Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-08-24
TALES AND SKETCHES.
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THE FATAL CARD.


THE fatal. CARD.
Some years ago the Mississippi River was
famous for its Floating palaces" as the large
steamers plying between New Orleans and
the ports above were called. Now the rail-
roads have driven nearly all the fine boats
off the river, and left the field to the freight
boats, whose accommodations for passengers
are by no means palatial. The former class
of steamers were in many respects delight
ful, but they never ceased to be objects OF
dread to timid people for If the racing,
which was on that steam reduced to a sys-
tenn, did not result in the loss of the boat,
there was sure to be one or more encounters
between the more lawlcss portion of the
travellers, in which pistol bullets would fly
rather too thick for the comfort of steady
going people. The cause of such disturb
ance was generally a quarrel over the gam
ing table. The regulation of the boats usu-
ally required that all such amusements
should be conducted in q saloon provided
for that purpose in the "Texas," ""ofiice ca
bin" situated on the hurricane deck, but the
sporting gentlemen were by no means care.
full to observe this rule, and the gaming was
most commonly carried Oh at the dining ta-
bile, in the main saloon of the steamer, to
the great annoyance OF two thirds of those
on the board.
Many professional gamblers used to make
these boats their home, travelling back and
forth with them, fleeing all who were fool
ish and verdant enough to fall into their
clutches. So well indeed, was the system
managed that the various members seemed
to have their different steamers marked out
for them by common consent, so that no
one would trcspass upon the domains of the
other. OF course these men were warm
friends of the officers o. the boat, vino were
either too sincere in their friendship to put
a stop to the practice, or too much afraid
of the gamblers to care to provoke quar-
rel with them, for in those days it was a
common affair for such men to resent any
fancied insult with pistol shot.
One of the most remarkable men of this
class, was named Daniel Stu-divant, a
Frenchman, the son of broken down scion
of nobility who had settled in New Orleans
before the transfer of Louisiana to United
States. Stnrdivant had been raised gen
tleman" by his aristocratic father, but on
coming of age, and finding his fortunes very
bad, hnd taken to cards as a means to better
them. His success in this field was so great
that he was induced to continue it, until at
the time of which write he was one ofthe
most notorious gamblers between st. Louis
and New Orleans. He was man of fine
personal appearance, and of great physical
strength. He was also noted for his person
al courage. AS II gambler he was most ex-
pert and successful. There were dark stories
of deeds which he had committed while un
der the influence 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 openly, for no
one cared to bring upon himself the anger
of such man. There were few who knew
him that really cared to play against him,
but they feared that refusal to do so might
involve them in quarrel with him, and
rarely declined his invitation.
About fifteen years ago, the time OF which
| write, he had attached himself to one Of
the magnificent steamers plying between
New Orleans and Vicksburg, and had
publicly announced his determination to
shoot any man who encroached upon his
scene of operations. OF course this left him
in undisputcd possession of the field, and
he reaped a golden harvest during the one
brief year he conducted his operations
there.
1t was my lot at that time to be compel
Orleans and Nicksburg, being heavily en-
gagged in cotton speculations. l preferred
the steamer of which Sturdiyant had taken
possession, in asmuch as it was not only the
most comfortable, but also swiltest, and
1t was known that carried large sums of
money, and was always apprehensive lest
Sturdivant should ask me to play. had
fully made up my mind to refuse him, and
if he attempted to draw me into quarrel,
to shoot him without mercy, as knew that
the only chance for my life lay in getting
the advantage of him. Strange to say, he
did not make any such proposition to me,
and gave him no chance to do so.
One night we had started out from Vicks-
burg, and were heading merrily down the
river, when Sturdivant came up to the group
which had gathered around the stove. He
had been drinking, and was smoking fine
cigar as he approached. All made way for
him. .r .Hrst ly-.
swell, gentlemen" he said in an unsteady
tone, "you seem to be terrible dull. Who
wants to play for twenty dollars ante I"
There was no reply. All present seemed
to place himself in his clutches.
"Umph - he exclaimed with an EXPIRES
sion of contempt, .'afraid to try your luck
with Dan. Sturdivant, ell Or may be you
want little coaxing Some of you must
play with me. can't stand such treatment.
Come, let's see who it shall be-"
He glanced around the crowd as if to Sc
lect his victim. For the first time noticed
the gaze of one of the group fixed steadily
upon him. lie was a stranger to me, and
was dressed in plain suit of bomespun,
and his face was partially concealed by a
broad brimmed sombrero which was drawn
over it, He was small but powerfully
made man, and in the decided expression OF
his we'll shaped hand, read an unusual
irmness and intensity of purpose. ,-,..
Are you Dan. Sturdiyant, the gambler 2?
he asked iu a calm tone, without rising.
Sturdivant flushed darkly, and give the
stranger dark glance. ~
"Some persons call me SO behind my
back" !" he said insolently, shut no one would
care TO apply that term to me before my
face"
"Neyertheless,p said the stranger quietly,
II want an answer--yes or no." a r.-f
swell, then, | am," said the gambler am
grily, "what of Il I"
"Simply this" replied the stranger, 81
/ I, "a Ia d ,tasr Ia Al,