The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-11-22

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practice, or too much afraid of the
gaIn oiers to care to provoke quarrel
with them, for in those days it was a
common affair for such men 10 resent
any tancied insult with pistol Shot.
One OF the most remarkable men
OF this class. was named Daniel Stir-
dlvant, a Frenchman, the son of bro.
ken-d9wn scion of nobility, who had
settltd in New Orleans before the
transfer Of Louisana TO. the United
States. Sturdiyant had been raised a
gentleman" by his aristoeratie faith
er, but on becoming of age, and find
ing his fortune9 very bad had taken
to cards as q means to better them.
His success in this field was SO great
tnat he was-induceq to continhe it, IN.
I'll at the time Of which / write he was
one Of the most notorious gamblers
between St, Louis aud New Orleans.
He was aman Of fine personal ap-
pearance, and of great phyaioal
strength. He was also noted for his
personal courage. As q gambler he
was most expert and successful, There
were dark stories of deeds which he
had committed while under the inilu-
ence of play and liquor, and it was
said by some that he had killed half
a dozen men in his lifetime. Yet no
one dared to speak these stories open
ly, for no one dared to bring upon
himself the anger of such a man.
There were few who knew him that
really dared to play against him, but
they feared u refusal to do so might
involve them in quarrel with him, and
really decline his invitation. 'a.
About fifteen years ago, the time of
which write, he had attached him
self to one of the magnificent steam
ers plying between New Orleans and
Vlcksburg, and has publicly anhounc.
ed his determination to shoot any man
who encrouched upon his scene Of
operations. Of course this left him
undisputed possession of the field, and
he reaped u golden harvest during the
ono brief year he conducted his oper-
ations there -- r-- .,a... a....-
1t was my lot at the time to be com.
pelled to make frequent trips between
New Orleans ana Vicksburg, being
heavily engaged in cotton speculations.
| preferred the steamer of which Stur-
divant had taEefi p sssssion, iIiaSnGch
as it was not ouly tpe most comfort
able, but also the swiflest, and time
was of the utmost Importance to me
" wRs. known that carried large
sums Of money, and | was also appre-
hensive lest Sturdivant should ask
he to play, ......,..s
| had fully made up my rhihd to re-
fuse him, and ii he attempted to draw
me into aquarrel to shoot him with
out mercy, as | knew that the only
chance of my life lay in getting, the
advantage OF him. Strange to say, he |
did not make any such proposition to
me, and l gave him no chance to do
so.
One night. we had started out from
Yicksburg, and were heading merrily |
d6%h the river when Stnrdi9ant eame !
up to the group which had gathered
around the stove. He had been drink
ing and was smoking fine segar al
he approached. All made way tor him
Well, gentleman" he said, in an
tone, "you seem to bc terri
bly, dull Who wants to play for
twenty dollars ante p E s.pE r.s
There was no reply. All present
seemed to know the MIN, and no one
jared to volunteer to place himself in
lis cluttne6. ..s....
"Umph % he exclaimed, with an
expression Of conteWpr, "afraid to
ry yosr luck with Dan Stufdivsnt,
,h2 Or may be you want little
,oaxing Some of you must play
With me. / can't stand such treat
nent. Come, let's see who shall it
,e2 ''
lie glanced around the crowd as if
o select his victim. For the first time
noticed the gaze of one ofthe group |
liked steadily upon him. He was a
Stranger to me, and was dressed in a
)lain suit of homespun, and bis face
vas partially concealed by broad
,rimmed som5bfaro, which was drawn
lOwn over il, He was small, but
powerful made man, and in the decid-
ID expression of his well shaped head
read an unusual firmntss and iEten-
,ity of purposes, 81. 80
& Are you Daniel Sturdivaut, the
gambler 2" he asked in calm tone,
without rising -..r .t.r t..rae
Sturdivant flushed darllly, and gave
he STRANGER dark glance. ,
Some p rsons call me so, behind
ny back" be said insoleutly, " but no
lne would care 10 apply that term TO
nc before my faee.p. f
Nevertheless" said tho stranger,
quietly, 81 want an answor-yes or
no p ,.. s.a5
!" Well, then I am said the gam
bier. angrily "what Of itF' '''u
I" Simply this" replied the stranger, !
/, l have heard il said that you claim /
to he the hest card plpye. ias the
Sopthwes / have come two hundred /