The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1860-06-22
BELLEVUE, LOUISIANA, JUNE 90, 1860

continued during that long summer |
night. The intensity of fthier excitement
became equivalent to insanity. Every
nerve was strung-eVery energy Of the
brain was taxed to the utmost-their
teeth were set as those antagonists in
the ting of mortal strife; the sweat rolled
from their brows like great drops of raid :
The passengers formed circle around
the players, and looked on with that
interest which such extraordinary con
eettration of intellect and passion never
fails to inspire, even the bosoms that
shudder at its excess. The merchant
and gambler attracted all eyes and
kept many awake and gazing till morn.
ing.
Among the latter, presenting coun-
tenance SO piteous that it might have
melted hearts of marble TO tears, pale
and exquisitely formed face peeped IN
eessantly from the half opened door of
the ladies' cabin, weeping all the
while, as if oppressed by a dreadful
sensation ofsome irremedabIe sorrows
1t was the merchants wife weeping her
farewell to departed hopes!
There was one spectator, also, whose
appearance and actions excited as much
curiosity as did the players themselves.
He was tall, spare man ofthirty years
with handsome features, golden hair,
keen blue eyes ofPerpetual brightness;
and his firm thin lips wore a perpetual
smile of the most inscrutable meaning.
With the exception of his. red calico
shirt, bis person was dressed wholly in
buckskin, ornamented with long, flow
ing tassels, and wild fignres wrought Of
some Western Indian. He stood behind
the card table, and held in his ftband
a sheetof paper. and in hisright large
pencil, with which ever and anon, he
dashed of q few wordsas If engaged in
the process ofthe game.
Still the gambler and merchant per-
| severed 10 their physical and mental
toll.
The dial of the stars, with ten thou
sand fingers Of golden frse, pointed to
The world shadows Of midnight; bu
still they did not pause. It was "shuf
le and cut, and cut and pass, ante up
| and call yeu, and rake down the pile.
| Towards the morning tremendeoul
storm arose. The red lightning flashed
awfully-the rain and hail poured dow
4 -
ike frozen cataract-the great rive
roared till it rivalled the. ,loudest thun
I der Of heaven; and the very pilot at tla
| wheel was alarmed. Bntthemad player
1 heard It not. W bat was the tuInul
Of this raging to them, whose destin
hung over the turning ola card;-Ah
/ the smiling blue eyed stranger 10 bucl
skin still stood by them with his pen
ell and paper, calmly noting the d.
} veiOpment Of The game.
II Finally the storm passed, and II
!. beautiful day break came on Ike
d thing of glory IN the East. Then IL
e infatuated merchant distracted Wi
I heavy losses, dared the climax of foil
! lie staked five thossand dollars cor
i psising his last cent il the world,
"two pair Of kings" The whisker
e gamblsrcalled him; theyshowed han,
It The blackleg had ''tWo pair of ace
Of and raked the board. The mercha
: dropped to the floor as if be had be
le shot through the brain, and that bes
ID tifal young wife flew to his side and
I shrieking to his bosom. They W.
81 bone away insensible to the ladi
OF cabin.
he As be deposited bis winnings %
re pocket, the gambler emitted hoa
Fn laugh, that sounded frishtful as
- chuckle Of fend bat he instan
ed lost color as low calm voice retna
i ed in his ear:
er. William, you play strong hand
bis many games, but here stands one