The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1859-01-29
The Mysterious Gambler.
BY A. OLD sTACER.

srAGER.
have made several passages up the Mis-
sissippi and Ohio rivers, and never withou,
seeing on board the steamers more or less
professional gamblers. 1t is a thriving bu-
Siness on the boat, where time hangs heavily
on the hands OF the passengers, and the
black!eSs carry off large sums of money
They usually remain on board but a day or
two-long enough to have their true charac-
ter exposed.
These gentry had become such an intole.
rable nuisance that the captains Of the boats
did not knowingly perini, one to come on
board; and net unfrequently q brace OF
blacklegs were landed in the woods when
their profession was discovered.
During one of my trips the boat put in ut
the mouth of the Arkansas River, and as
usual, took stroll on shore. heard the
bell for tie DEF arturo Of the steamer, and
hastssed back to the landing As was on
my way, | was overtaken Ly a gentleman
with a broad bIimmed hat, green goggles
and white ncck-cloth, tugging along with a
large valise.
Il am rather late, am aot," said he, as
hejoined me.
"True enough, sir" replied, respectful
", for the gentleman was a clergyman, a
Methodist itinerate, supposed.
My valise is rather heavy, and feared
should lose the boat"
Let me help you carry il, sir"
He accepted my civil offer, and took hold
Of the vaiise, which was certainly loaded We
~ heavy for Methodist parson. In few
moments we reached the steamer. and
passed On board but my ncw acquaintance
had accomplished but half the distance, when
the plank caated, AID hv was thrown into
The river. Fortunately for him, / was
prompt IN my efforts 10 rescue him, ana he
was iu'me lately drawn on board, with no
other detriment than thorough ducking.
Ny friend, whom, as | never learned his
name, shall have to call the Rev. Mr.. Cog
giles, retired 10 a vacant state-room- II was
now nearly DARK, and d.d 40; see him again
that night
As usual, in the evening, there was table
devoted to cards; in a word, there was gam
bling without stint. No one objected TO the
practice, Sc long as it was not done by pro-
iessional blackiegs. never played bu, Of
ten stood by and observed the progress OF
the game, and studied the looks of the play
ers, they were agiiated by the tickle
chances Of a moment.
While | was thus watching them, | OBJ
served well-dressed gentleman on the op-
posite side Of the table, who was regarding c
with eager interest the plays Of the gam
blers He manifested a desire to engage IN
the place of one who had been CLEANED
out"
1t was soon apparent that the new conner
was skiiul player, and time after time be
swept the board Of all that had been staked.
In short time his companions had enough
Of it and withdrew. lie had won q large
sum Of money and was evidently satisfied
with his evenings work.
He smoked on the boiler deck until all the
passengers had retired, and then left Much
curiosity Lad been manifested to know who
and what he was. Nobody had seen him
before, and nobody remembered when he
came on board, and what seemed most sin.
guiar Of all, he was not seen the next day,
though the boat was not stopped dur ing the
night.
The next day was Sunday, and at break
fast time my Methodist friend made his sp
pearance.
My young friend. have to thank you
for the service you did me last evening
am poor; have none of this worlds goods.
l trust that all my treasures are laid up in
heaven. But the Lord will reward you if |
can not"
"Don't mention it, my dear sir. am
happy TO have been the means Of saving
you"
We conversed awhile upon the matter, and
my friend then spoke Of having a service on
board, If agreeable to the passengers. VI
course it was agreeable, and the parsOn
prayed and exhorted with zeal that would
have done honor to the most celebrated re-
vivalist.
The impression produced by the services,
l am sorry to say, was not permanent, for,
when evening came, the gaming table was
spread out as usual, and the games com
menced. The mysterious gambler appeared
again, much to thc surprise of all, for it was
believed that he had landed, or been lost
overheard. He played and swept the board
as before. Some OF the weaker ones began
to think 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 subject of
their conversation, and quite an excitement
was kindled. The captain swore if he ap-
peared again, he would throw him into the
river. A thorough search was made for
him, but all in vain. My Methodist friend
was especially indignant, and believed it
would be good plan to hang every gam
bier. As soon as the true character was
discovered, agreed with him entirely
One young man from Cincinnati was par
ticularly distressed in the sudden disappear
ance of the blackleg, for he had, under the
influence of an overdose of brandy, staked
and lost a half eagle. which his mot her had
given lin just before her death. 1t was
not the loss of the money that distressed
him, Tor he had plenty Of that; it was the
association connected with the coin ITSELF
There was history belonging to it, he said,
and he would give the gambler double the
value Of it, if he would return it, with lit
tie ring attached to it. That evening, to the
disappointment Of all on board, who were
prepared to deal with him in q summary
manner, the blackleg did not appear. Man
OF devil, he had the means of knowing oI
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 it seemed certain that be
could not have gone ashore.
The next day was talking with the Rev
Mr.. Goggles. not about the gambler but on
general topics. Of course his life, - an