The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1871-12-14
Thrilling California Incident in ls4e.

with customary propriety had Dubbed him
thus; because he was slim. On the same
principle, his awkwardness soon gave him
notoriety. Mr. this only, like One eyed
Tom, Spindle had made one Of the hap
piest hits oftl,a d4y. Young passionate,
elate,l beyond degree with the splendor Of
biz prospects. il was no surprise that ne
should court the favor Of the pa'e-faced
gamblers. who we're the ars'ocrais Of the
camp. II was 10 wonder that they should
discover his wcakness mud determine to
''salt'' him. Ph7? No, no; Spindle did
not play; he only came 10 to watch the
game; it was tiresome sitting there IN the
tent alone. "'Iry it, double your stake
on ''threes," trlplci. on a ''lull." said q
pleasant faced fellow, who was jnstraking
II -
ina hundred slugs or more. Spindle was
inclined to listen.
"Tell you what you d." said the gamb-
Ter, continuing; "go me halves an hour,
and see how you come OUT Spindle did
80. At the end Of thehour he had won q
"stake" Of several thousand dollars, Spin.
die was fascinated. | will double this to-
morrow night" said Spindle mentally, rs
he left the gambler'stens. He doubled it.
"This must be tripled,' said Spindle, as
be soughtthe tent two nights af'erward.
1t was triplcd. Spindle means to break
I Or be broken said the bystaulers, ono
night, about week after the original VEN
ture. "i4Ook at the dust he is betting"
He is, indeed, betting heavily. The rat
tlcsnake has charmed him. Bet after
d. d + IN .
bet, till the winnings Of the week have
left him; betaiter bettill the earnings are
also gone till the last slug" is up and
be has but simple sight for ii.
Woe him, for be wins. The tide is
flooding sgaiu, and Spindle is even.
"Safe, safe, be remarks, betting hundred
"slugs'' as q blind" on the strength Ofhis
confidence. One by one tho cards 60
round to the players. Spindle does not
look at bis, but gathers them under bis
hand on the table. II see your, blind"
and 60 you a hundred better" 1t was
Eagle nose, who spoke" Eagle nose,
the lucky" Spindle looks at bis cards.
He has first class hand -four queensland
. king; four aces only will beat him.
Eagle nose can have but three Of these,
for be saw one Of them on the bottom Of
the pack as the gambler laid tho cards on
the table; the gambler meant that be should
zee it. II SEQ your bet, and raise you
hundred better" responded Spindle.
"Eaglenose" is uncertain. lie looks visit
fully at the gold, furtive]y at his autagou-
list, and very cheerfully at the cards in his
hand. "He waits. be weakens,' says
Spindle to himself. II thought be was
blufhng."
Spindle does not see the smile on the
face Of the bystauder back ofthe gambler,
or be would think differently. Rising
from the rough stool on which be sits,
Eeagle nose steps back in the tent and
opens strong wooden chest. Two bags
Of dust are taken from it, and the gambler
staggers uuderthe heavy load, ASH brings
it toward the table. Spindle sees So
900 mark on each Of them. bet you
them "ere things" says Eeugle uose, as
be lays the two bags with the other gold,
It snow Spiudle's turn to hesitate. Can
itbe that be has the other ace? No, he
will not think it; but what shall be do?
be has not money enough on hand to ''call'
him. He does not wish to do this; it
would be cowardly. "Ha," says Spindle,
II have it now; will bet my claim ant a
few thousand have left against his pile,
fit only be large enough" This to him
self. Then to Eagle nose. "What's your
pile?"
"There are Eve more bags in the chest"
said the gambler, quietly what do you
dol" Bet my claim against your pile
said Spindle, iuteuseley excited. The bet
was taken. Spindle threw his cards on the
table, with half paralyzed motion, and
face whittier than tho tent above him-four
queens and q king. Eagle nose dled his
of, one by one--three aces, king. aud an
ace. Not a!word was said by either; Spindle