Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-25

ded fight of stairs, and entered door upon
which was placed small sign, containing the
simple words "Ante ROOM" Here different
scene met my eye.
Around large table were seated few indi-
viduals, whom recognized to be the same that
were with the greeny in the depot, who also oc-
cupied seat by their side.
By appearances, they were enticing him to
play game at cards, of which he pretended to
know nothing; but at last yielding to their per-
suasons, he reluctantly consented. They COM
menced by stalking dollar apiece. The cards
were shuffled, cut, and trunps turned.
The play now commenced, and the game was
soon finished, which resulted in the green ones
winning.
Another and another followed, and still the
greeny won, till excited and elatcd at his sue
cess, he began to bet in larger sums, and soon
the amount reached hundreds. Now was their
time and I could see, by shrewd observation,
the occasional wink given and returned; but
now fortune proved false to the green one, he
lost. Again he played and lost, till it had
reached quite an amount.
"Let me see," says he; "let me see, this
makes two, five, one and TENN all eighteen
hundred dollars that have lost"
go, don't be discouraged" remarked one, at
the same time giving sly wink to his comrade,
"to give up while you have shot in your lock-
err Perserere; you may yet get all back"
"True, may get all back, but when? En-
couragement like this would make your words
but idle talk. You want to get all have got-l
see into it."
"No, no." interrupted number Of voices
don't we play fair? Play on; we will give You
fair chance to get it back, and more with it.
"I don't know but you do play fair but for
me to keep playing and losing, is useless"
~ should like to play on tens instead OF
Ones" remarked one who was seated opposite
the greeny.
At this expression, the sreeny frightened up
he seemed to appear different person. AS
soon as the proposition was made, he hauled a
large pocket book from secret pocket in his
coat, and touching small spring, opened it, by
doing which, was disclosed bills of most all de-
nominations. Taking two five hundred dollar
bills, which he added to the amount he had
previously staked, he placed them on the table
then, replacing his pocket book, he replied:
"There is ten thousand, and the gentleman
can now be gratifed by covering the amount,
and then in reality it would be tens, as he
wished, which he could play for"
To appearances, this was unexpected, for they
seemed taken by surprise. They had formed
an idea that he had not much more money about
him. They looked at each other for support,
but it was too late; the money must be covered,
or one article of their rule be broken. The chal-
lengcr borrowed, and, after some time, collected
together the sum requisite to face the amount al
| ready on the table.
1t was staked; twenty thousand dollars was
at issue-into one or the others hands it must
pass and it was evident to the minds Of many
that the greeny was fool, and would lose with
out doubt.
But nv thoughts now ran in different chan
mel. NV supposition as to his being real gree
ny passed away, and came to the conclusion
that he was gambler in disguise.
The game was call fours." The cards were
shufied and passed to be cut, the one cutting
the highest being entitled to the deal. The
ereeny cut, which proved an ace; that gave linn
the deal. He took the cards-all eyes were
now riveted upon him, ever every act was scru-
tinized-while in careless but quick manner
he mixed tile cards; they were cut by bis op-
ponent he dealt off the required number, and
turned his trump card. That proved to be a
lack. by which means he was enabled to gain
one in the game ahead of his adversary: leaving
The game was played off, which resulted in
the creenys only making one beside jack, and
his opponent two, thereby making them two
and two.
The cards were shuffied and dealt again, and
in breathless anxiety the lookerS-on watched tine
progress of the game. The grecny throwed his
trump; it was the ace Of trumps, at the ap-
pearance of which, his adversary turned pale
his countenance fell lie passed his cards over
and under, and over again and again, then
played but it was all useless. Tie greeny
now passed bis duece, exclaiming:
"IIgh and low gives ME the game, which re-
suits in the money being mine"
He took it, and placing itaway in his pockets,
arose from the table, thanking them for their
llLeralty and kind invitations, and was about
leaving, when, unable to control any longer
their feelings, to think they had become the
dupes of him whom they took to be rather green,
and one easily preyed upon as their victim, they
sprang to the door. He saw their intention ;
but not to be foiled, placing his hands beneath
his vest, he displayed to view two ugly looking
customers, remarking it was useless to interfere,
as death would result by the consequence OF
such all undertaking
Their hopes were blasted, and their designs
frustrated, and, reluctantly drawing one side,
they gave him room But before making his
exit, he addressed them in the following Ian
gliage -.
"Gentlemen, as you term yourselves, for thir-
tv wears have been professional gambler.
NV course has been from the mouth of the Mis-
sissippi to the Gulf of the st. Lawrence. am
familiar with all the principal cities of the Union,
but this is my first visit smong you. Your
| names are familiar to NE, and the character OF
this establishment reached my ears far distant.
| resolved to pay it a visit: and IN the disguise
that now appear before sou in. | have had
the opportunity, and embraced it. It was by
enticemcnt that you brought me within these
doors to play, supposing Inc to be green, and
easily tleeced. You imagined you had me; you
have tried the consequence has proved fatal to
you. Now let me give you this advice, which
have always followed: that is, never delude
stranger of country appearances into the vices
and snares Of a gambling den. Let my proceed
ings which have this day been accomplished at
your cost, suffice, that some things are green
outrardly, but ripe at ats core;' and in future
times, when referring to this, you'll think OF
c., the noted and scientific card player
left the place fully satisfied with the results
which had witnessed, while my heart was fill
led with joy at the discontinue of those whose
aim was to destroy character and honor, by
fleeing one whom they supposed to be q coun-
try greeny but who turned out to their sad ex.
perience, to be the most accomplished and sci
entifc of them all in the art of card playing.