The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-12-12
California Incident in Is4s,


dubbed him thus, because he was so
slim. On the same principle, his
awkwardness soon gave him notoriety.
Nor this only; like One-eyed Tom,
Spindles had made one of che happiest
hits of the day. Young, passionate,
elated beyond degree with the splendor
Of his prospects, it was no surprise
that he should court the favor of the
pale-faced gamblers, who were the
aristocrats Of the camp. 1t was no
wonder that they should discover his
weakness aud determine to ''salt" him.
Play ? No, no Spindle did not play {;
he only came in to watch the game it
was tiresome, sitting there in the tent,
alone. "rrv it; double your stake on
a full" said a pleasant-faced fellow,
who was just raking in hundred slugs
or more. Spindle was inclined to listen.
'fell you what you do" said the gam.
Bier counting; "go me halves for an
hour, and see how you come out"
Spindle did so. At the end of the
hour he had won stake" of several
thousand dollars. Spindle was fasci
mated. II will double this tomorrow
night" said he mentally, as he left the
gamblers tent. lie doubled it. "Ths
must be tripled," said Spindle, as he
sought the tent again, two nights after.
ward. 1t was tripied. Spindle means
to break, or be broken" sail the by
staDders, one night, about week after
his original venture Look at the
dust he is betting" He is. indeed,
betting heavily. The rattlesnake has
charmed him. Bet after bet, till the
winnings of the week have left him,
bet after bet, till its earnings are also
gone-till the last Slug" is up, he has
but simple "sight" for it. Woe to
him, for he wins The tide is flooding
again, and Spindle is even. "Safe.
safe" he remarks, betting hundred
"slugs" as a ''blind, "on the strength
of his confidence. One by one the
cards go round to the players. Spiudle
does not look at his, but gathers them
under his hand on the table. 81 see
your blind and go you a hundred
better" 1t was "Eagle-nose" who
spoke-"Eagle nose, the lucky" Spin
die looks at his cards He has first.
class hand-tour queens and king
four aces only will beat him. Eagle.
nose can have but three of these, for
he saw one of them on the bottom of
the pack, as the gambler laid the cards
on the table; the gambler meant thaG
he should see it. 81 see your bet, aud
raise you hundred better" respond
ed Spindle. Eagle-nose is uncertain.
He looks wistfully at the gold, furiiivc-
ly at his antagonist, ard very careful
ly at the cards in his hand. "He waits,
he weakens," says Spindle to himself
81 thought he was 'bluffing.'" Spindle
i, does not see the smile on the face of
the byatanaer back of the gambler, or
he would think differently. Rising
from the rough st2ol on which he sits,
Eagle nose steps back in the tent, and
opens a strong wooden chest. Two
bags of dust are taken frCm it, aud
the gambler staggers under the heavy
load, as he brings it toward the table.
| Spindle sees $4,000 mark on each
of them. "Bet you them ere things,
says Eagle-nose, as he lays the two
bags with the other gold. 1t is now
Spinde's turn to hesitate. Can it be
that he has the other ace? No, he will
not think 1T; but what shall he do ?
He has not money enough on hand to
"call" him. He does not wish to do
this; il would be cowardly. "Ha p
says Spindle, 81 have it now; will bet
my claim and the few thousand | have
left, against his pile, if it only be large
enough" This To himself. Then to
Eagle-nose, "What's your pile?'
There are five more bags in the chest,
said the gambler, quietly; "what dc
you do p "Bet my claim against your
pile." said Spindle, intensely excited
The bet was taken. Spindle threw hi:
cards the table, with a half paralyzed
motion, asd a face whittier than the
tent above him-four queens and a
king. Eagle-nose FLED his off, one by
one-three aces king,and an ace. Not
a word was said by either; Spindle
conId not have spoken, and Eagle
nose had no reason for SO doing. A
few minutes afterward, the ruined mi
ner staggered blindlv to the door o.
the tent, passed out into the moonlight
and the game went on as ever.
Half an hour later, Spindle sat in
his tent alone. Before him was tbs
picture of a fair, sweet face, that haC
won his love but few years back
Nobody sees him weep, while he watches
tne play of light in its eloquent eyes
You could step in, and step heavily
too, without startling him. He is los
in reproachful thought, leading down
to dispair. All that he had hoped t.
do has vanished. Last night rich il
gold; tonight, bankrupt. Why should
he live? He can hear the roar of :h'
Yuba, as it tumbles over the cliff only
a mile above him. He steps out int
the open air; the cataract glimers il
the distance, and the sound of its waters
soothes and fascinates him. Nobody
will miss him why should he hesitate
He moves toward it with eagel
bound and determined purpose. UE