The Van Buren press., 1859-07-13
happy to have been the means of saving

you"
We conversed = while upon the matter,
and my friend then spoke OF having service
on board i agreeable to the passengers. OF
course 1t was agreeable. and the parson pray
ed and exhorted with zeal that would have
done honor to the most celebrated revival
ist.
The impression producsd by the service,
am sorry to say. was not permanent; for
when evening came. the gaming table was
spread out. as usual, and the games COM
meneed. The mysterious gambler appear
ed again, much to the surprise ri eli. for it
was believed that he had landed, or been
lost overheard. He played and swept the
board as before. Some of the weaker ones
began to think he was the devil in disguise,
and their belief was almost confirmed when
tho next day nothing could be found of HIM.
The passengers made him the subject OF
their conversation. and quite an excitement
was kindled. The captain swore if he ap-
peared again he would throw him overheard
A thorough search was made for him. but
all in vain.
Ny Methodist friend was especially indig-
nsnt. and believed it would be good plan
to hang every gambler. As soon as the
true character wasdiscovered. agreed with
him entirely. One young man, from Gin
cinnati. was particularly distressed in the
sudden disappearance of the bla;kleg, for he
had, under the influence of an overdose of
brandy, staked and lost half eagle. which
his mother had given him just before her
death. II was not the loss of the money
that distressed him, for he had plenty Of
that it was the associations connected with
the coin istelf. There was history be-
longing to it, he said, and he would give
the gambler double the value of it, ii he
would return it with the little ring attached
to it. That evening. to the disappointment
of all on board who were prepared to deal
with him in . summary manner. the bia;k-
leg did not appear. Man or devil. he mad
the means of knowing of the indignation
his acts had caused. There was strange
mystery about him. Every part of the
steamer was again sesrched for aim in vain
and it seemed certain that he could not have
gone ashore.
The next day Twas talking with the Rev.
Mr.. Goggles, not about the gambler, but
on general topics. Of course his life as an
itine-ant. was full of interest to me. He
told M how cheaply he lived AMI travelled
from place TO place that he was often hun
cry, an never had ten .dollSrs a. once.
81 nave but five, now" he said. and to
verify his statement, he took from his pock-
ct hall eagle.
glanced at it. There was hole in it
with . ring attached 1t was the property
of the young man from, ciasinnasi.
~ NAT r ho rinry 4 ssIo1
"This piece was given me by woman in
Arkansas, who was converted unler my
preaching"
The liar Ihad already made up my
mind that be was an inrpostor in short.
that he was the mysterious gambler. Before
dinner time had an opportunity to w4,is-
per my views to the captain, and while We
were at dinnerphis state room was searched.
A large sum of money was found there and
many of the gamblers tools. as well ss the
dress the unknown had worn.
"Parson, can you swim :? +" asked the
captain. IS the Rev. Mr.. Goggles came up
ON the boiler deck.
"a little" he replied with . demure
smile.
You will have chance to try / am
going to throw you overheard"
The captain took him Z the collar. and
explained the matter to tn astonishsi pas
sengsrs. who were quite ready to assist in
emptying his pockets. and then throwing
him overheard. The money taken from
him was paid to his victims.
The last we saw Of him, he was swim
ming vigorously towards the shore. cursing
the captain with as much zeal as he had
used in praying and exhorting.
The young man from Cincinnati got his
cherished coin, and l t ust he learned 3 USE
full lesson.