Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-09-09
THE GAMBLERS CABIN.
BY J. II. GREER.

Near the mouth of the Yazoo river, in
the year 1888, stood a small leg cabin
The furniture consisted of q bsdstead, a
table sew eral rude benches, and q few
common camp cooking utensils. 1t was by
a cideut that | visited It, and learned the
facts OF the following tale of sorrow. The
steamer Walter Scott was running at that
time as a racket between Yanzao city,
(now knoK n as MancbesteT) and New o =
leans. Upon me Of her upward trips we
t,ok passage Alter she had passed some
nj les up tie river enc Of her steampipes
exploded, which event babe fair 10 cause
US several days delay. The captain made
known the facts to the passengers, stating
that he must take the yawl and return 70
VIckoburg, and would be happy to carry as
many Of the passengers as their couveni>
rce would permit. Among these who
conclndt j to remain in the steamer were
| several gamblers. Oue Of them, whose
/ n me was Sumpter, proposed t. me part
/ nership with him in gambling during our
/ d,lay in this place. which proposition |
| read " accepted. He told me that he had
frequently remained here for severa! days
( at a time and although the place had the
/ aprearance Of Wilderness. there were
macy rattsmen, who we're settled within a
few miles, and they all gambled During
our converse ton we were approaching a
large cane brake, near the edge of which
stood the cabin above referred to. The
door was mar aut of which we discovered
smoke pouring IN volumes. We entered
and found an cid mattrass burning, which
we carried out of doors. On the bedsteaC
in the back part of the room. as the smoke
cleared away we espied human form
which, upon examination, proved to be al
old nan, whose appearance Indicated th'
age of sixty-6ve or seventy years. Iii
countenance was highly intellectual, bu
{ bore indubitable marks OF crime ant
wretcheduess. Our efforts to awaken hin
appeared hopeless, until after some tw
hours, when there were some indications o
returning life. Upon opening his eyes, a
he looked around, he appeared much suT
prised but calmly asked whence we came
and what we meant by such an intrusion
| told him that we were passengers OF tn
Walter Scott that curiCusly led us rear hi
cabin, and as we approached 1t discoTerin
the smoke, we came to bis rescue. Ill
then fixing his eyes upon me, remarSe
that it would have been as well for me, an
the world too, bad | not paid to bis cabi
4 the visit, which seemed to think was for
tunate for him that the fire would 800
t. have finished his probation, and the worl
have suffered thereby no loss. He the
directed u my companion an inquirin
look, at which the latter seemed uneas.
and remarked that we had better leave e
the boat. The old man gave signi6cai
nod, and said:
"N9! ye-c-si Of course ha ha it sui
you better Yes, young man" said be, Il
- along With him this cabin don't su
him."
! perceived that there was some fearf
mystery in which my companion SCENE
involved. AS we turned away from Il
" old mans abode Sumpter remarked:
81 know that old villain. They call hi
old Charley"
What does he do for liviug" i
quired.
he is an old broken-down gambler, thai
all. Pity we had Lot let him and his ca
in burn up together, for all the good he
u u to himself or anybody else.
Such is the gamblers estimate of b
own calling, and the verdict be pronounc
upon his own character. To the remar
Of my companion made no reply, but pt
d ceived that he was very uneasy and that
y endeavored to make the impression th
there was no importance to be attached
the old mans insinuatioDs lin respect
him. We had barely reached the DO
\, when another steamer, on her downWa
passage, made her appearance, which "
;. hailed by Sumpter and companions. D
rounded to and took them on board.
soon as / was rid of that company, fro
ID motives of curiosity, Iresolved upon anot
N er visit to the gamblers cabin. As a
" preached the door observed the old mi
: sitting upon the step caressing large do
The latter manifesting his displeasure
" my visit, his master bade him be quiet.
lie "How do you feel sir" said "ha
, you recovered 2"
do you thick look any better i' he !
q piled with hsndith grin.