Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1859-01-06
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THE MYSTERIOUS GAMBLER,
made several PASSAGES m and do

} steamers more or less protested gam
pliers. 1t is a thriving business on the
boats where time hangs heavily on the
hands of the passengers, and the black
legs carry off large sums Of money!
They usually remain on board but 9
day or two-long enough to have their
true character exposed. #4
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 when their profession was
discovered.
During one Of my trips, the boat put
In at the mouth of the Arkansas river,
and, as usual, 1 took stroll on the shore.
| heard the bell for the departure of
the steamer, and FASTENED back to the
landing. AS | was on my way, was
oyertaken by a man with a broad brim-
med hat, green goggles, and a white
neokcloth, Juggling along with large
valise. . ...,.
II am rather late, am not % said he
rs he joined me.
s'True enough, sir" replied respect.
fully, for the gentleman was a clergy
man, a Methodist itinerant, / suppos-
ed. '5rrO
"My valise is rather heavy, and I
feared / should lose the boat"
y 'sLot me help you carry it, SIR
& He accepted my civil offer, and took
hold ofthe valise, which was certainly
loaded very heavy for Methodist par
son. In few moments we reached the
steamer, and | passed on board; but
my new acquaintance had accomplished
but half the distance, when the plank
canted, and he was thrown into the riv-
en- Fortunately for him, I was prompt
in my efforts to rescue him, and he was
drawn on board, with no other detri-
ment than thorough ducking.
My friend, whom, as / never learned
his name, | shall have to call the Rev.
Mr. Goggles, retired to vacant state
room. 1t was now nearly dark, and I
did not see him again that night.
AS usual, i'll the evening, there was
table in the cabin devoted to cards; in
a word there was gambling without
stint. No one objected to the practice,
SO long as it was not done by profess
ional blacklegs. 1 never played, but
often stood by the table to observe the
progress of the game, and study the
looks OF the players, as they were agita-
ted by the tickle chances Of moment.
While was thus watching them l
observed on the opposite side of the ta-
BILE well dressed gentleman, who was
regarding with eager interest the plays
of the gamblers. He manifested a de-
sire to engage in the place of one who
had been "cleaned out"
1t was soon apparent that the new
conner was a skillful player, and time
after time, he swept the board of all
that had been staked. In short time
his companions had enough of it and
withdrew. He had won a large sum of
money, and was evidently satisfied with
his evenings work
He smoked on the boiler deck until
all the passengers had retired, and then
left. Much curiosity had been mani
tested to know who and what he was.
Nobody had seen him before, and no
body remembered when he came on
board. and what seemed most singular
OF all, he was not seen the next day,
though the boat had not stopped during
the night. .....
The next day was Sunday, and at
breakfast time my Methodist friend
made his appearance.
"My young friend, I have to thank
you for the good service you did me last
evening. I am poor; l have none of
this worlds goods. / trust that all nv
treasures are laid up in heaven. But
the Lord will reward you if 1 cannot"
"Don't mention it, my dear sir /
am happy to have been the means of
saving you.n a
"W e conversed a while upon the mat
ter, and my friend then spoke of hay
ing service on board, if agreeable to
the passengers. OF course it was agree
able, and the parson prayed and exhor-
ted with zeal that would have done
honor to the most celebrated of revi-
Waists. a r.....
The impression produced by the ser
vice, am sorry to say, was not per-
manent, for when evening came, the
gaming table was spread out as usual.
and the games commenced. The mys,
ferrous gambler, appeared again, much
to the surprise of all, for it was believed
that he had landed, or been lost over
board. He played, and swept the board
as before. Some of the weaker ones
began to think lie was the devil in dis.
1 InTn 1o1
tirmed when the next day nothing was
to be found of him.
The passengers made him the sub.
Ject Of their conversation, and quite an
excitement was kindled. The CAPTAIN
swore, if lie appeared again, he would
throw him into the river. A thorough
search was made for him but oil in vain.
My Methodist friend was especially in
dignant, and believed it would be a
good plan to hang every gambler, az
soon as their true character was discoy.
cred. l agreed with him entirely.
One young man from Cincinnati was
particularly distressed at 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 lust
before her death. 1t was not the loss
OF the money that distressed him, for he
had plenty of that, but it was the asso-
citation 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 re-
turn it, with little ring which was at
tached to it.
That evening to the 2isapnointment