The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-04-04

friends called him, his huge form occu
pying three chairs, his long, sandy hal
brushed back from his broad forehead
He was also observing the variou:
groups, but more especially a knot o.
gamblers, who were conversing in low
smothered tones, and would occasional
ly exchange glances with his companion
Every one familiar with the charac,
ter Of the Southern planter is aware that
gaming is one Of the vices to which he
is most addicted, and ruling passion
with some Of them. They have frequent
| ly been known, after l.sing all their
money, to put up slave, and bet him
on poker hand
| Our two friends were not exceptions,
but were adopts in the art, and general
ly made the thing pay.
1t was about the hour of nine, when
a tall, well ll-dressed man went up to an
unoccupied table and sat down; taking
from his pocket new deck of cards,
and a handful of gold, he took the cards
in his hands and shutl1ad them up, then
took three of them and turned the faces
up, displaying the ace, jack and duce.
"Now, gentlemen" he began, "being
fond Of excitement, [ propose TO deal a
little game of tbree-card monte to those
| who feel disposed to bet"
Then taking the cards in his hands,
he began to move them about dpxt-rous-
ly, going over the following formula
"Now, gentlemen, who will bet fifty
dollars that he can lay his hand OH the
ace the ace, gentlemen; ;the ace" show
ing the faces Of them now and then.
With dexterous shuttle he spread them
out before him, and the uuinitiated
would swear that he could lay his hand
on the ace
Il will" said tall, green specimen;
laying down fifty dollars and turning up
the duce. CoolIy raking down the money,
the gambler went through the same ope-
ration, while grayback's eyes stuck out
with astonishment.
{" The deuce; the deuce, gentle1hd
" "uo III Uel OH tIe UuC6.
Il will" said heavy, pock-marked
individual, with green spectacles on,
laying down two hundred dollars, and
turning up the deuce.
You see, gentlemen, am as liable
to lose as to win," said the gambler, aud
went on dealing.
PaulY Yangdon stepped up to the table
and watched the progress of he game
for few nftAnents, then laying down a
hundred dollars, turned up the winning
card. Again and again did he win, till
he gambler arose with fierce scowl on
azth ,'s t'es' and mut'tsd through his shut
Curse you, I won astand such luck"
Paul calmly put ahay his money,
and commenced walkingA and fro along
he saloon, while the GAMBLER went
'mong his pals, cursing hisN luck.
Bad nights work." said DE.
"Cussed luck got the two]pndred
'ut before he broke you," said the one
With thsesyeen specs.
We m'rsss,ges even with him." said
ne monte dealer.
Poker, then" .sail4anaspecs. {
" That's our only sNo - the
'ther {
This conversation was overheard by1
who was sitting near by pre-
ending to read a newspaper, which he {
eld up before him. When he heard :;
he above plan completed, he got up and '
walked carelessly towards Paul. After
few minutes conversation with him,
hey sat down at table and commenced {
game of poker.
/ can't make them.out," said gam Il
Ter. L
"Planters, L take it,'' said the othef!ee
"They are not of the profession, said a
reen specs.
I" 1t don't make any difference who or
bat they are; they must disgorge,"
I'D the monte dealer. Y
After few minutes further conversa- Il
on among themselves. the monte dealer Il
I'd green specs were selected to victim II
g the strangers. Stepping up to them IL
70 odlu W dNI
s" l think that you will have to give 81
e nay revenge at this game" u
" With pleasure" said Paul. q
And the two gamblers sat down, and
e game proceeded with different luck It
the players The gamblers not hav- OF
6 won much of their money back, be- st
N to get impatient, their tricks would 10
It win.
1t was drawing towards midnight. W W
le planters We're some five or six hun III
ed dollars ahead. Green specs shut q
d the cards, and gave the other Pc ol
liar look. Middleton saw this, and OF
We them 2 peculiar cut. The cards o,
're dealt.and it was Paul's bet. -
" One hundred dollars" said Paul. Sc
I" l go fifty BETTER" said the monte er
aler. pl
" raise it five hundred said Mid. l..
ston. Ia. .uzsuuuuuuuEgI - |
" raise i more said sa p
x thousand more" said Paul. . tn
II raise that FIVE hundred more" a
ID the monte dealer. an
" throw up my hand" said Middle til
/. 5T lo'
" So do l." said green specs.
g What do you do it on" said Paul, tn
ling the gamblers last bet. 81
" Four kings" at
" Not good" .-.. cb
g Not good p M
" No." said Paul, throwing down four ia,
es. -,
" BY heavens you can't come that
me over me-" exclaimed the gambler, ry
arsely. es
" What game" asked Paul, sternly.
" I GU raised that hand; you never