Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-01-06
mistdtancoas,
From the Trre Flag.
THE MYSTERIOUSGAMBLE
BY AN OLD sTAGER.

or less PtOieSSloDalsl gam0lerS. !. II Is
thriving business on the boats where time
hangs heavily on the hands of the passen.
gers and the l,lacklegs carry off large sums
of money. They usually remain on board
but . day or two-long enough to have
their true character exposed. V 49,, ,.,r.a,
! This gentry had become such an intolera-
bic nuisance that the captains of the boats
did not knowingly permit one to come on
board; and not unfrequenly brace Of
lblacklegs were landed in the woods when
their profession was discovered.
During one efmy trips tie boat pat in
at the mouth of the Arkansas river and
as usual, took a strolloh shore. Iheard
the bell for the departure of the steamer,
and hastened back to the landing. As /
was on my way, / was orertaken BY gem
tlemaH with broad brimmed hat, green
goggles, and a white neckcloth, tugging
along with large valise. .tii''''l'li
! 81 am rather late, am / not |" said he,
/ as he rejeined me. Az s..sfs..I' i
time enough, sir,'"' Ireplied, respectful
iy, for the gentleman was clergyman, a
Methodist itinerant, l supposed. a. -re
"My valise is rather heavy, and l feared
L should loose the boat, i.,g h r.i-J
"Let me help you carry it, sir" es
He accepted my civil offer, and took
hold of the valise, which was certainly
loaded Very heavy for a Methodist parson.
In few moments we reached the steam
er, and | passed on board; but my new
acquaintance had accomplished but half
The distance, when The plank canted, and
he was thrown into the river. Fortunate
" for him, was prompt in my efforts to
rescue him, and he was immediately drawn
on board, with no other detriment than
sound ducking. -.s..
Ny friend, whom, as never learned his
name, | shall have 10 call the Rev. Mr..
Goggles, retired to a vacant staternom-
1t was now nearly dark and did not see
him again that night.
AS usual, in the evening, there was a
table in the cabin, devoted 10 cards in a
word, there was gambling without stint.
No one objected to the practice, so long
as it was not done by professional Black
legs. | never played but l often stood by
the table to observe tie progress of the
game, and study the looks of the players,
as they were agitated by the tickle chan
ces of a moment. M a,.si .zt .i-,i..
While l was thus watching them, / OBJ
served on the opposite side of the table a
well dressed gentleman, who was regard
ing with eager interest the plays of gam
blers. He manifested desire 10 engage
in the place of one who had been cleaned
ou:.J -Ii ; ,'-s.i,r,a 3, s-....-.{
1t was soon apparent that the new COM
er was skillful player, and time after
time be swept the board of all that had
been. staked. Ina short time his eolnpan-
ions had enough Of it and withdrew. He
had won large sum of money, and was
evidently satisfied with his evening" work.
He smoked on the boiler deck until all
The passengers had retired, and then left.
Much curiosity had been manifested TO
know who and what he was. Nobody had
seen hun before, and nobody remembered
when he came on board, and what seemed
most singular of all, We had not stopped
during the night; ID, e.. .,..5..4 !, l-,g
The next day was Sunday, and at break
fast time my Methodist friend made his
appearance. a 5.,s ,.., e..sa
.My young friend, have 10 thank you
for the good service yoI did me last eve
ming. am poor i have none of the worlds
goods. l trust that all my treasures are
Land up in heaven. But the Lord will re-
ward yeu, if II cannot."' ..i5e l...,.s.,
"Don't mention it, my desr sir. am
happy to have been the means of saving
you" asa. aftaH .ana4.
We conversed while upon the, matter,
and my friend then spoke of having service
on board, if agreeable to the passengers-
Of course 1t was agreeable, and the parson
prayed and exhorted with a zeal that would
have done honor 10 the most celebrated re-
vivalists. Lit, :. ....,.5 go. 3. .I....
The impression produced by the service,
l am sorry to say, was not permanent, for
when evening came, the gaming table was
spread out as usual, and the games con.-
menced. The mysterious gambler appear
ed again, much to the surprise of all, for
it was believed that he had landed OF been
lost overheard. He played and swept the
board rs before. Some of the weaker
ones began to think he was the devil in
disguise, and their belief was almost con-
firmed 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. Ny Methodist friend
was especial, indignat, and believed 1t
would be good plan 10 hang every gam
bier. As soon as his true character was
discovered, agreed with Kim entirely.
One young man from Cincinnati was
particularly distressed in the sudden disap-
pearance Of the blackleg, for he had, un-
der the influence of an overdose of brandy,
staked and lost half-eagle, which his
mother had given him before her death.
1t was not the loss Of the money that dis
tressed him, for he had plenty Of that, but
it was the associations connected with the
coin itself. There was history belonging
to it, he said, and he would give the gam
bier double the value oft, if he would re-
turn it, with little ring attached to il.
That evening to the disappointment Of
all on board, who were prepared to deal
with him in summary manner, the black
leg did not appear Man or devil, he had
the means Of knowing the Indignation his