The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-05-02

|, make this one venture further, snt
then break the spell, Lot it be lose ol
win. Right end left--right and LEFT
The queen came frst-to the left! =
Lostl The knave came ub--to the
right! I had won againl gather.
cd my game, and then looked for the
Hoosier; but he had gone.
"Perhaps you1l try the knave
again?" said ths banker.
! told him mo, I had played
enough" pushed over my
cheques, and he gave me the cash
for them--some gold, and some bank
notas--to the amount OF nearly elk
thousand dollsrs. went to the bar.
and took Q glass Of wine, and then
started tot my boat. The night was
dark, and ! had q long distance to
walk. looked at my watch as !
came through the hall, and found il
to be half an hour past midnight |
began to think that | had been a
fool. But there was, and l must
make the best OF my way to the
boat. So l started at . brick walk,
intending to strike the Levee near
the mint, AMI then follow the course
OF the river. | had goue q half q
mile or 60, when heard heavy foot
steps behind me. increased my
rate of speed, but the following foot.
steps still came nearer. | hurried
on, but to no effect tho echo behind
me was not to be outwslksd. | felt
for my pistol, but had none. !
had not brought IL with me. | had a
dirk knife, and that WAS ell. BY.
and by the step sounded 3D. near
that | turned to see who il was tha,
pursued me. At the distance of a
few yards behind me came q tall
gsunt figure which recognized
by the street lamp. As the dull
glare fell upon the OK like form, |
knew It was the Hoosierl
| would have started TO run, but
it was to late. lie was upon mo.
and his hand was upon my arm. I
would have shouted tor help, but he
might have killed me to stop my
noise. 7 wonld have drawn my
dirk knife, but the show OF opposit
ion might only have called the ri.
ants strength down upon me 10
crush me. My instinct told me 10
he passive and wait for the worst. -
We were in a lonesome spot, with
not a light visible, save the few
str, ct lamps that sent their sickly
rays through the dingy glass; and
il the fellow meant to rob me, or tc
kill me, ! knew not how to help my
se,f.
stranger" he said, his voics
sounding irightfnIly low and hollow
you played agin me to night"
"No," replied, trying to speak
plainly-to speak calmly was out oI
the question Il had nothing to do
with you. | was playing against
the bank"
''lt's all the same" he continued
"Our luck ran together, an twas
you agin ire. an me agin you. |,
don't make no odds now, I'm dead
broke. | amt got single pic.
BOLD onl Dye see this2'
He reached his right hand np ovel
his shoulder, and, from beneath his
coat, he drew forth the largest, long
eat, brightest, and most savage look
Ing bowie knife had ever seen.-
My knees smote together, and III,
heart leaped to my throat.
"You've got money. he went on
as he held the cleaning weapon i
his hand. "You won it-won it all
| lost lost all. I'm dead bro Ike
not pic. ! want enough to GO
home. | paid twenty dollars in clea
Fysller gold for this yer tooth pick. -
Give me fifteen dollars on it, an III
go. e. ye're q man, ye wont reius
that"
Mercy! What letting down wa
that! Instead of seeking my life
, the poor fellow had followed me 70
the purpose OF pswning his howl
knife! He was acquainted will
J none of those whom he had soen a
the gaming house, aud he had n
friends in the city. | feared him n
, more. As | spoke with him now.
felt that he was a true. hearted m an
II you get fifteen dollars, yol
t will 60 back to the gaming tabl
again" | said
His answer was slow and sure:
"I've tried it twice, stranger; an
/ when | try it again Ill let you know.
I | told the man 20 come with me
A "Come to the boat" l said ian,
= you shall have the money"
He said, perhaps I'd let him sta
. on board all night.
r Of course would.
8 As we walked along, | made u
, my mind just what | wonld do, an
when we reached the boat, l too
e him to my stateroom, and hanic'
K. him n chair, Said |:
i. "My friend, Ihave made a resolu
tion, since we have been walkin
n together; | have resolved that vii
Q gamble no more. While you and
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