The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-10-21

not porn TO be dro"ned-not that time. any.
way. There was cry of man overheard
from the watch on deck. | sprans out n.
my state room with Muster. "Save him
Master" said |. The dog didn't need
another invitation, aud he caught him and
held him up, just as he showed you, until the
steamers boat picked them both up, and
brought them on board again. The captain
came down on Rodden, but Rodden drew !
bowie-knife and showed fight The boai had
touched at Memphis, and before ANYTHING
could be done he broke away and vas clear.
His mother, elegant and imperturable as
ever had their baggage taken ashore, and We
were soon on our way, like the river. and life
and all that sort of thing, and | forgot all
about the adventure. One can't remember
everything, as the man said when he wen,
into the woods to chop and forgot his AK. /
got through with my business st New Or
leans. 1t was a city then. full of wealth and
beauty, lying, purple grape, in the sun, full
OF luscious pulp and sweetness. Well, If is
Just like grape skin now sucked and thrown
under foot to be trodden on but we'll ad-
journ that subject.
On the fifth of May left New Orleans TO
return North. / went on board that palace
of boat, Black Hank, and almost The first
person | saw was Rodden's mother. There
she was, with the slme stately presence, the
same Sla"en forehead. and false front, the
same rich lace AMI moire antique to which
We're now added alsbing jewels; and there
Was the pretty little woman with her baby.
now about year old, and both dressed in
the same snowy manner; and presently !
saw the hard faced gambler, Rodden. The
young mother and her baby looked pale and
Ill; the old mother and her hopeful looked
flushed and eager for prey. | paid so much
attention to those people and thought so
much of what they had probably been doing
all winter in New Orleans. that | rather
neglected the other passengers hnt the day
after We started | observed 4 particular green
locking Individual, with light faAen hair,
an awkward slouched hat. bluse homespun
pantaloons. and but.ernut colored coat,
which seemed 10 ME both homespun ard
made he had old yarn gloves on, which he
rever removed except 10 put on some old
l-a;hef OF h;d oTes. | watchedsthe gambler
+; itksG somehow transpired that his gawky,
j nespun individual had been TO New Or
leans with consi! !erah.- cargo of hac5n and
cheese. | thought ot pocr Greene and hi
$30O0. Oae day | SEW Rodden and the
strang,r-Ike. SO he call himself-.ogeth-
No matter about my name, Mister" sad
he, "call ne Ike, III answer to that TIL the
cows come home. You can't come it ever
me calling me mister. How DO know but
that yol are one of them fellows that plays
poker and a,lus wins?
a never PLAYED bat three games of poker
n my life." said Rpdden. '.but I'll PLAY eu-
chre with you for the drinks
No YOU don't. Look here. mister" pull
Ing down the lower eye lash, do You SET
a2ything green there ?"
Il see that vou have cut your eve teeth,
said Rodden. Il wonldnt U dertake to chea
you il cheating was my uade, which, an
happy 10 say, it Is not.
"Yoa don't say, Good-lookin', but Y,
can't come III. | shan't play fer the drinks
nor .or nothing els@. promised Susy, whei
! come away. that wouldn't itch a kaird
,he hui. time was off; an no more | won I
Yea see. five thousand dollars worth of ba
con and cheese would not be shakes al all I
one o them :sllers that plays poker"
Taat's so" said Rodden. You are wise.
Yes, an that amt the hull ont, for m
moneys in the cap'ns safe, and what's NOR
it'll stay there Til half an hour afore land
AT -" said Rodden. suggestirely.
"At-yes. III but where al is, you'll has
, to find cut, for told Susy Id keep as dar
as a woodchuGk's hole, and not talk TO NJ
body moren was rally necessary. As
YOU wouldn't mind telling you, for | too
, TO vou at wonst. Iou are smart, but yO
can't keep hotc'. or yen wouldn't come TO Il
about kairds. You might have known
/ wouldn't play, by the lcoks of NE"
p R9dden was perseyering the man
q homespun was firm. The young wife seen
\ ed more Ill, terrified, and miserable, eve
: hour; the old mother more hard. proud ar
:mperious. She would take the baby, ket
il from It's mother, and | believe pinch
simply to torture the poor woman. Rodde
. never interfered to protect her. What Ii
that poor thing was leading, and what ia
: for her child. One evening heard Rood
talking u the gawky man about play.
Look O. here now," said the latter, /"
i you ever say kalrds 10 me sgln, III plieh
o 10 We. I'm a NAH of my word, special
= when my words given to Susy. But l ha
; got a pocket full of dice, and they amt loa
70 ed Dice nuiher. Ef you want TO play enOu
r. 10 5et something handsome agin my terbat
v er-Lox, II play With you.
$ lie drew oul very ancient silver box,
- a6Oat FIVE dollars weigh, and la:l it on ,
at table. Rodden sat down . business, witt
n g,elm in his dark eyes that meant mischi
is He won then lost it. 1t vas lost a
- won several times, but retired at last in