The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-06-07
a GAMBLERS STORY.

VI importance cOnipeileu me 10 make long
and dangerous journey through the wilds
Of New Mexico
| Glanced to have for a travelling COM
panion, noted California gambler by the
name Of Tom Hickman, and as the Apache
tribe of Indians were just at that time I'M
usually hostile. the company Of this brave
man was quite agreeable to me.
Mounted on our hardy little Mexican
ponies, with our trusty rifles resting easily
across our saddles, We started and moved
slowly onward. apparently Indifferent to
the surrounding peril.
The monotony of being a silent sentinel
is at all times irksome, but never more so
than when travelling in an Indian country
| reminded Hickman of this fact and pro.
posed TO him that he should narrate to me
a brief sketch of his life, fol" said l. ait
must be checkered with many strange ad-
ventures"
lie replied. Indeed, you are right as to
its having been strange, for SO it often ap-
pears to me. when l recall any portion of
it; but listen while tell it to you -
Il was born on the right bank of the
Missouri river, several hundred miles above
its mouth. My father owned "A small farm
and few slaves There was large
family Of US, and we all had 10 work hard
to obtain the means Of subsistence. Schools
were scarce in our parts and the only les
son studied after working hours WAS the
art of playing cards.
Seated on logs, | have spent night
after night in gambling with our negroes.
The stakes usually played for in these
games consisted of such minor articles as
pocket-knives. buttons, &c; but oftcntimes
i. happened that even these worldly goods
were scarce among us. and then We played
to kill time, rs the saying is.
1.-THE flatbOats on the river would fire.
quently tie up at our wood yard. and the
first sum Of money ever won was obtained
from the boatmen on them
THUS years few by, until at last | one
day found myself possessed of money sufii-
cient to buy of ncighbor a valuable horse
and equipments.
MY father despatched me, shortly after
this event. to town located over fifty miles
from our lighthouse. 1t was the first time
in my life had been so far from home, or
had seen settlement. With a merry
heart made the journey to the place, but
with sad ore | returned II was the old
story Of the green country boy being dupcd
by the village sharpers
Not satisfied with seeing the sights,
made new acquantances, and finally | fell
into the hands of a professional blackieg,
who easily won my horse and saddle
Bankrupt both in pocket and spirits.
travelled home on foot. This adventure
made me resolve never to touch another
card, and for five years kept my promise
The Mexican war broke out, and | en-
listed in a company of volunteers, and wa,
actively engaged during the war; Fighting
and gaming. you know, 90 hand and hand
therefore my old habits returned to me.
when peace was declared and our
company disbanded. visited my friends IL
Missouri. and then, in company with some
emigrants, | started overland to California
1.-The skill here exhibited as dealer
of the Mexican game Of monte, caused m,
services to be engaged at the then famous
. Ell Dorado House, OF San Francisco Money
5 or rather gold dust, was plenty, and al
gambling was fashionable, never Lacked
for customers.
Il had thus been employed about ST,
> months, when one night was drawn int
c an encounter with desperate, ard in sell
defence l was obliged to iahict on him
= severe wound with my bowie-kniie. Thi
fellow was member Of party of cut
threats who lived about the gambling es
adjustments of tie city, and of whom tb
gamblers were in great dread.
cit now became necessary for me +
make my escape to distant part of tn
, country | advised with my friends, an
they counselled me to 90 to the mines
1.-The knowledge ] had gained of tn
g world by at first being woOdsman, then
. soldier, and finally the boon companion {
N different individuals who style thcmsclyc
;, gentlemen, made me accomplished in a
Of most any character chose to undertake
70 To win the confidence of the miners
rs the locality to which | was bound, | fir:
had to exchange my flash clothing for thos
d os person in Il humber sphere Of iii,
e Fortunately fell in with a Mormon vii
was kind enough TO make the desired e,
change. On my back his garments acte
Just like nettlcs. and during the time tn.
wore them, was never at ease. but col
tinually hankered after more rascality.
I, Before quitting my old haunts in III
city. | had taken the precau.ion TO infor'
- myself Of the most likely plan TO make
raise of some money. \ friend gave II
directions by which | could find the csbi
of man who was we'll known to the 81
rounding country from the fabulous amour
Of gold dust he was supposed to be pc
sessed of. Several gamblers had previous
es endeavored to fleece this man, but he h
re proved too wideawake for them N,othr
a. daunted by this state Of affairs, comme
g, ced my journey. ard after several days
- fatiguing travel on foot, (tor which Il
luxuries Of city life had entirely unfi;tt
= me,) hove in sight of the home Of II
u, intended victim
&c The external appearance Of this hou
did not speak much in favor OF the veal
vs. of its owner, nor was indeed the countl
n about it very inviting, but cheered mys:
ls- with thoughts tina; these were things
".