The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1858-12-17
From the True Flag.
The Mysterious Gambler.
BY An OLD sTAGER.

| have made several passages up the
Mississippi and Ohio rivers, and never
without seeing on board the steamers more
or less professional gamblers. 1t is thriv-
ing business on the boats where 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 intol-
cradle nuisance that the captains of the
boats did not knowingly permit one to
come on board; and not unfrequently a
brace of blacklegs were landed in the woods
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 FASTENED back to the landing. AS ]
was on my way, l was oyertaken by q
green goggles, aud whftee'neeRR'Dss'S'ssHH,, rug
giug along with large valise.
Z" | am rather late, am | not :" said he,
as he joined me.
"Truc enough, SIR" I replied respect
fully for the gentleman clergyman, a
Methodist itinerant, as | supposed.
My valise is rather heavy, and fear
ed | should lose the boat"
Let me help you carry it, sir"
He accepted my civil offer, and took
hold of the valise, which was certainly
loaded very heavy for a Methodist parson.
In few moments we reached the steamer
and | passed on board but my new ac-
quaintance had accomplished but h,lf the
distance, when the plank canted, and he
was thrown into the river. Fortunately
for him, | was prompt in my efforts to res
cue him, and he was Immediately drawn
on board, with no other detriment than a
thorough ducking.
Aly friend, whom, as | never learned
lis name, shall have to call the Rev. Mr.
Goggles, 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
table in the cabin, devoted to cards; in
word, there was gambling without stint
No one objected to the practice, so long as
it was not done by professional Blacklegs.
/ never played but | often stood by the ta-
bic to observe the progress of the game,
and study the looks of the players, as they
were agitated by thc tickle chances of a
moment.
While / was thus watching them, | OBJ
served on the opposite side OF the table a.
well dressed gentleman, who was regarding
with eager interest the plays of the gam
blers. He manifested a desire to engage
in the place of one who had been /" clean
ed out"
1t was soon apparent that the new COM
er was skillful player, and time after
time he swept the board of all that had
been staked. In short time his compan-
ions had enough of it and withdrew He
had won a large sum of money, and, was
evidently satisfied with his evenings
work q
He 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 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 break
fast time my Methodist friend made his
appearance.
"My young friend, have to thank you
Cor the good service you did for me last
evening ] am poor; have none of this
worlds goods. trust that all my treas
uies are laid up in heaven. But the Lord
will reward you, if cannot"
Don't mention it, my dear sir. L am
happy to have been the means of saving
you"
We sonverscd a while uron the matter
and my friend then spoke Of having SER
vice on board, if agreeable to the passen.