White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-03-24

HAuSn OuiIOSlIy Hdu Dee0 MANIFESTED TO
know who and what be was. Nobody
had seen him before, and nobody remem.
bered 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.
envy young friend, have to thank
you for the good service you did me last
evening. | am poor; | have none of
this worlds goods. l trust that all my
treasures are 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 pas
sengers. 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 SER
vice, | am sorry to say, was not perma-
nent, for when evening came, the gaming
table was spread out as usual, and the
games commenced. 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
of their conversation. and quite an ex-
element was kindled. The captain swore,
if he appeared again, he would throw
him into the river. A thorough search
was made for him, but in vain. NV
Methodist friend was especially indignant,
and believed it would be a good plan to
hang every gambler AS soon as the
true character was discovered, l agreed
with him entirely.
One young man from Cincinnati was
particularly distressed in the sudden dis
appearance of the blackleg, for he had,
under the influence of an overdose of
brandy. staked and, lost a half eagle,
which his mother had given him Just be-
fore her death. 1t was not the loss of the
money that distressed him, for he had
plenty of that, but it was the associations
connected with the coin ITSELF There was
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. Man or devil,
he had the means of knowing the indigna-
ton his acts had caused. There was a
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 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 cheaply 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 verify his statement, he took from his
pocket half eagle
/ glanced at it. There was hole in
it, with ring attached 1t was certain
ly the property of the young man from
Cincinnati.
"What is this ring for 90 / asked.
"This piece was given me by woman
in Arkansas. who was converted under my
preaching"
The liar ! l had already made mp my
mind that he was an impostor, in short,
that he was the mysterious gambler. Be-
fore dinner time, l had an opportunity to
whisper my view to the captain, and
while we were at dinner. his state room
was searched. A large sum of money
was found there, and many Of the gam
bler's tools, as well as the dress the Gun
known" had worn.
"Parson, can You swim ?" asked the
captain, as the Rev Mr.. Goggles came
upon the boiler deck.
ga little" he replied. with very de-
mure smile.
''You have chance to try; ! am go
ing to throw you overheard.
The captain took him by the collar,
and explained the matter to the astonish-
ed passengers, who were quite ready to
assist in emptyiEg his pockets, and then
throwing him overheard. The money
taken from him was paid over to his vic
tins.
The last we saw of him, he was swim
ming vigorously towards the shore. ours
ing the captain with as much zeal as he
had used in praying and exhorting.
The young man from Cincinnati got
his cherished coin, and trust, learned a
useful lesson.