, 1869-07-09
NUMBER 80.
GAMllLERs-rn.EIR sUPERsrrrroNs.

there was black cat in the room Ex-
Governor B., from one OF the Western
States, an inveteyate gamester, would never
sit down to table 10 a room where there
was looking glass. Some gamblers refuse
to play if, on entering the room, the left foot
crosses the threshold first, and no persuasion
eau induce them to do so, until they leave
and return with the right foot foremost To
put your foot on the chair of a player is q
sure premonition of bad luck. Some men
will never play on Friday.
In lS49, | was a passenger on steamer
Star Spangled Banner, from New Orleans to
Louisville ! She was crowded with people
and an hour after leaving New Orleans, found
twenty card tables drawn out and three or
four score of passengers deeply absorbed in
the mystery of 'old sledge,' euehre and DO.
ker. All that night and the next day the
game went on. As fortune, however, soon
singled out and made victims of the poorer
aud less skilled players, so the number grad>
ually decreased until the fourth day out,
when only one table was running. Old Bob
Brasher, negro trader, young Ben Sanford,
horse trader, and two planters from La
FOurche, still kept on. Although they bad
played almost necessarily for four days and
nights, yet luck had favored neither party,
and they were within few dollars OF even.
The 'buckling' had been principally between
Brasher and Sanford, but heretofore they
had kept themselves within the 'gentIemaa's
limif-fve hundred dollars. After leaving
Memphis the game was renewed, and the
bystanders observed that big play was on
tapis,' as young Sanford was considerably
under the influence of liquor, aud when in
that condition he was known to be heavy
player. Late at night the two traders came
together; both had backing hands, and
Louisiana and Kentucky banknotes soon
almost covered the table. The margin Of
FIVE hundred dollars had been forgotten, and
one, two, three, five hundred better rapidly
passed between them. At last Brasher lean
ing back from the table, unbuttoned his vest,
and took from around his body belt filed
with gold pieces Laying it down upon the
bank notes he exclaimed, Three thousand
better Sanford became speechless; his
face turned deadly pale; he called for a
glass of liquor, which he drank, never once
taking his eyes from the belt of gold. He
had exhausted his means in the former bets
all his money lay upon the table. At last
thought struck him.
Yes, massa, and SanfOrd's body servant, .
fine athletic pure'bood, came to his side.
Get upon the table, sir
Not daring to disobey-as he knew well
in that moment of frenzy his young master
would send bullet through his brain, did
he refuse-the slave tremblingly stepped on
the table, crushing the bank notes beneath
his feet.
For the good Lords sake, massa Ben, dOn't
bet dis niger off What will the old missus
say when you 90 home? Oh massa Ben,
please don't grOaned the boy, but in vain.
Call you, sir shrieked SANFORD, Et the
same time laying down four queens aOd an
ace.
An iuvincible, sir, said Brasher, with =
sneer; four kings and an acel And, as
Brasher reached for his bag Of gold, young
Sanford fell to the floor, the blood gushing
from his mouth, nose and ears With one
spring the slave started from the table, dash.
ing through the thin folding doors of the
Social Hall, out on the boiler deck, and with,
half uttered prayer for the old missus, be
threw himself into the dark waters OF the
| Mississippi, aud was seen no more. Death
prevented Brasher from claiming his spoil.
Sanford for weeks fingered on sick bed,
but at last recovered, and forever reHounced
the gaming table. He made good, however
the money worth of the negro to the winner.
-
A PfraY SERMON TO YoUNG MEN.-You
are the architects Of your own fortune.
Rely upon your own strength of body and
soul. Take for your motto, self-reliance
honesty aud industry for your star, faith;
perseverance and pluck, and iuscribe on Jour
banner, " Be Just and fear not" Don't take
too much advise; keep at the helm and
steer YOUR own ship. Strike out. Think
well Of yourself. Fire above the mark you
intend to hit. Assume your position.
Don't practice excessive humility; you can't
get above your level-water don't run up
bill-put potatoes in cart over 9 rough
road and the SMALL Zones will go to the bottom.
Energy, invincible determination, with
right motive, are the levers that rule the
world. The great art Of commanding is to
take fair SHIRE of the work. Civility costs
nothing an i buys everything Don't drink ;
don't sroke; don't swear don't gamble J.;
don't steal don't deceive; don't tattle; be
polite; be generous be kind. Study nard
Fay hard. Be in earnest. Be self'rellAnt;
Read good books. Love your fellow men aS
your God; love your country and obey the
laws : love truth; love virtue. Always 90
What vour conscience tells you to be duty,
and leave the consequence with God
,.-->~~~-sOs--~~>~~~~0N-0-~
CHICAGO reporter who attended spring
onenino of fashionable millinery, ssys oft:
"A cabbage leaf trimmed with three red pept
Ders and dried cherry sells for SS5. 1t is
called Jockey has one great anVantage-
t eau be eaten as salad when the season chan.
ges. One composed of three sighs aud bit
: Of pink-cOlord fog wvs cOcsiderd cheap at
-, S55.
A MAN in Clinton, Iowa, telegraPhed to
e the Sheriff of Lee county, Ill: Arrest Charles
:. P.W clipping with my wife. owes
me SlOO. Hhe pays, let him 60.