The Van Buren press., 1859-07-13
Miseell:a1lp.
The Mysterious Gambler.
~ Al OLD STAGER.


fhave made several passages up the Mig
sissippi and Ohio rivers, and never without
seeing more or less professional gamblers.
It is thriving business on board the boats.
where the time hangs heavily on the hands
of psssengers. and the blScklegs carry of
large sums OF money. They usually re-
main on board long enough to have their
true character exposed.
These gentry had become such an intole-
rable nuisan< that the captains Of the boats
did not knowingly permit one to come on
board and not unfrequently brace of
blscklegs were landed in the woods, when
their profession was discovered.
During one of my trips, the boat put in
at the mouth of the Arkansas river. and ss
usual took . stroll on shore: I heard the
bell for the departure of the steamer, and
hastened back to the landing as Twas on my
way. was overtaken by gentleman with
. broad brimmed hat. green goggles, and q
white neck-cloth, tugging along with q
large valise.
"Pm r.theflate. am not ?" said he as
he joined me.
"True enough, sir" I replied, respect
fully. for the gentleman was q clergyman.
. Methodist itinerant. supposed.
my valise is rather heavy, and 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 certainly load
ed very heavy for . Methodist parson. In a
few moments we reached the9teamer, and
passed on board but my new acquaintance
hAA a,cnv~nv1sck>l Axr< h.1f khn
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 detriment than thorough ducking.
My friend. whom, Is l have never heard
his name, shall have to call 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 . ta-
bic devoted to cards In word, there was
gambling without stint. No one objected
to the practice. IS long IS it was not done
by professional blacklegs. never played,
but often stood by and watched the prog
ress of the game, and studied the looks Of
players. as they Eere agitated bysthe fekle
While was thus watching them o5-
served /, well-dnesssd gentleman on the op-
posite side of the table, who was regarding
with interest the play of the gamblers. He
manifested as1esire to engage in the plsce of
one who had been " cleaned OUT
1t was soon apparent that the new conner
was skillful player. and time after time he
swept the board Of all that had been stsked.
In short time his sompaniona had enough
of it and withdrew.A He had won large
sum of money, and was evidently satisfied
with his evenings work
He smoked on the boiler deck until all
the passengers had retired uapd then left
Much curiosity had been ID fested as to
who and what he was. Nobody had seen
him before, and nobody remem mbered when
he came on board, and what wasNmost sim
gular Of all. he w1s not seen during the next
day. though the boat was not stopped during
the night.
The next day WAS Sunday. and at break
fast time my Methodist friend made his ap-
pearance.
my young friend. / have to thank you
for the service you did me last evening; /
am poor Ihave none Of this worlds goods.
I trust that all my treasures are laid up in
heaven. But the Lord viii reward ycu if i
cannot"
"DonY mention It. nv dear sir. am