Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-06-24

the river, and as a CONSEQUENCES, hailed
from the river: the daring planter, who
had, unohserved, snatched an opportunity
to enjoy a quiet game, and tighten his
pockets of superfluous metal or paper
the ventursome novice, whose education
in that lire. must be acquired by expert
ence and knavery /; the hangeron. who
stands by the side of some foolhardy
gamester, promoting a bet while he winks
at his opponent, and imparting some rare
bit Of valuable information, while he holds
his hand up behind him to denote the
number of faced cards he has. Above
the scene hovers a strong, hazY cloud OF
dark vapor and from out the. narrow
c%ompanionway issues the occasional sound
OF falling coin, the curse Of the accom-
plished villain, the ba~cchanalian echo Of
some half uttered song, or the sharp ring
OF a glass as it drops nervously from the
grasp of the excited risker.
At a table in the centre Of the space,
sat two men, who were, like the others,
playing for money, and were, as they,
surrounded by the quota of idlers. But
they were obIivious to the world and its
people-their world was the board be-
tween them, and the only sound which
seemed to recall the man to a sense of his
humanity, was the snap of a card as it
was thrown, with emphasis. Both were
playing. and playing well SO well in
deed, that the spectators were almost as
much interested as the principals, and the
scarcely audible words whispered among
them had become lost, and the thoughts
of all seemed to rest upon the contest and
its result. There was a substantial rea-
son for it the parties were veil known
even dreaded, it may be, and the names
of the antagonists were familiar from the
source of the river to its mouth. 1t was
a trial OF luck, not of skill, for with them
there could be no foreseeing, and their
very souls become as part and parcel Of
their thoughts. Before each was a pile
of specie and bills, while two capacious
wallets. both open, Init empty. -eccnpiod
their respective stations, and several
packs Of unused cards were lying around
them.
Fill up the glass again." said the ell.
~derllooking of the two, Jackson-in a
husky tone. And make it strong. Now
then, deal" and he turned somewhat
s%ullenly towards his opponent.
The cards were shuf1ed, cut, and the
pieces Of pasteboard fell at regular inter
walls upon the table, till the requisite
number had been given, and the dealer
placed his finger on the pack, to turn up
the trump.
Stay z exclaimed the other, putting
forth his hand. John Cressay, we are
well matched and must play accordingly.
There will be no parleying between US.
A big stake or one is my motto. There
is my pile, cover it,"
He reached aside and showed the total
amount he possessed a few inches for
ward, awaiting with anxiety the move
ment of the dealer, who, however looked
a moment at the metal. inquired the
amount, and deliberately proceeded to
count out the required sum.
"Is it win or lose ?" asked he, as he
laid his hand upon the cards. What
say your"
WIN OF lOSc, Ut
The sentence was lost in the r~ustling
of the cards the trump was exhibited.
and the opponents raised their hands,
while the tightly compressed lips, the
flashing eyes, and the solemn silence at
tested to the terrible excitement of the
movement. The few seconds which fol-
lowed were ones of intense anxiety to
both players and the lockers on.
At last the silence was broken, and
with a sarcastic, it may be self-satisied
smile, Jackson placed his cards upon the
table, running his fingers over their faces.
as he turued his gaze towards Cressay,
while his hand was extended to gather
in the gold. But that Of the dealer was
put forth also, and with an iron grip upon
the gamblers wrist, forced the greedy
fingers from the prize.
5High-Jack-" said he, " that puts
me out. You've only low. and perhaps
game. I'm out" And he laughed as he
exhibited them, scanning carefully the
bronzed visage of his opponent, who
started back with a curse, then spr2ng to
his feet.
Ills ialse!Y muttered he, as he cleared
himself from his chair, glaring 6ercely
upon the winner, while the crowd drew
aside in~stinctively, awaiting in silence the
further movement Of the gamester. The
cards were stacked"
You liel" was the reioinder Of Ores
say, as he reached forward, only to ~recoil,
however, for in the light of the lamp
above he had discerned the familiar and
ominous flashing of a keen edged bowie
knife.
Quick as thought, he threw himself
backward, casting his chair down, and as
he kicked it aside placed himself on the
defensive, while Jackson's blow, aimed
with all his force fell short Of its mark,
and the would-be murderer recovered
himself just as the victorious party exhib-
tied a revolver, the sight of which he
calmly leveled at the head of the late
player.
Coward" Kissed he between his teeth
while his ~countenance became deadly
pale, and the dark blue lines Of his fore.