Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1868-10-16
Gin Gnteresting gtury,
THE GAMBLERS FATE.
BY CAPTAIN HOWARD.

BY CAPTAIN HOWARD.
Years ago father and I took journey
down the Mississippi on one of those old
fashioned steamboats,. 1t was the Dora
Manton. In one of her apartments was
a table for gaming purposes. Here night
and day the passengers and boat hands
would be found watching eagerly the pro-
gress of the game.
Father was very averse to all games of
chance; but pleaded so earnestly to be
allowed to witness game, that he yield
ed, and together we approached the table.
Two men were seated at it. One was, to
all appearances, gentleman. He wore
black silk hat. coat and pants Of fine
cloth, and from pocket of his velvet vest
dangled massive gold chain, while on
his fingers we're several costly rings. A
large light silky moustache partially hid
a pair of sensual lips, and the hair brush
ed backwards revealed not too intelligent
forehead. The eyes were small and sin
lister, and in my mind l branded him as
an old libertine and gambler.
His opponent in the game sat opposite,
and was youth of perhaps four-and-twen-
ty. His face was beardless, and bis
dress and manners denoted him to be of
that class seldom found among blacklegs
"a gentleman. He dealt the cards with
ease and gracefulness. and not smile lit
up his face when the by-standers joked
him of his ill-luck.
He seemed to play as if his life was at
stake.
Meanwhile the game progressed, but
with one result always, the blackleg win
ming from his young opponent. Piles Of
gold lay upon the table, and one or two
pieces of naner. which I took to ha -nntes-
f-2s the gambler pushed a note to his pile,
the young man rose to his feet and gazed
calmly around.
"Won't you play longer ?"
"Play when I've nothing to loose 2"
returned the youth, 1--we lost all, sir /; I
began to play rich man, now am a
beggar.'
As he finished. fathers hand grasped
mine till almost screamed aloud.
'.Lost aU2" asked boatman. "
EYES," replied the youth, turning to
the questioner.
Il came here with ten thousand dollars,
but I have lost it. I even played away
my farm in Ohio, my house and lot in
Chicago, the deeds of them lie there" and
he pointed to the table. 80
But" spoke the gambler, ''you have
a dog in the cabin, Til allow you ffty on
him. Won't you stake him %
Eyes, I'll stake anything to regain my
property. I'll stake old Bruno, though
be nobly defended my murdered father y
''Then your father was murdered2"
Eyes. sir, five years ago. Bruno de-
Tended him, but the deed was done, and
the assassin escaped, but not before be
felt the noble animals teeth"
4 Come, be seated, sir. Fortune is
waiting to place the laurels upon your
brow" said the gambler; and as he spoke,
I thought his voice trembled.
| The cards we're again dealt, and Bruno
had new master. The young man arose,
threw the chair backwards, while the win.
ner coolly proceeded to transfer the gold
and deeds to his pockets.
''Now I am beggar! Even, old faith.
; full Bruno is not left to me-"
I pitied him SO that begged father te
purchase him from the gambler and re-
store him to his former young master. =
He stepped forward to acquiesce in m.
pleadings, when the young man, who hat
left the room unseen, returned, followed
by large, powerful, black Newfoundland
| dog. A murmur of applause went arount
the room as the dog entered, looking VI
, at his friend, who, with tears in his eyes
was caressing him.
IA noble fellow. by Jupiter p exclaim
ed the gambler.
"Goodbye, noble friend; we part a
last. There is your master: now go!'
and he pointed to the gambler, who ros'
and approached.
The dog looked at the approaching mar
moment, then, with one cry, half yel
and half growl, threw himself forward
caught him BY the throat. and hurled hin
to the floor.
Bruno, what means this Z" cried tn