The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-02-24

VICE dHl sorry 10 say was not ptriud-
nent, for when evening came the gam
ing table was spread out, as usual and
the games commenced. The mysteri-
Gus gambler appeared again, much to
the surprise of all, for it was believed
that he had been lost overheard or
stopped at one OF the landings. He
played, and swept the board as before.
Some of the weaker ones began to be-
lieve that he was the devil in disguise,
and their belief was almost confirmed,
when, the next day, nothing could be
found of him.
The passengers made him the sub
ject of their conversation, and quite an
excitement was kindled. The captain
swore, if he appeared again, he would
throw him into the river. A thorough
search was made for him, but all in
vain. My Methodist friend was espe-
cia!ly indi.nl ant, and believed it would
be good plan to hang every gambler.
As soon as his true character was dis
covered, / agreed with him entirely.
One young man from Cincinnati, was
particularly distressed in the sudden
disappearance of the blackleg, for he
had, under the influence of an over
dose of brandy, staked and lost half
eagle, which his mother had given him
just before her death. 1t was not the
loss of the money that distressed him
for he had plenty of that, but it was
the associations connected with the
piece itself. There was history be-
longing to it, he said, and he would
give the gambler double the value of it
if he would return it, with little ring
attached to it.
! That evening, to the disappointment
of all On board, who were prepared to
deal with him in a summary manner,
the blackleg did not appear. Man or
devil, he had the means of knowing OF
the Indignation his acts had caused.
There was strange mystery about
him. Every part of the steamer was
again searched in vain for him, and ii
seemed certain that he could not have
gone ashore.
The next day was talking with the
Rev. MIR. Goggles, not about the gam
!. bier, but on general topics. Of-course
his life, as an itinerant, was full of in
terest to me. He told me how cheaply
he lived and travelled from place te
place, that he was very often hungry
and never had over ten dollars at once
q have only five now," he said and
in verifcation of his staetment, he took
from his pocket half eagle.
/ glanced at it. There was hole ii
in it, with ring attached twas Ger
tainly the property OF the young mar
from Cincinnati.
"What is the ring for?'' ] asked.
This piece was given me by /;
woman in Arkansas, who was convert
ed under my preaching"
The liar! | had already made NJ
: my mind that he was an imposter, il
: short that he was the mysterious gam
!; bier. Before dinner time, l had al
| opportunity to whisper my views to tn
captain, and while we were at Dime
his state-room was searched. A larg
sum of money was found there, an'
: many gamblers tools as well as tn
dress which tie unknown :" had worn
Parson, can you swim?" asked tn
: captain, as the Rev. Mr.. Goggles cam
l upon the boiler deck.
!, :. A little," he replied with a demur
$ smile.
" You will have chance to try;
= am going to throw you overheard
The captain took him by the collar
: and explained the matter to the aston
, passengers, who were quite ready t
assist in emptying his pockets, an
then throwing him overheard. Th
; money taken from him was paid over t
u his victims.
The last we saw of him, he wa
a swimming vigorously towards the shor
!. !. eursing the captain with quite as niue
u zeal as he had used in praying and e,
. horting,
!. e The young man from Cincinnati gt
: his cherished coin, and | trust learne
: a useful lesson.