards aside with! an expression of dis
gust too natural to bs1assumedI Ecame tc
the conclusion thatn my suspicious were
UNJUST and my travelling acquaintance
was riddle tyetato be solved:r d god gi.
/ Early the next morning the boat arri
,ued atiN New Orleans; and amid the hurry
andabustle Of debatk kation lostfny friend
the 1Kentdekian, ,EnotP even. seeing him e
bid him adieu. The same evening, how
seyer,i AFTER Visiting ehe theatre, was en-
ioyingEtheI cooF aifioaha a fragrant IA
yans, in the org9tqnda Of the ST. Charlie s
Hotel. and converting with friend from
pthee North, WHOM hid fottunsteiy met
wheaswho should u eneoanterm but tm.
steamboat acquaintapce.tH suollesxs gGil
L Afterithe usual greetings 'ohr fconver
sation turned upon our trip down the riv
er. our fellow passengers, De, when m,
fellow traveller remarked that. II Ilwoull
like % visit the interior of gamblinl
house or " hell" as II is sometimes NOR