Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-05-07

out very near together-the knave to the rlght
the queen to the left. I had won-the Hoosiel
had lost. The banker now took in my smaller
cheques and gave me in exchange some worth
twenty dollars each. My last stake had been foul
hundred and eighty dollars, and lHy present pile
was consequently nine hundred and sixty.
] snake it a thousand p whispered the Hooser
"Done," replied, and added two cheques tc
my accumulated venture. ~.s..--...
Again the banker began to throw off his cards
right and left The queen came up first to the
left-lost. Then the knave to the right-again
had won. The Hoosier drove his hand into his
bosom, and brought forth a pocket book, from
which he took a roll of bank notes. .',..s.
$50 yer q thousand p he said in hoarse whis
per, 'Pve got that mueh."' s.:4.. '5;.,-. #
My first impulse, before he had spoken, had beer
to do that very thing, butnow hesitated. What
had I to do with him? was not playing with
him-I was notbetting against him; my play was
simply against the banker, and his was the same
I told him as much. ...,-. ...s ..,...
"No, no." he said eagerly, SITS agin luck we n
playing. Them two keards is in for it. The
knave' your'n, and the queens mine. Go yei
two thousand"
All that I had upon the table before me, save
one solitary cheque of twenty dollars, I had won
so / had little real risk to run.
"It's done," said I; and down went two thous
and dollars upon the knave
The Hoosier placed his venture upon the queen;
partly in cheques and partly in bank notes, in al
two thousand dollars.
His hand quivered little as he pushed the pile
forward, and then he turned to watch the move
ments of the banker.
The cards began 10 move off once more, and this
time the table was surrounded by an eager crowd.
There was something novel in the spectacle Of two
men playing against each other at faro; and il
struck me as being excessively novel, too. But il
was no doing of NINE The Hoosier seemed te
have superstitious faith that our chances were
running together. However, I meant to make
this one venture further, and then break the spell
be it win or lose. Right and left-right and left
The queen came up 6rst-to the left-lost Right
and left-and the knave came up-to the right
had won again! I gathered up my gains, and
turned to look for the Hoosier but he had disap-
peared.
perhaps you'll try the knaye again, said the
banker.
I told him, "No, I had played enough"
pushed over my cheques, and he gave me the cash
for them, some gold and some bank notes, amount.
ing in all to about six thousand dollars. went to
the bar and took glass of wine, and then started
for my boat. The night was dark andI had along
way to walk =.
I looked at my watch as I came through the
hail. and found it to be half an hour past mid
night. Ibegan to think had been fool. So
started at brisk walk, intending to strike the e-
wee near the mint, and follow the course of the
river.
had gone half mile or so when heard
heavy footsteps behind me- Then knew had
been followed. I increased my speed, but the
footsteps came nearer I felt for my pistol, but
had not thought to bring it; I had nothing with
me but common dirk knife. By and by / turned
to see who it was that was thus pursuing me-
Ye gods! 1t was as had suspected. At the
distance of few yards, close upon me, came stri
ding through the darkness the tall gaunt form Of
the Hoosier.
would have started to run, but it was too late
He was upon me; his hand was upon my arm.
would have shouted for help, but feared that il
would be the signal for my instant destruction
The drawing of my dirk-knife would only, by it,
feeble show of opposition, call down the giant!
strength upon me to crush me in moment. The
only thing left for me was to be passive and wai
for the worst.
stranger" he said, in voice that sounded
fightfully low and hollow, ''you played agin me
tonight"
"No," I replied, trying to speak plainly tt
speak calmly was outof the question, II had moth
ing to do with you; Iplayed against the bank"
"It's all the same" said he "Our luck rur
together; twas you agin me, and me agin you
It don't make no odds now. I'm dead broke
Stranger, do you see this?"
He reached his right hand up over his shoulder
and, from beneath his coat, he drew forth the lar
gest, longest, brightest and most savage-lookinl
bowie-kuife had ever seen. My knees smote to
gether and my heart leaped to my throat.
you've got money" he went on, as he helc
the cleaning weapon in his hand. "You won it
won all. Ilost-lost all. I'm dead broke-not
pic. want enough to get home. l paid TWEEN
ty dollars in clear yellow gold for this yer tooth
PICK. UlVe Ue ulteeu uOiiafS ou IL, OIL So'
IF yer man ye won't refuse that
Mercy What letting down was that In
stead of seeking my life, the poor fellow had fol
lowed me for the purpose of pawning his bowie
knife He was acquainted with none of those
whom he had seen at the gambling house, and he
had no friends in the CITY, / feared him no more
] As spoke with him now, felt that he was {
warm and true hearted man.
eff you get fifteen dollars, you will 60 back tt
the gaming table," said.
| His answer was slow and sure.
give tried it twice, stranger on when try j
again l. Il let you know"
i told the man to come with me-
"Come to my boat" said, ''and you shall have
the money"
He said, perhaps I'd let him stay on board al
night
! Of course would.
As we walked along, made up my mind jus
what I would do, and when we reached the boat
took him into my state-room, and handed him
chair. Said 1:
"Nly friend, have made a resolution since "
have been walking together; I have resolved tina
: will gamble no more. While you and I played
at the same table you lost $3,000."
Exactly" he replied.
"Wen," I continued II am going to make W
what YOU lost. shall feel much better to do so.
The Hoosier started in amazement.
ST do it as much for my sake as for your own,