Middletown transcript., 1869-02-06

ouiSciNcS "ithiH inc precincts OF one OF
those glittering and gorgeously- furnished
misunderstanding to the Internal
reglons-whcro men are engaged in vari-
GUS games of hazard.
The interior of gaming house has been
too frequently described to need repetition.
The faro bank, with its crowd of visitors
the rouge ct nor table, with its anxious
circle, and groups of players at other
games, of which was ignorant of the
name, were all busily engaged as VIC en-
tered. We had passed through two apart
mcnts and reached a third, in which were
but four players, playing in pairs at differ
ent tables. As We entered, we sat down
at an unoccupied table for moment,
when, as we did so, we heard one of the
twom men nearest to us say to his opponent:
"That's the last dollar; luck is yours,
and I'm cleaned out"
"But you wear gold ring" said his
opponent. "See! will give you chance
for revenge. I'll back my ring against
yours on the next game. It's ring l won
at play from Kentucky boy that came to
New Orleans to sec the sights" said he,
carelcssly.
How little did he know those words, so
lightly spoken, had sealed his doom.
"No" said his opponent, rising, "Tn
meet you Tomorrow night won't pledge
my jcwelry yet"
As the player, who was sitting with
back partially towards us, mentioned Ken
lucky in his conversation, saw Thorn lis
ten with cagerncss, and, as he twisted the
ring he offered to bet upon his finger, /
saw the Kcntuckian turn deadly pale. Ills
eyes glowcd like fire for an instant, then
his countcnancc again assumed its usual
calm and placid look, and, to our amaze
mcnt, he rose and walking across the apart
mcnt to the player, who had just been left
by his companion, courtcously proposed to
try hand or two with him, if agreeable,
and if We, his friends, would excuse him
for short time. Of course We asscntcd-
and so did the gambler. who appeared at
first somewhat surprised at the proposition,
but probably resolved to try his skill upon
the new conner.
The cards were dealt and the game pro-
ceeded. We were sufficiently near to sec
that the piece of gold which constituted
the first stake was won by our friends OPP
ponent; so also was the second. The
third stake Thorn gained. And thus they
went on, alternately winning and losing,
till at last Thorn carclessly observed:
THAT is pretty ring you offered to bet
a while ago, stranger; will you sell it 7"
'Wcll as to that" said the other, "it's
pretty enough and cost me enough, for Il
young fellow pledged it to me some three
years ago, as a sort of note of hand, which
he promised to redeem with five hundred
dollars that he owed mc-a debt of honor,
sir-but he never paid it, so retain the
ring. No, stranger guess l won't sell
it."
"But the owner; You should have made
him pay; five hundred dollars is dear
price for such bauble."
"Why, as to that" said the player, as
he gathered up the cards for the next hand,
che couldn't come to time very well, for
he paid the "dcbt of nature," as they say,
the same night, and that cancelled my OBJ
legation. All the stakes mine; there's
always luck in this ring, sir, | believe"
said he, as he drew the money toward him,
SuppoSS We Wy ~ i"i SSl sbdhS, anu llc
prepared to shuttle the cards again.
"As you like" said Thorn.
"Well, what shall it be?" said his op-
poncnt, "anything from one to five hun
dred p and he threw bank note of that
denomination carelessly as if in bravado,
upon the table.
To our surprise, Thorn drew wallet
from his pocket, and produced an equal
amount of money, then, sweeping the cards
they had been using from the table to the
floor, he called for a fresh pack, and pass
ing them, as the attendant brought them
to him, rapidly through his hand, he gave
them to his adversary, rcmarking to him
as he did SO to ''mind his deal this time"
fixing upon him a searching glance as he
went through that operation. The game
was known as "bluff" or ''poker," don't
know which, but, at any rate, one on which
the players bet upon the cards they hold.
Thorn and his opponent having each
glanced at their cards, commenced the
game.
"I'll 60 you one hundred ~ said Thorn,
commencing.
1.-TWO hundred better than that !" said
his opponent.
"Anothcr hundred " continued Thorn.
Hmm! Three hundred betterr' said
the gambler, producing the notes from his
pocket book.
"Threc hundred more!" said Thorn,
quietly.
The game was getting exciting to us as
spectators; three thousand dollars lay upon
the table, to be decided by the cards held
by the players, each of whom seemed, from
his bets, to be confident of success, though
their countenances betrayed not the least
emotion.
"Onc hundred more," said the gambler
again.
II call you," said Thorn.
"Ahi Three Kings and an Ace I" said
the sharper. triumphantly.
"THREE ACES AND KING ~ said Thorn
quietly, as he displayed his own cards,