Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-08-19

and yet my success. He finally became
so irritated at his continued bad playing |
that he refused to go on with the game.
The cards were hardly placed to one
side before l expressed my desire to re-
turn TO him his gold. '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 property.
No, no, my good fellow said be,
keep it; you came by it fairly; OBJ
tanned it in the same way from the min
ers.'
That evening my host was less cheer
full 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, in
stead, choose to retire to his blankets at
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 direc-
tions as to what to do during his absence
he started away on horseback in the di-
rection of the nearest settlement. Late
in the afternoon, however, he returned,
but with him came another man, whom
he introduced to me by the name Of Mar
tin. They brought with them jug of
whiskey, and both men pretended to be
| drunk.
| at once saw what was in the wind,
and determined to act accordingly. Mar
tin, knew from his manner to be 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 INDUCED, al
though l went through the motions, we
commenced chatting on various subjects
and wound up by eating supper, which
l had in the meantime prepared. The
two men had evidently been fasting al
day, for their appetites were exceedingly
keen, but after time the repast was fin.
ished and the boards were cleared.
Dacey lit his pipe and brought out hi
cards. He evidently was in his element
and with boast he offered to play Mar
tin and me any game we choose to men
ton. The former accepted the challenge
but | refused it, at which they exhibited
surprise. However, at it they went, ant
, for about an hour they had eyerythin;
their own way, while / remained a sim
pie spectator. Dacey now asked me t
: take his hand, for he said he must go ou
| and look after his riding animals. | com
+; piled, after begging Martin to overloo
i my want Of skill, which he agreed to dc
7 l lost every game until Dacey returned
n but, as expected, | was not allowed
stop playing when he rejoined us. NJ
5 time had arrived to checkmate the
y schemes, and therefore when stalking m
1t own money lost less frequently. 1t Wa
IS clear to me they were partners, and d.
/ cey was the banker. / now went
" work with will, and before morning
e had won nearly all Dacey's gold dus
p The value OF this gold reached hig
figure, yet it was not so great as | hs
n been led to imagine.
r Dacey and Martin did not suspect n
t. true character, until | had drawn the
al too deeply into the game to withdra
en- Martin played desperately but bis {
as tempts at cheating were too feeble for n
sh superior experience. His final bet W
k fool-hardy in the extreme, and when
ed found he had lost, he sprang to his fe
III and with an oath said
Dacey, you found this man and y
nd can keep him. If he is not real ga
ny bier, / never saw one
me Hard words followed, but my revolI
protected myself and winnings. Iqui
:, that cabin within one hour, and al
;, many ups and downs l reached Loy
= California. Here we will end this stol
" said Hickman, " as we are in sight of
Mexican town to which we are bound
The prospect Of soon losing my ira,
ing companion was rather pleasant q
otherwise, for bis deep-laid villainy
5eu began to alarm me, even more so Il
had any danger to be apprehended fl
q the Apaches. What a miserable life e
en- the most successful gamblers lead /!
ng,
sls. About the only person We ever he
riai of that was not spoiled by being lionil
was a Jew, named Daniel.
hat Eg To act upon determination n
70. in anger, is like embarking in a We
,uai during a storm.