The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-06-09

companions IN the city, and he feared be
might be led into trouble.
"Never fear for me-" young Balfoul
returned, evidently little touched to think
that his friend should regard him as inca
pable of caring for himself.
Edgar saw the feeling in a moment
and he said no more, but he noticed the
savage look which Lodman gave him, foi
the gamester had read his purpose.
In a little while a party of four was
made up, and the game commenced
game of poker-the hang-dog looking
man being one of them.
For a while, things went on quite
smoothly, Balfour winning over hun
dred dollars; but finally the game be.
came more exciting, and the stakes were
increased. Romney watched the pro.
ceedings narrowly, for he saw that Bal
four was to be feeced. He could see the
snake-like fire in the blackleg's eye, and
his handling of the cards.
Balfcur won five hundred dollars and
then lost it. Then he Won a hundred
with one hand, and then los. two hundred
He did not know that he was winning OF
losing at the will of another, but Romney
saw it very plainly. Presently the young
man held two trays and two queens. He
"saw" and :'went' better until he had
staked over thousand dollars.
must call you," said Lodman, assu-
ming an anxious appearance, as he COW
cred the last bet.
"Three trays and two queens" uttered
Balfour, throwing up his hand.
By the trump Of trumps, just ahead
and that's all. Three fees andtae other
pair Of queens" And as Lodman spoke,
he showed his hand and raked down the
money.
During the next few minutes there
were no good hands oat, Lodman Win
ming by "blufing" and thus keeping the
deal Finally Balfour hold -f>.--, :. ! :
and commenced betting nervously. 1t
was plain to be seen that he had never
before played with sharpe's, for he seemed
to feel sure of winning now.
FIFTY BETTER" said Lodman, putting
down the money.
81 see that, and go hundred better"
said Balfour. e.
At this point the hang dog and his
vis-a-vis threw up their hands.
GA hundred better than that" replied
the sharper.
Then Balfour increased his stake to five
hundred, and finally to thousand. Ere
long there were fifteen thousand dollars
upon the table, the youth having made a
bet of two thousand.
"You may beat me-" said Lodman,
"but I'll be either made or broken, so
here's to you, and l:ere are four thousand
dollars better"
William Balfour sank back in his chair,
and with a sort Of vacant look gazed upon
the hand he held. He turned an enqui
ring look upon his friend, who stood be-
hind him, but Edgar's eyes were fixed
with strange intensity upon the black
leg. Finally William drew a long breath,
and then placed his hand within the bo-
som of his vest, and took therefrom four
notes of tt ousand dollars each. 1t was
money entrusted to his care by his father
for the payment of a mortgage in Mobile
81 see your four thousand dollars, and
cal cal vou," said the youth in hoarse
whisper.
A score of the passengers had collected
about the table, and all was breathless
with excitement.
"FouR K1NGsr' said Lodman, spread
ing his cards.
''LosrT groaned Balfour, dropping hi:
hand, and clasping his brow.
",Stop viUain" shouted Edgar Rom
ney, in trumpet tones, as Lodman started
to rake down the money, 81 have watch
ed you we'll !! have seen you stock ane
mark those cards, and exchange hands
and conceal high pairs between your knees
till you have given just such hands as suit
ed your purpose! Touch that money
and you die on the spotw And as b,
spoke he drew pistol from his bosom.
'Ahap uttered the blackleg, starting
up from his chair, and drawing LITTLE
weapon from his pocket. :" Is that your
game, my proud cove? Come on deck anc
we'll try that! Come-white livered, med
ding cowardr'
s.No, no Y cried young Balfour, starting
ND between the two. 'You shall not d.
this, Edgar?"
"Back, William. Let the miserabl
villain follow mel" %