Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-12-25
BRATTLEBORO, W.: DEC. 25, 1853.

short time his companions had enough of it and
withdrew. He had won large sum of money,
and was evidently satisfied with his evenings
work.
He smoked on the boier-deck until ali 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 singular of ALL he was
not seen the next day, though the boat was not
stopped during the night.
The next day was Sunday, and at breakfast
time my Methodist friend made his appearance
"My good friend, have to thank you for the
good service you did me last evening. | am
poor; | have none of this worlds goods. |
trust that all my treasures are laid up in heaven
But the Lord will reward you if can not.
Don't mention it, my dear sir, l 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 a 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 so permanent, for, when
evening came, the gaming table was spread out
as usual, and the games commenced. The mys-
terious 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 weak
er ones began to think he was the devil in dis
guise, and their belief was almost confirmed
when the next day nothing could be found of
him.
The passengers made him the subject of their
conversation, and quite an excitement was kind
led The Captain swore if he appeared again,
he would throw him into the river A thor
ough search was made for him, but all in vain
My Methodist friend was especially indignant
and believed it would be good plan to hang
every gambler. As soon as the true character
was discovered, agreed with him entirely
One young man from Cincinnati was particu-
larly distressed in the sudden disappearance of
the blackleg, for he had, under the influence of
an overdose of brandy, staked and lost half
eagle, which his mother had given him Just be-
fore her death. 1t was not the loss of the mon
ey that had distressed him, for he had plenty of
that, but it was the associations connected with
the coin itself. There was a history belonging
to it, he said, and he would give the gambler
double 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.
Manor devil, he had the means of knowing of
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 certain that he could not have
gone ashore.
The next day was talking with the Rev. Mr.
Goggles not about the gambler, but on general
topics. OF course, his life, as an itinerant, was
full of interest to me. He told me how Cheap
ly he lived and Travelled from place to place;
that he was often hungry and never had over
ten dollars at once.
81 have only five, now," he said; and to ver-
liy his statement he took from his pocket
half eagle.
glanced at it. There was hole in it, with
n ring attached 1t was certainly the prop
erty OF the young man from Cincinnati.
w nat Is the ring for ?" asLod
,,,, his piece was given me by a woman in Ar
The liar! had already made up my mind
that he was an impostor, in short. that he was
the mysterious gambler. Before dinner time,
had an opportunity to whisper my views to the
captain, and while we were at dinner, his state
room was searched. large sum of money
was found there, and many of the gamblers
tools, as well as the dress the unknown" had
worn.
"Parson can you swim ?" asked the captain
as the Reverend Mr.. Goggles came up on the
boiler deck
"a little he replied, with demure smile.
"fou will have chance to try; | am going
to throw you overheard"
The captain took him by the collar, and ex-
planned the matter to the astonished passengers,
who were quite ready to assist in emptying his
pockets, and then throwing him overboard.-
The money taken from him was paid over to his
victims.
The last we saw of him, he was swimming
vigorously towards the shore, cursing the cap
tain with quite as much zeal as he had used in
praying and exhorting.
The young man from Cincinnati got his
cherished coin, and trust learned useful les
son.