The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-12-11
COUNCIL BLUFFS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1858.
rnE saYsrERu0Us oAMDLER.
BY An OLD sfA0gR.

THE MYsTBRI0Us CAMILLA.
-.r BY An OLD srAorR. I.s ...
have made several passages up the Mis-
sissippi and Ohio rivers, and never without
seeing on board the steamers more or less
professional gamblers. 1t is thriving bus
mess on the boats where time hangs heavily
on the hands Of the passengers, ,and the black
legs carry Of large Gums Of money. They
usually remain on board but . day or two
long enough to have their true character ex-
posed. - =
This gentry had become such an intolcra-
ble nuisance that the captains Of the boats
did not knowingly permit one to come on
board; and not unfrequently brace Of
blncklegs were landed in the wood when their
profession was discovered.
during one of my trips the boat put in at
the mouth Of the Arkansas river, and as
usual, took stroll on shore. heard the
bell for the departure Of the steamer, and
hastened back to the landing. As was on
my way, l was overtaken BY a gentleman
with broad brimmed hat, green goggles,
and white neckcloth, tugging along with n
large valise.
~ am rather late, am not P" said he, -
he joined me.
'True enough, sir" / replied, respectful
ly, for the gentleman was a clergyman, a
Methodist itinerant, supposed.
"My vaIiss 10 rather heavy, and l feared
l should lose the bont."
"Let me help you carry it, SIR"
lie accepted my civil offer, and took hold
of the vaiise, which was certainly loaded
very heavy for Methodist parson. In few
ed on board; but my new acquaintance had
the plank csnted, and he was thrown into the
rivor. Fortunately for him, was prompt
in my efforts to rescue him, and be was i'm
medi"teIy drawn on board, with no other
detriment than thorough ducking.
My friend, whom, as never leared his
name, shall have to call him Rev. Mr.. Cog
giles, retired to vacant state-room. 1t was
now nearly dark and did not see him again
that night.
As usual, in the evening, there was ta-
BILE in the cabin, devoted to cards +; in a
word, there was gambling without stint. No
one objected to the practice, so long a. it
was not done by professional blacklegs. /
never played but often stood by the table
to observe the progress of the game, and
study the looks Of the players, as they were
ngitated by the tickle chances of moment.
While was thus watching them, OBJ
served on the opposite side Of the table o
we'll dressed gentleman, who was regarding
with eager interest the plays Of the gam
blers. lie manifested q desire to engage
in the place Of one who had been "cleuned
out"
1t was soon apparent that the new conner
was skillful player, and time after time he
swept the board Of ali that had been staked.
In a short time his companions had enough
of it and withdrew. lie had won large
sum of money, and was evidently satisfied
with his evenings work.
lie smoked on the boiler deck until all the
passengers had retired, and then left. Much
curiosity had been manifested to know who
and what he was. Nobody had seen him
before, and nobody remembered when he
came on board, and what seemed most sin
gular of all. he was not seen the next dny
though the boat was not stopped during the
night.
The next day was Sunday, and at break
fast time my Methodist friend made his nP-
pearance.
"My young friend, have to thank you
for the good service YOU did me last even
ing. l am poor; l have none OF this worlds
goods. ] trust that all my treasures and laid
up in heaven. But the Lord will reward
you, if cannot.'
"Don't mention it, my dear sir. ] am
happy to have been the means of saving
you"
We conversed awhile upon the matter, and
my friend then spoke of having a service on
board, if agreeable to the passengers. OF
course it was agreeable, and the parsOn
prayed and exhorted with zeal that would
have done honor to the most celebrated OF
the revivalists.
The impression produced by the service,
am sorry to say, was not permanent, for,
when evening came, the gaming table wns
spread out rs usual, and the games com.
menccd. The mysterious gambler appeared
! again, much to the surprise Of all, for it was
believed that he had landed, or been lost
overheard. He played, and swept the board
as before. Some of the weaker ones began
to think he was the devil in disguise, and
their belief was almost confirmed when the
next day nothing could be found of him.
| The passengers made him the subject ol
their conversation, and quite an excitement
was kindled. The Captain swore, If he ap-
peared again, he would throw him into the
river. A thorough search was made for him,
but in vain. MY Methodist friend was cspec.
ialIy indignant, and believed it would be a
good plan to hang every gambler. As soon
as tho true character was discovered,
agreed with him entirely.
One young man from Cincinnati was par.
! t;c,lo riv ;.tv in tho srI,}oo d:s onoe
nnce Of the blackleg, for he had, under the
and lost half englc, which his mother had
given him just before her death. 1t was no!
the loss of the money that distressed
him, for he had plenty Of that, but it wat
the associations connected with the coin it.
self. There was history belonging to it.
he said, and he would give the gambler doa.
BILE the value of it, If he would return IT.
with " little ring attached to it.
That evening to the disappointment Of all
on board, who were prepared to deal with
him in . summary manner, the blackleg did
not appear. Man or devil, he had the means
Of knowing the indignation his acts had
caused. There was strange mystery about
him. Every part Of the steamer was again
searched in vain for him, and it seemed cor
tain that he could not have gone ashore.
The next day I was talking with Rev. Mr.
Goggles, not about the gambler, but on gen.
eral topics. Of course, his life, as An itin.
Grant, was full Of interest to me. lie told
me how cheaply he lived and travelled from
place to place that he was often hungry
and never had over ten dollars Mt once.
~ have only five, now" he snid; and te
verify his statement, he took from his pock.
ct half eagle.
glanced nt it. There was hole in it
with ring attached! II was certainly tn,
property of the young man from Cincinna
ii.
"What is this ring for ?" asked.
"Ths piece wns given me by woman il
Arkansas, who was converted under my
preaching.
The liar l had already made up my mint
that he was an impostor, in short, that h.
Was the mysterious gambler. Before din