Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-03-25

| hase made several passages mp the
Mississippi and Ohio rivers, and never
without seeing more or less profess
ional gamblers. 1t is a thriving bust
ness on board the boats, where time
hangs heavily on the hands Of the
passengers, and the blscklegs carry of
large sums of money. They usually
remain on board day or two-long
enough to have their character exposed.
These gentry had become such al
intolerabic nuisance that the captains
Of the boats did not knowingly permit
one to come on board and not unfre-
quently brace of blacklegs we're land
ed-in the woods when their professions
were discovered.
During one of my trips the boat
put in at the mouth of the Arkansas
river, and as usual, took stroll on
shore. / hear the bell for the depart
urc Of the steamer, and hastened back
to the landing. As was on way back !
met a gentleman with broad brimmed
hat, green goggles, and white neck
cloth, tugging along with large valise.
am rather late, am ! not!" said
he, as he joined me.
"True enough, sir" ] replied re-
spectfuIly, tor the gentleman was a
clergyman. Methodist i,incrant, l
supposed.
MY valse is rather heavy, and l
feared should lose the boat"
Let me help you 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 passed on
board ; but my new acquaintance had
accomplished but half the distance,
when the plank canted and he was
thrown into the river. Fortunately
for him, was prompt in my efforts to
rescue him, and he was Immediately
drawn on board with no other deteri-
ment than thorough ducking.
My friend, whom, as never learned
his name. | shall have to call him
the Rev. Mr.. Goggles, retired to
vacant state room. 1t was now nearly
dark, and did not see him again
that night.
AS usual, in the evening, there was
a table in the cabin, devoted to cards;
in word, there was gambling without
stint. No enc objected to the practice,
SO long as it was not done by profess
ional blacklegs. l never played, but l
often stood by the table to observe the
progress of the game, and study the
looks OF the players, as they we're agit-
ated by the tickle changes of fortune.
While l was. thus watching them, l
observed on the opposite side of the
table, a well dressed gentleman, who
was regarding with interest the plays
of the gamblers. He manifested a
desired to engage in the place OF one
who had been :" cleaned"
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 large sum
of money, and was evidently satisfied
with his evenings work. lie smoked
on the boiler deck until all the passcn-
gers had retired, and then left. Much
curiosity had been manifested to know
who and what he was. Nobody had
seen him bfore, and nobody remember
ed when he came on board, and what
seemed the 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 FREUD
made his appearance.
My good friend, have to thank
you for the good service you did me
last evening. am poor have none
Of this worlds goods. | trust that oil
my treasures are laid up IN heaven.-
But the Lord will reward you if can
not"
"Don't mention it my dear sir. |
am happy to have been the means of
saving you"
We conversed awhile upon the mat
ter, and my friend then spoke of hav-
ing service on board, if agreeable to
the passengers. OF course it was
agreeable, and the parson prayed and
exhorted with zeal that would have
done honor to the most celebrated of
the revivalsts.
The impression produced by the
sermon, | am sorry to say, was not
permanent, for when the evening came
the gambling table was spread out as
Usual, and the game commenced. The
mysterious gambler appeared again,
much to the surprise Of all, for it was
believed he had landed or was lost over
board. He played and swept the board
as before. Some of the weaker ones
began to think that 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 SUBJ
jcct OF their conversation, and quite an
excitement was kindled. The Captain
swore if he saw him again he would
throw him into the river: A thorough
search was made for him, but all in
vain. MY Methodist friend was espec-
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