The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-01-03
.u,s,,,,r..e.claime,s- Geerge,-.larpiug- tho

ers, T. man about lqFly years Oh, VINO JUST
then stepped forward. 1.-The young man
is right, aud | 50, bisfsiepd III the mat
tsr. Its ps clear, as day. aul tic affair
can soon b. ssttlsi."i, li'P.5-s !. no
This speaker had been Major in the
Texas reyoiutien. He led tho young
stranger :dewg.hs cabin .owprds bis, State
room, tsIiing thu gambler 10 have matters
arranged within fifteen minutes. When
they Srriy0d Ut the stats ruom, the Major
s.;j (: - 9s7rrvvas--s~-
"IIow is j! that person Of your age
understands so much rbou. cards a. to
beat thpsc gold gamblers Ella f..a
"Curiusity led ne to study them |; bat
I never play except for amusement. Most,
itrqs MI theItricks2l learned ufa fellow
touficr, who had spent great part Of bis
,ime at the gaming table. ! noticed that
these ;l.pnest conqipSmen BY d. been, swim
died, aud thought Il uvufl be an &C. of
charity to bea. gamblers With their own
Weapons, and recover Tie money for my
partaer IND bis friend. Every time /
noticed the gamblers sccre.c cards, ]
called for apotksr, rack, on, different color,
and watched 'thchltioSo Sloseiyt 10 give then,
a Glance 10 cheat 10 deal. They did not
suspect until near the 6uish Of our play.
Yon know the rest
"Pre,ty'good. r'But do tou think you
can face tina, fellows FIRE: He's m old
hand ut the business"
Z = !, "Bu.h Coward, Or 10 would NO.
have drawn . knife oamc. Yet, III It can
be avoidsd, i wonlj rather 20. meet him.
would not ike to have him meet lis
death. at .2ylhands.,nor would IL Ike to
sacrifice NY life Tor SO unworthy rur.
pose"
"ls'sroo sste to baek;sopl nov"
Cant i! be settled e
"No; ifyou refuse to meet him every
one will eatlIeu q eoHts,l,Yo
"Well, if it must be, suppose ii nlr;,;
bat | Eayc no weapons"
Never mind that, have a pair Of du-
cling pistols, aud SO il you have any ar.
rang enehts to make, be ibeut il, The time
| is short, ind tie afIair, should be- settled
before i, is noiscd about the boat. l'llsse
10 the other matters"
"s.ayS! make the distance short"
"Only tue breadth ef,tbs, boat w.
J saying the yeahg man &cht'to his
own room, but soon returned. aud seating
himself by tablcinthc cabin. commenced
writing. His face was palc-deadly pale
but there,:.as u ixedness of.ffaturcs
which at oaec told that bis MUD was made
up. A teas coused dosnhis check as be
wrotos but ,prpbssfs that. xasfdr those
far away, yet still to memory dear.
Strange thoughts fitted through bis
mind-so youne, -and sc! to stand on the
brink Of doa.h-.o make one fearful
plunge into that DARK, unknown river. and
to-be1carricd'iry i,sscurrent out into Nlhc
ocean Of eternity TO return home no more.
A lifetime passed in rc"isw in moment.
Yet the geuii eaid Go on-too latcr,
10 die or kill--either was siresdigl re.
acction, Yct. the proud -rassiona Of
youth would not suaniit-,o 7refcssionr il
luust bc done. aud tic sooner L is fver
the better. So reasoned passion, anil pas.
zion triamphed. When be had finished
Tbs writing ihelsavc tito lhs Aldjat re-
questiDg bin to follow the directions Which
he would end in note directed to him
self, in case he .hvuld fall. Also to gitc
his winnings to George to make up i5r The
loss ,ho lad sustained. ,,,s5. go.
'Tfcha,ey Sth, upon The upper acci
Of the boat. 1t was a calm, quiet night.
the moon shining forth in all its pale
splcndor. A. far as tic eye could reach,
nothing but frosts and water met til. gazcs
Tie boat had'jdst ro,.nded 10; fet The pnr-
pose Of uoodins, and when she vas again
underway, the young stranger, his sec
Eond, fahtltlFee otter pcrscns .anIiously
awaited Tie approach Of the gambler.
Scarcely word was passed--none feeling
sdisppscito listtmbthe silence thai rcighed.
Half au hour passed, and the gambler was
still missing. 1t was now suggested flat
some ono fhoulsLgcin search Of him. The
messenger soon returned and reported that
both lie gamblers. lad laf. tho boa. at the
woua.yard. 'Whenfth ;yGtast man heard
this, fcrvonl ":liauk God" escaped BIZ,
lips. and the party retired TO seek reposo
in sleep. ..