The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-03-13
Scene in a Gambling House.

AHo tOllOWiuS very IemdIkaOIo cl1cum-
stance is vouchsd for by Green, the REFORM
ed gambler, which we condense from his
work on gambling. There is a degree Of
romance attached that in degree relieves
it of the horror exciled by the catastrophe.
1t occurred at New Orleans some years ago.
sea captain was in the habit of frequent
ing roulette table, kept by Frenchman,
in company with a parry Of gamblers
Green remarks that they played with more
fairness then than is customary or general
now. The captain was evidently infiuenc-
ed in his visits more by wish 10 kill time
than for any passion for the sport. He had
visited the room frequently, and his invafi.
able bet was twenty FIVE cents, and winner
or loser he never increased it. He visited
the place on the night in question.
The sea captain, having placed his bet
upon the red, sat with his head leaning up
on his hand, as if to await the result OF the
game. The ball fell into the column, and
he was the minner. The wheel started
again, bul the captain did not move, and
contrary 10 usual practice, the amount OF
his bet was doubled. He won the second,
third, fourth, and fifth, the amount doub-
ling each time. Thus it went on 10 the
eighth time, when the gamblers began 10
ge: excited, and utiering loud curses, ex-
claimed, "He wins again ~ Al Ibis many
who were in the room gathered around the
table. The result of the ninth and tenth
| being the same, one of them cried out, ale
| is fool why dolt ne make sure of what
he has won /" The eleventh, twelfth, and
/ thirteenth brought the same result, and
many exclaimed, "He is mad ~
| But The game went on and the captain
| continued needless The fourteenth was
in his favor. AT the fifteenth thousands
were al stake, from the small beginning OF
twenty five cents, and all eyes seemed fix
| ed in amazement Still he won. The six
! teenth was the same. The bankers vocif-
| Grated cnrses on the wheel player. Others
urged the captain TO withdraw at least a
| part of his winnings. Sixteen thousand
| dollars" were at stake for the seventeenth
The ball few like lightning, bui there was
no change The money was piled up be-
fore the captain in heavy bank notes, but
he moved not finger nor uttered word.
Al this iuncture husky voice, 10 sea-
mans phrase, was heard-"Haul in cap
tain you don't bet all that pile against this
set OF land pirates Haul in !" and hand
was stretched forth from one at The table,
graspng The money and deposiling it in
| hat. Having thus secured the money, he
seized the captain by the shoulder, saying,
"Come, you have full cargo, it's time to
set sal'-when horrible to relate, the
corpse of the captain fell against him. He
had been sitting with his head upon his
! hand throughout all this exciting scene, ,hav-
ing died while in the act of betting the first
! quarter. The mate called for water, and
dashed Il in his face then for spirits but
all efforts TO resuscitate him were in vain.
Life was extinct.
The gamblers then demanded that the
money should be refunded but the mate
had rolled il up in handkerchief, but in
the hands of cabin boy, and charged him
to run with it for his life to the ship, deliv-
er it 10 the clerk, and summons the crew to
the gambling house. The confusion was
so great that the boy slipped away unno.
| ticed
When the corpse was laid on the plank
the gamblers again demanded the money
of the mate, stating that as the captain had
undoubtedly died betting the first quarter,
| Justice required that it should be returned
10 the bankess. The mate, in Tone of de-
fiance, replied that the orphan children Of
the captain needed the money, and should
| have it. Force was then threatened If he
refused to give it up. Seeing that their
threats were unhee ded, they rushed upon
him with violence, seized the hat and bore
it of, supposing that they had thus secured
the money; but 10 their surprise the hat
was empty. A large number who were
present took the part Of the mate, and great
excitement prevailed throughout the house.
An insult was made upon the mate. Some
cried one thing and some another. "Down
with him p' ' Get the money !" I" Let
him alone I" ssYou have no right TO rob
him ~ r1ingeI with oaths, ana irnpreca-
tions, and curses. AT this moment twenty
to thirty of The ships crew rushed in, and
one word from the mate brough, them 10
the rescue, and the gamblers were soon
made to stand at distance. Something
was said about the money. which Led ,he