The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-02-24
The Mysterious Gambler.

l have made several passages up the
Mississippi and Ohio rivers, never with
ont seeing on board the steamers more
or less professional gamblers. 1t is a
thriving business on the boats, when
the time hangs heavily on the hands of
the passengers, and the blacklegs
carry off large sums of money. They
usually stay on board day or two,
long enough to have their true char
acter exposed.
This gentry had become such an in
tolerable nuisance that the captains of
the boats did not knowingly permit one
to come on board and, not unfrequent-
ly, brace of blacklegs were landed in
the wood-yards, when their true pro-
fession 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 of the departure of the
steamer, and fastened to the landing.
As | was on the way, | was overtaken
by a gentleman with broad brimmed
hat, green goggles, and neck-cloth, tug
ging along with large valise.
.' am rather late, am not ?" said
he, as he joined me.
1 "True enough sir" replied, respect.
fully, for the gentleman was clergy.
man, Methodist itinerant, supposed
"My valise is rather heavy, and ]
feared | should lose the boat"
" Let me help you to carry it, SIR"
He accepted my civil offer, and ]
took hold of the valise, which was Ger.
tainly loaded very heavy for Metho
dist parson. In few moments we
reached the steamer, and 1 passed Oh
! board but my new acquaintance had
accomplished but half the distance
when the plank cantered and he was
thrown into the stream. Fortunately
for him, | was prompt in my efforts tt
rescue him, and he was Immediately
drawn on board, with no other detri
ment than a thorough ducking.
My friend, as learned his name,
shall have to call Rev. Mr.. Goggles, re
tired to vacant state-room. 1t wa.
now nearly dark, and did not see hin
again that night
AS usual, in the evening there was /:
table in the cabin, devoted to cards il
a word there was gambling withou
stint. No one objected to the practice
$50 long as it was not done by profession
al blacklegs. l never played but / of
ten stood by the table to observe tn
progress OF the game, and study tn,
looks of the players.
While | was thus watching them
observed on the opposite side of til,
table, a well dressed gentleman, VIII,
was regarding with eager interest tn
play of the gamblers. He manifesto,
a desire engage in the place of one VIII
had been s'cleaned out''
1t was soon apparent that the ney
conner was skillful player, and tim
, after time he swept the board of a
that had been staked. In short time
his companions had enough of it an
T withdrew. He had won large sum q
money, and was evidently satisfied wit
his evenings work.
He smoked on the boiler deck unit
ali of the passengers had retired, an
then left. Much curiosity had bee
; manifested to know who and what h
was. Nobody had seen him befor.
and nobody remembered when he cam
5 on board, and what seemed most singu
lar of all, he was not seen the next da,
e though the boat was not stopped dl
ring the night.
The next day was Sunday, and {
breakfast time, my Methodist frien
}. made his appearance.
, My young friend, / have to than
you for the good service you done m
last evening. am poor have non
: OF this worlds goods. My treasur.
are all laid up in heaven. l trust tn;
the Lord will reward you, if / cannot
If I" Don't mention it my dear sir.
at am happy to have been the means
70 saving YOU"
We conversed a while upo.s the ma
ter, and my friend then spoke of ha
n ing service ON board, if agreeabl
Re and the parson prayed and exhorte
If with a zeal that would have done hone
to the most celebrated of the reviva
lists.