Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-09-23
MIS- G. LII A N Y.
A GAMBLERS STORY.

New Mexico.
chanccd to have for u travelling com
panion noted California gambler, by the
name OF Tom Hickman aud as the Apache
tribe Of Indians were just at tha, time un.
usually hostile, the company Of this brave
man was particularly agreeable TO me.
Mounted on our hardy little Mexican po-
mics, with our tru'ty rifles resting easily on
our saddles, we started and moved slowly
onward. apparently Indifferent to tho sur.
rounding peril.
Tho monotony Of being silcn, sentinel Is
at all times irksomo, but never more 50
than when travelling in an Indian country.
I reminded Hickman Of this fact and propo.
.cl to him that be should narrato TO mo a
br1ef sketch Of his life, "for." said I, Z" It
must be chcckcrcd with many strange al.
ventures
lie replied "Indccd, you are rish, as
to its having been strange, for % it often
appears to me, when | recall any portion
OF 1t but listen TO me while tell IL to you:
81 wa, born on tho rish, bank OF the
Missouri river. several hundred lilies above
il. mouth NV father owned a small farm
and few slaves. There was large fami.
/ ly Of u., and we all had to work hard 60
obtain tho means Of subsistence. Schools
were scarce IN our part-, and tho only lcs.
son studied after working hours was the
sr, Of playing cards.
Seated on logs. | have spent nigh, after
nigh, IN gambling with our negroes. The
stakes usually played for in these game,
consisted Of such minor articles as pocket
knives, buttons, &C.; but orten.timcs /. hap
pcned tba, even these worldly goods were
scarce among Us, and then we played to kill
time As the sayingis.
Tho nat.boa,s ON tho river would IRE.
qucntly tie up At our wood yard, and the
frs, sum Of money ever won was obiaired
from the boatmen on them.
Thu. years ncw by, until at last I ono
day found myself possessed Of money sufIi.
cicnt to buy Of a neshbor a valuable horse
and equipments.
Ny father dispatched me, shortly after
this event, 10 town located over flty miles
from our lo:.housc. l, was the first time
in my life had been so far from home. or
had seen a settlement. With merry heart
| made the journey to the place but with a
.ad one returned. I, was the old story Of
the green country boy being daPcd by the
village sharpcr.
Not satisfied with seeing the sights, |
made new acquaintance-, and finally fcll
into the hand. Of professional blackleS, who
easily won my horse and saddle.
Bankrupt both in poke, and spirits, l
travelled home on foot. Tbi. adventure
made me resolve never to touch another
card, and Tor five years | KEEP, my promise.
The Mexican war broke out, and enlist
ed in a company Of volunteers, aud was ac-
siysly engaged during tho war. Fighting
and gaming, you know, 50 hand in hand
therefore my old habits returned to the.
When peace Was declared and our com.
uany disbanded, | visited my friends In Mis-
sour, and then IN company with some em-
grants, started overland to California.
The skill here exhibited a, dealer Of
the Mexican game Of monte, caused my SER
vices to be engaged at the then famous II
Dorado House, Of san Francisco. Money,
or rather gold dust was plenty; and as
gambling was fashionable, | never lacked
for customers.
| had been thus employed about siH
months, when one night was drawn into
an encounter with despcrado, and 10 self
defence was Obliged TO inlict on him se-
we're wound with bowie-kniic. This Eel,
low was member OF party Of cut-throat'
who lived about the gambling establish.
meuts OF the city, and OF whom the gamb'
lers were in great dread.
II now becimc necessary for me TO make
my escape 10 q distant part OF the country.
| advised with my friends, and they coun'
scllel the to 20 to the mines.
The knowledge had gained Of tho world
BY being at frst woodsman, then soldier
and finally the the boon companion OF dill
ercnt individuals who styled themselves gen.
tlcmen, made me accomplished in almost
any character chose TO undertake.
To win the confidence OF the miners Of the
locality to which was bound, | first had to
exchange my fash clothing for those OF a
person in humber sphere Of life. fortu-
natoly fell in with Mormon who was
kind enough to make the desired exchange.
On my back, his garments acted just like
net,les, and during the time that wore
them was never at case, but continually
hankered alter more rascalty.
Before quitting my old haunts in the city
I had taken the precaution to inform my
self Of the mos, likely plan to makea raise
Of some money. A friend gave me arec.
iions by which could find the cabin OF a
man who was well known to the surround.
ing country, from the fabulous amount of
gold dust be was supposed to bo possessed
Of. Several gamblers had previously en-
deayored to fleece this man but be had prov.
ed too wide awake for them. Nothing
daunied by this state Of Affairs, I conmenc.
ed my journey, and after several days OF
fatiguing travel on loot, (for which the lux.
uries Of city life had entirely untitled me,) !