Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1859-04-27

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Seeing that the purpose of A. M
was unchangeably fixed, Lynn desisted
from urging his own plan, and promised
his hearty cooperation, as far as il might
be needed, in the execution of the one
preferred by his friend. And thus the
conference ended.
1t was already dark. After tea, A
M accompanied by his friend, went
out in quest of Orme, and, after pro.
tracted search through the drinking
houses and gambling dens of the city,
found him in one Of the latter, in which
large crowd Of spectators and players was
assembled, absorbed in conducting or
watching the various games. IL had been
agreed between A. NJ and Lynn
that, as soon rs they found themselves in
the same room with Ormc they should af-
feet complete unacquaintance, but should
generally keep close together, and never
pass out of each others sight. A. Nj
drew his cap down over his forehead and
brow until the projecting rim of leather in
front almost completely shaded his eyes
and the middle and upper portion of his
face. A pair of enormous whiskers, pro.
vided for the occasion, gave ferocity to his
look, and concealed the outlines of his
lower features. Thus disguised, he might
safely have defied the recognition of his
most intimate friends.
Orme, whose passion for play was insa-
table, had improved the few hours of his
stay in Galveston, in making acquaintan-
ces among the gamblers, who literally
swarmed in the city. As neither letters
of introduction nor credentials OF any sort
are required TO secure admission to the
privileges and recognition of the fraterni-
ty, he made, of course, easy and satisfac~
tory progress in the business, especially
after it became known, from his own dec
larations, that he had money, and was not
unwilling to risk it at the gaming-table-
two things which make man almost i'm.
mediately popular among the sharpers
who fierce, with cards and dice, as pick
pockets do with their fingers. lie had
been successful in play at New Orleans,
and came, like n golden argosy from the
East, freighted with shekels, into the god
less temples of unhallowed gain in the
west.
At the moment A. NJ and Lynn
entered the room, he was bantering some
of his new acqua,ntances for game. The
very fact that he proiessed TO be flush OF
money made them chary of accepting his
challenge; since full purse, in their pro.
fession, argued keen playor or a cunning
trickster, and, not unfrequently, the ac
/, complshments of both combined. He
readily found partner, but was unsuc-
cessiul, thus far, in the search for an op
ponent.
At length, passing from banter to in
dividuals to a challege in general, he pro.
claimed, in loud, defiant tone of voice
his willingness and eagerness to play witt
any person in the room.
A. N at once stepped forward
and announced an acceptance of the chal'
: lenge. Orme cast upon him an almost
scornful look, and inquired whether he
had money or impudence to bet. Retort
ing his glance with one of equal scorn
and of real hate, A. NJ replied,
ayes, | have money of my own to bet
and the skill to win you're, too"
"Well, then, get you partner, and We
will soon see ii you have either" retorteC
Orme, with most forbidding scowl, which
! had become habitual with him from hi
constant attempt to intimidate those Will
. whom he played and thus to gain an adj
vantage over them in the game, whil'
flurried with excitement produced by hi
fierce look and domineering voice.
A. N, affecting to be total stran
ger to every one present, inquired il an!
. one of those around him would consent t,
be his partner in the game? Lynn, wht
: was standing close by, cried out that h
would, and added, good humoredly, as h
: advanced to join the three, that, although
: they were strangers, he hoped they woulC
!, pull we'll together in the game.
J, A table and chairs were soon procured
the stakes, small in amount, but which, j
= was agreed, should be made larger as Tia
play progressed, were deposited, with tn
: counters, in the proper place, and tn
game began.
> Neither A. NJ nor Lynn had eve
. PLAYED for wager in his life, and botl
: looked with unutterable loathing upol
: the brutalizipg profession of the gambler
y Unacouainted even with all the evolution
u of the particular game in which they wer
. engaged. and utterly ignorant of the NOR
recondite resources Of the gamester's art
they were no matches for their opponents
e who were skiful and practised player:
and. consequently, lost every bet. Orme
. elated with success, and fired with tn
;, hope of still larger winnings, waxed NOR
. insolent and overbearing than ever. II
e chided his partner, rallied at his opponents
i and became fluent in the dialect of til
bully and the hrowbeater. AT length h
= ventured to reprimand A. Nj, in
u most hectoring tone of voice, for a play h
n had Just made, which was slightly variar
e from the established rules OF the game
q A Nj retorted with severity an
d kecnness which surprised the compdn!
J, and stung Orme TO the quick. The latte
II bullied and clustered, but still kept h
e seat. A. NJ, rising from his, tire
II a wine glass full in the face of Orme, 81
L plying to him. at the same time, and in
o very loud tone of voice, the most stinl
Ie ing epithets known to the vocabulary ,
e abuse. Orme, who was by no means def
p cient in personal courage, sprang from h
n seat, as il for the purpose of avenging tt
3 :..l;cn;tv of n nersonal assault upOn