M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1859-08-25

dlnt OF wonderful luck as he styled
Iib | had now quite nice sum.
'Dacey now began to show signs Of
bewilderment at my occasional bad
playing and yet my success. lie
finally became so lrritated at his con.
tihued bad play, that he refused to go
on with the game.
The cards were hardly placed to
one side before expressed my desire
toreturn to him his gold. SaidI |, Mr..
Dacey, do take the money, for | feel
as though had stolen it from yOu.-
MY conscience will not permit me to
rest until you have again your prop
'etg,'
"No, no, my good fellow ho said
Keep it; you came by it fairly;
obtained it in the same way from the
miners
That evening my host was less
cheerful than had before seen him.
He was seemingly engaged in deep
thought, and although | kept up an
animated fire Of small talk, he would
not Join in, but instead chose to retire
to his blankets Mt an early hour.
'Dacey was very restless during the
night, and once or twice he muttered
something that sounded like my name.
The next morning after giving me di-
rections as to what to do during his
absence, he started away on horseback
in the direction Of the nearest settle
ment. Late IN the afternoon he re.
turned, but with hirn came another
man whom he introduced by the name
of Martin. They brought with them
a jug Of whiskcy, and both men pre-
tended to be drunk.
Il atOnce saw what was in the wind,
and determined to act accordingly
Martin, | knew from his manner, to
bea black'leg, and the errand that had
taken Dacey from his home was to
get him to come and win his money
back. After several drinks, in which
| sparingly indulgcd, although went
through the motions, We commenced
chatting on various subjects, and
wound up by eating supper, which |
had in the meantime prepared. The
two men had evidently been fasting
all day, for their appetites were ex-
ceedingly keen, but after time the
repast was finished and the boards
were cleared.
'Dacey lit his pipe and brought out
his cards. lie evidently was in his
element, and with a boast he offered
to play Martin and me any game we
choose to name. The former accept
Cd the challenge, but refused it, at
which they exhibited surprise. How
ever, at it they went, and for about
one hour, they had everything their
own way, while remained simple
spectator. Dacey now asked me to
take his hand, for he said he must 90
out and look after the riding animals.
| complied, after begging Martin to
overlook my want Of skill, which he
agreed to do. | lost every game I'M
til Dacey returned; but, as | expected,
| was not allowed to stop playing
when he rejoined us. My time had
arrived to checkmate their schemes,
and therefore when stalking my own
money lost less frequently. 1t was
clear to me they were partners, and
that Dacey was the banker. | now
went to work with a good will, and
before moring | had won nearly all OF
Dacey8 gold dust. The value of this
gold reached high figure, yet it was
not so great as had been led to imag-
inc.
'Dacey and Martin did not suspect
my true character until | had drawn
them too deeply Into the game to
Martin played desperate
Iy, but his attempts at cheating were
too feeble for my superior experience.
His final bet was fool hardy in the eX
treme, and when he found he had lost
he sprang to his feet, and with an oath,
said.
'Dacey, you found this man and
You can keep him. lfhe is not q real
gambler, | never saw one
Hard words followed, but my re-
vover protected myself and winnings.
quit that cabin within one hour, and
after many ups and downs reached
lower California. Here we will END
this story said Hickman, 'as we are
in sight Of the Mexican town to which
we are bound
The prospect ;of soon losing my
travelling companion was rather pleas
ant than otherwise, for his deep-laid
villainy had begun to alarm me, even
more so than had any danger to be
apprehended from the Apaches.
What a miserable life even the most
successful gamblers lead!
" A fashionable doctor lately in
formed his friends, in alarge company
hat he had been passing eight days
in tbe country "Yesn said one of