The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-09-15
The impression produced by the service !

The impression produced by the service
am sorry to say, was not permanent, for when
evening came, the gaming table was set out
as usual, and the games commenced. The
mysterious gambler appeared again much to
the surprise of all, for twas believed that he
had landed or was lost overheard. He play
I'd, 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 gambler, as
soon as their true character was discovered.
I 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 losta half eagle, which his mother had
given him just before her death. It was
not the loss of the money that had Distress
ed him, for he had plenty ofthat, but it was
the associations 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 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 the indignation his acts had
caused. There was strange mystery abou
him. Every part Of the steamer was again
searched in vain for him. And it seemed
certain that he 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 as an itin-
Grant was full of interest to me. He told me
how cheaply he had lived and travelled from
place to place that he was often hungry,
and never had more than ten dollars at once.
II have only five now" To verify his
statement, he took from his pocket a half
eagle. an3 a.I~--#a S o a)
glanced at it There was Eole in it
with ring attached 1t was certainly the
property of the young man'from Cincinnati.
"What is the ring for p asked.
"This piece was given me by woman in
Arkansas, who was converted under my
preaching" aae
The liar, had already made up my mind
that he was an imposter, in short that he was
the mysterious gambler. Before dinner, I
had an opportunity to whisper my views to
the Captain, and while we were at dinner, his
state-room was searched. A large sum of
money was found there, and many of the
gambler tools, as well as the dress the sun
known" had worn.
"Parson, can you swim ?" asked the cap
tain as the Reverend Mr.. Goggles came upon
the boiler deck.
"a littIe," he replied.
"You will have chance to try am GO
ing to throw you overheard"
The captain took him by the collar, and
explained the matter to the astonished pas
sengers, who were quite ready to assist in
emptying his pockets, and then throwing
him overheard. The money taken from him
was paid over to his victims. 4
The last we saw of him he was swimming
vigorously towards the shore. cursing the
captain with quite as much zeal as he had
used in praying and exhorting.
DrscRAcEpUL ScENE.-On Sunday, Aug.
7th, a disturbance took place in the parish
church Of st. George in the East, London, of
which the Rev. Bryan King is rector For
some time past feeling of dissatisfaction
has existed among the Pensioners, in conse-
quence of the Tractarian practice sanctioned
by the rector; and for several Sundays,
lately, a number of persons have regularly
hissed and hooted him and his curate, both
going in and leaving the church with his
choristers.
On Sunday afternoon, when the service
was finished and the choristers were leaving
the church, they. met some persons in the
lobby with their hats on, and on passing
them to 60 into the vestry to unrobe, they
attempted to knock their hats off. One of
the choristers then struck some person, when
fearful disturbance took place. The crowd
attempted to pull the choristers' surplices of,
and many blows were exchanged between
the infuriated parties; hats were knocked
of, groans, hootings, and Kisses were heard !:
cries of Turn out the Puseyitcs," Go to
Rome" 'Police," were raised and fearful
confusion took place. Mr.. churchwarden
Thompson, who entered the building at this
time, insisted that the rector Immediately
order his choristers to retire to the vestry,
which was soon done. When the rector and
his choristers left to 60 to the rectory, they
were again met with deafening groans, yells,
&C., which continued until they took shelter
in the rectory.