The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-09-26
GAMBLING POR LIFE.


a friend narrated to Us a few wears
since, an anecdote of early times in West
tennessee, which we will attempt TO re-
peat even at the risk of losing the graphic
| simplicity OF his conversational narrative.
Some eighteen or twenty years since a
well known resident of Upton county was
put on his trial, charged with the murder
OK his wife. As usual in such cases. pop-
ular feeling was largely against him, and
ali the eloquence and ingenuiiy OF his
counsel were required TO make any i'm
preston IN his favor upon a Jury, which.
however impartial it might desire to be in
the consciousness of sworn duty. could not
bat see the waves Of popular prejudice sur
ging in upon it.
Tie case was ably argued. The coun-
sci for the defence made most vigorous and
lmPasslonate appeals. The case was sub
mitted 10 the jury and they retired to
make up their verdict. Time passed. and
as the setting sun warned all OF the ap-
preaching night, The large thrung in at
tendance, the judge, counsel, etc, retired,
all anxious, the accused not the least so.
TO learn the verdict of the jury, and some
wondering that the jury hesitated for one
moment TO bring in verdict of guilty
In the meantime the jury had come to a
point beyond which they could progress
no further. The appeals of the counsel
for the defence had not been without their
influence, and the jury stood unchangea-
ble, six for conviction and six for acquit-
tai. Something had to be done In those
days twelve good fellows could not be
got together for a night, and sleep Cards
appeared mysteriuusly from the depths of
sundry large pockets, and exercises in
seven-up and poker were zealously COM
menced
About midnight one of their number,
Col p, proposed that they should play
game of sevrn-up, the result to decide the
verdict. The proposition was heartily
and unanimously agreed to, in all serious
ness, and the whole crowd collected around
Col p, and his opponent, who proceeded
TO play the game on which was staked a
human life. Col. u. played to save the
accused. His opponent played, and quiie
as zealously, to secure the conviction
The hackers, five and five, stood behind
them, encouraging the champions, and
watching the gam, di.Dly seen by tbe
light Of the tallow candles, with the most
intense interest.
The game proceeded with very equal
fortune, till both parties stood at six and
six. 1t was Col p s deal he dealt and
TURNED JACK! The prisoner was ac-
Quilted, and every man of the jury raised
a shout which startled the whole village,
even the reyelers in the grocery" Next
morning the jury went into court, and
gave to the astonishment of many, the
verdict of ''not guilty. The juryman
who played an unsuccessful game for hu-
man life, still lives, amuch respected citi-
zen of this district. One Of the counsel
is very distinguished member of the
Memphis bar, and the accused has, we
believe, gone to higher court but neither
of them, nor any Of the assemblage, nor
the court, who marvelled at the verdict,
eighteen years ago, have ever Known that
a hnman life was saved by turning Jack
There are some curious episodes in the
history Of our early settlements but who
would think of venturing life upon turn
ing Jack ?-.Hemphis Eitgle.