The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-10-28
Mistetlanu.
THE LOADED DICE.
a Fearful Night on the Ohio.
A Remfniscence Of Nearly Half
Century Ago.


leans, first made the acquaintance of MI
the above named city, Cincinnati, wher
be had gone to settle up some account
of long standing. He was now on hi
way home, carrying with him larg,
amount of money which he had collected
for the firm of which he was a junior
member.
The season had been remarkably dry
and in consequence the river was lower
than could be recollee;ed by the Oldest
settler; but as the autumnal season adj
vanced, when the semi annual rise OF
water might be confidently expected,
many travellers arrived at Louisville to
take advantage of The earliest boats for
the lower country.
After many disappointments the river
began to swell in good earnest, and all
hurried on board of their respective
steamers TO secure their passage home
Mr.. Harris and l, after having select
ed our state room and seen to the safety
of our baggage. had leisure to look
around US and make the acquaintance of
our fellow travellers. We found, to our
intense disgust, IL had been our misfor-
tune to take passage with as large and as
accomplished set of gamblers as ever
disgraced decent society. They were
bound down the river on professional
tour" through the Southern States.
As soon as we were we'll under way the
implements of their nefarious trade were
brought forth. Faro, rouge ct noir, and
various other games were exhibited to
tempt the unwary to risk their money.
At first many of the gentlemen on board
objected to having the cabin turned into
a gambling hell; but the professionals
loudly protested that they played only on
the square, and furthermore declared that
should one of their number be detected
in cheating, the stakes shall be forfeited,
and be put on shore at the nearest land
ing. After this no more was said, and
the numerous games went on without in
terruption.
For some time Harris, who was known
to have a large amount of money in his
possession, aud who was an object of the
gamblers especial regard, firmly declined
all invitations to "try his luck. But
one evening, after the supper table had
been cleared, he, weary of their impor-
tunity, or yielding, as he afterward told
me, to a natural love for the excitement
of play, consented to make one of
party of four who were about to sit down
to a game of cards for small stakes, just
TO pass away the time.
For a while my interest in the fortu
mes of Harris induced me to remain at
his side aud watch the chances of the
game; but as the sums staked were small, +
and as the parties seemed evenly match /
ed in point OF skill, | soon tired of such /
employment, and retired to |
q distant part of the cabin to amuse my
self with a book-in the contents of
which | almost Immediately became alb
sorbed. l read on for some time, proba-
bly, an hour and half; but while paus
ing to cut the leaves (the book was a new
one,) l became conscious that an 10
usual stiffness pervaded the room. There
was no longer TO be heard the rattle of
dice, the sharp click of the ivory faro |
check" or the subdued murmGr of the |
players. Raising my eyes to see what
could be the cause of the subdued still /
ness, | saw that all the blanks" had been l
deserted, and the players were standing /
motionless around the table at which /
had left Harris and his companions en-.
gagged at euchre.
Wondering what would induce men
who were accustomed to risk the largest
stakes on the turn of a card to take such
an interest in so small a game, [ threw
down my book, and, approaching the
party, soon made my way to the table
| saw at once that a great change had
L -. Iol kan, l., 1
The stakes were largely increased, and
two of the party, either unable or too
timid to risk such large amounts, had
withdrawn from the table. Harris aud
Dne of the gamblers, however, still re-
tanned their seats, and with eager faces
aud shaking hands, shuffled the ca.ds
Fortune seemed to have favored Harris,
for Just as l reached the spot he marked
the last point in closely contested game,
while the professional, with a fierce oath,
dashed down the cards and challenged
him to give him his revenge with dice,
to which proposition, after a moments
hesitation, Harris assented.
The dice and cups were produced, and
the excited gamsters again bet their
but DO longer with the same re-
good luck seemed to have
deserted him, and his antagonist won
stake after stake. Harris seemed now
wild with excitement. He doubled eve
~ time, until at last no less than ten
thousand dollars lay upon the table, to
be won or lost at a single throw of the
lice. Again the gambler was successful.
Harris now sprang from his chair, and
Ealing on his antagonist to remain where
be was, repaired to his state-room, and
in few minutes, he dashed
Town upon the table large roll of bank
notes, saying at the same time to the
gamble
You have already won from me over
fifteen thousand dollars. The bank bills
.epresent double that amount; dare you
-isk like sum, and let the ownership of
he whole be decided by single cast.
The gambler at once expressed his
to do so, but declared be had
rot so much money in his possession.
The deficiency was, however, made up
By Others Of the fraternity, and they
prepared to resume the game. There
was large carving fork lying near Har-
rs. which the waiter had neglected TO
remove when be bad cleared the table
hat evening. This Harris. with care
less aud apparently Gas he took his scat)
4 .eideDtal movement of his arm, drew
close to his side.
All now drew near in eager expecta-
ion. Harris seized the cup, and shak
ng the dice violently for moment,
Iashed them before him. / could scarce
y suppress a cry of exultation when |
aw he had thrown double ives, within
me of the highest number that it is
,ossi5le to make.
The professionals cast uneasy glances
Ipon each other, but Harris antagonist {
nlv smiled scornfullv. and threw the ,