Middletown transcript., 1869-02-06
Popular GALES.
RETRIBUTION.

1t was the Spring of IS, that found
myself gliding upon the waters of the
mighty Mississippi, and bound for New
Orleans.
With a single exception, I had formed
no travelling acquaintance on board the
boat, although | had been nearly two days
upon my journey, which was becoming
somewhat monotonous. The individual
with whom /, singularly enough, fratcr-
niscd, seemed. like myself, to have but lit
tic inclination to extend his acquaintance
among the passengers, though he seemed
to be constantly upon the lookout for some
ono, and from the close manner in which
he regarded the operations of two or
three of those individuals whose profusc
display of vest chains and jcwelry, and
proficiency with cards at the tables in the
saloon, betrayed their profession, more
than once set him down as some sort of
police detective, in disguise.
lie called himself George Thorn, of
Kentucky; so his card read, which he
gave me in exchange for mine. In truth,
he was noble specimen of the Corncrack-
er State. Full six feet in height, clear,
intelligent blue eye, broad forehead, and
light curly hair, muscular arm, and the
chest of Hercules, he challenged the adj
miration of more than one of the passen-
gers, as, with his serious and never smil-
ing face, he paced the promenade deck, or
sat apparently buried in thought in the sa-
loon.
L" Do you never play at cards p said |
to him, as he left group that were stand
ing about table of four players, and not
ing the progress of the game. l had frc-
qucntly seen him invited, but he invaria-
bly,, like myself, refused to participate in
the game.
"Oh, yes" said he, "but where is the
use of playing here; these fellows (nod-
ding toward the players) can tell every
card in the pack by the backs, and they
are trying hard to pluck some poor pigeon
from among the passengers, but as yet
with Indifferent success; beware of them,
sir"
l thanked him for his friendly warning,
and at the same time expressed my aston
ishmcnt at his affirmation. To convince
me of the truth of it, he called the stew
| ard of the boat, and ordered him to bring
him fresh pack of cards, which were
brought, and he handed the pack to me,
bidding me shuttle them. did so, when
he Immediately selected nearly every acc
and king in the pack, without looking at
them. Next, he dealt them in two par
cells, one to me and one to himself, when
upon examination, [ found that all the
cards of real value were in his hand, al
though | could not detect the least unfair
ness as he dealt them.
"You scc," said he, smilingly, at my
look of astonishmcnt, ''thc advantage an
expert in these matters has over even a
skillful player"
II do, indeed" replied I, astonished at
my fellow travellers dexterity, and begin
ming to think he might be reformed gam
bier, or one playing possum' for some
purpose or other; but, as he did not urge
or even invite me to play, nor had played
with any one else, and threw the cards
aside with an expression of disgust too ma
tural to be assumed, | came to the conclu-
sion that my suspicious were unjust, and
my travelling acquaintance was a riddle
yet to be solved.
Early the next morning the boat arrived
at New Orleans, and amid the hurry and
hustle of debarkation lost my friend, the
Kontuckian, not even seeing him to bid
adieu. The same evening, however, after
visiting the theatre, l was enjoying the
cool air and fragrant Havana in the ro-
tunda of the St. Charles Hotel, and con-
versing with friend from the North whom
had Fortunately met, when who should l
encounter but my steamboat acquaintance.
After the usual greetings, our convcr-
sation turned upon our trip down the riv-
or, our fellow passengers, etc when my
fellow traveller remarked that, if | would
like to visit .the interior of gambling
house, or "hell," as it is sometimes more
appropriately called, he would be pleased
! to show it to us as one of the sights or eli