The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1871-02-22


occasionally tell good story. have a
little history upon my tongues end that will
interest you, sr.''
1t was long past midnight. Absorbed in
| the excitement Of the game, We had scarce
ly noticed the flight of time, or that the ad :
joining rooms were now nearly deserted BY
| their occupants. and tha. the other two
players at the other end of til. apartme Mt in
which we were, had finished their game and
been spectators of that between Thorn and
his opponent. and were now apparently in
teresttd listeners.
About three years since" began Thorn.
"a young man in kentucky, a confidential
agent OF large business firm, was entrusted
with large sum of money, and commits
| stoned to iran>act some business in New Or
| leans; i; was his first visit to the city; he
started happily. leaving behind him young
wife and infant. Unfortunately. upon one
| of the Mississippi boats. or Immediately up
on his arrival in New Orleans. ha fell in with
a professional man-man of play, I mean.
by the management of this professional, the
young man was enticed to a hell induced
10 play. piled with wine, stripped of his
money-in short. to use n professional word
.Pldcked.' The young man was perfectly
sobered b, his loss; he returned to the hu-
tel. stung with remorse. and half crazy
with excitement, he placed the pistol to his
head aud blew his brains out, leaving a tar
Is!ed name as an inheritance for his wife
and innocent child.'' f.....s
But That is'all this to me p said the
gainbler. now pale as ashes beneath the
flashing eye of the speaker. sIs it a moral
lesson you are about to read here. or a SER
mon you have to preach -
What is it to you!" said Thorn. his
voice quvering with excitement. ..Ah! IN
tel! you what it is to you. This meeting IF
youand me tonight, which for three long
years have sought. is not mere chance
The amount Of money he lost was just the
amount this night won from you-that ye1y
ring upon your finger is his! I am bis ef3iiSS. him.
clear voice, and as he CONCLUDED aRbroueht bis
hand down with blow upon tle table at
which they were sitting. Whico was Instant.
ly overturned as he and his opl(bnens started
simultaneously to their feet. They were
scarcely six PAGES apart and boil, drew their
weapons as they rose. =
die, liar !" shouted the Gambler. dis
charging his weapon the momeit be gained
his feet. The bullet ripped oben Tkoru.s
waistcoat, and his watch few Is fragments
rom his pocket. dangling bys.is chain; at
the same moment the pistol b held exploded
and DE gambler fell back ccrpse ur on the
carpet: Ihi. all passed so suadpnly. ere We
eouid r'.'>fere. that We stood rs # para
iyzed tor a''ustant-the servats and the
police. alarmelby the noise. care rnxh;"a
int" the alarims.. I."'''
Thorn quietly s,>rendered h;...,f mar.
ly turning to US andy y other to who were
) in the room. saying. asse did 50 .@$eo,le.
men, bear witness that srrd in 4lf defence
5 and he pnin.ed to his shat...5 l.,.h "a
5 turning, left the room vitLlLe Ecers H. Hs
t was tried and acquitted. auG -. oI..-t.
e proved tha; his adversary AZ anon hin
: first. Tie fact that the e[Assp, e[Asp" ,v." "'n
notorious rascal, whom the emEs,;,, ..,,,S
e we'll afford to spare, might bveC.d so,ns
: influence with the jury.
t never have met Thorn
. collection Of that fearful sceA. ~, c S.a.,, ~
n and vivid in my mind. ihoue .:,v 49, no.S" I've"
have passed since it was cniteS'' 'F''e