The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-12-07
From tho True Flag.
The Mysterious Gambler.
ny Az OLD srAoER.

or less professional gamblers. 1t is thriv'
ing business on the boats whore time hangs
heavily on the hands Of the passengers,
and the blacklegs carry off large sums OF
money. They usually remain on board
but day or two-long enough to have
their true character exposed.
This gentry had become such an intolcr-
able nuisance that the captains of the
boats did not knowingly permit ono TO
come on board; and not unfreqnently
brace of blacklegs wero landed in the wool
when their profession was discovered.
During ono Of my trips the boat put in
at the mouth of the mouth of the Arkan'
sas river, and rs usual, took stroll on
shore. / beard the bell for the departure
of the steamer, and FASTENED back to the
landing. As l was on my way, ! was
overtaken by II gentleman with broad
brimmcd hat, green goggles, and white
neckcloth, tuggiug along with large va
lis,.
81 am rather late, am l not! said he,
as he joined me.
"Truo enough, SIR" / replied, respect
fully, for the gentleman clergy man,
Methodist itinerant, l supposed.
"My valise is rather heavy, and l feared
/ should lose the boat"
"Ict me help you carry it, sir"
He accepted my civil offer, and took
hold of the valsc, which was certainly
loaded very heavy for a Met odist parson.
In few moments we reached the steamer.
and passed on board; but my new ac-
ouaintance had accomplished but half the
distance, when tho plank canted, and he
was thrown into the river. Fortunately
for him, I was prompt in my efforts to res
cue him, and he was Immediately drawn
on board, with no other dctriment than
thorough ducking.
Nv friend, whom, rs | never learned
his name, shall have 10 call the Rev. Mr..
Goggles, retired to vacant state-room -
It was now nearly dark and did not sec
him again that night.
As usual, in the evening, there was
table in tho cabin, devoted to cards; in
word, there was gambling without stint
No one objected TO the practice, SO long as
il was not done by professional Blacklegs.
/ never played but | often stood by the
table to observe the progress of the game,
and study the locke of the players, as thoy
were agiiated by the tickle chances of a
moment.
While was thus watching them, | OBJ
served on the opposite side of tho table
well dressed gentleman, who was regarding
with eager interest The plays of.the gam
blcrs. lie manifested desire to engage
in the place of ono who had been "cleaned
out"
II was soon apparaut TINT tho new COM
or was a skillful player, AMI time alter
time he swept the board of AL that had
been stakcd. In short time his compan,
ions had enough of it and withdrew. lie
had won largo sum of money, and was
evidently satisfied with his evenings work
lie smoked on the boiler deck until al
the passengers had retired, and then left
Much curiosity had toen manifested tC
know who aud what he was. Nobody had
seen him before, and nobody remembered
when he came on board, and what seemed
most singular Of all, he was not seen The
next day though the boat was not stopped
during the night.
The next dav was Sunday, and at break
fast time my Methodist friend made In
appearance.
"My Young friend, have to thank yo'
for the good service you did for me las
evening. am poor; have mono OF thI
worlds goods. trust that I'll my treas
urcs are laid up in heaven. Bat the LoF'
will reward you, if cannot.
"Don'l mention it, my dear sir. ! al
happy To have been the means of sa,lni
you
: We conversed whllc upon the maitc
# anI my friend then spoke OF having
service on boaId, If agreeable to tbs pa'
seuccrs. OF course it was agreeable, an
. the parson prayed and exhor'cd with
= zeal that would lave done honor to tn
y most celebrated of the resivaists.
a The impression produced 10y the service
/ am sorry to say, was not permanent, 10
when evening came, tho gaming table wa
a spread out rs usual and the games con
menced. The mysterious gambler appeal
y cd AGAIN. much 10 the surprise of all, f'
= il was believed that he had landed or bee
lost overheard lie played, and swel
the board as cforc. Some OF the weak'
ones began TO think he was the devil
If disguise, and their belief was almost COZ
C iirmcd when the next day nothing coa
y bc found of him.
1t The passengers made him the subject
70 thor conversation, aud quite au oxcl'emc
IS was kndled. Tho captain sworo, II !
N ever appeared again, he would throw hl
y. into tho river. A thorough search W
re made for him, but all in vain. My Met
ID odst friend was especially indignant, al
at believed il would be good plan to haI
nj every gambler. As soon as the true cha
y actcr was discovered, | agreed with III
Us entirely.
y. One young man from Cincinnati W
y, particularly distressed in the sudden dlsa
er pcarancc of the blackleg, for he had, und
n Tho influence of an overdose OF brand
6, stakei and lost half eagle, which
'y mother had given him just before her deaf
ig 1t was not the loss of the money that d
ut trcssed him, for he had plenty OF that, !
N il was the associations connected with I
ip coin itself. Thero was a history belou
G. iug 10 it, he said, and he would give
H.