Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-20
THE LOADED DICE.
A Fearful Night on the Ohio.
A "Reminiscences Of Nearly Half Cen.
fury Ago.

1t was in the fall of 1880 that the writer
Of this sketch, while detained at Louisville
| awaiting the rise of the Ohio river to begin
his journey to New Orleans, first made the
acquaintance of Mr.. Harris, a wealthy
young merchant of the above named city,
who had been spending the summer in
Cincinnati, where he had gone to settle up
some accounts of long standing. He was
now on his way home, carrying with him a
large amount of money which he had col
lected for the firm of which he was a junior
member.
The season had been remarkably dry, and
In consequence the river was lower thar
could be recollected by the oldest settler
but as the autumnal season advanced, wheI
! the semi-annual rise of water might be con-
! fidently 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 Oftheir respective steamers
to secure their passage home.
Mr.. Harris and /, after having selected
our state-rOom and seen to the safety of our
baggage. had leisure to look around us and
make the acquaintance of our fellow travel
lers. We found, to our intense disgust, it
had been our misfortune to take passage
with as large and as accomplished set of
gamblers as ever disgraced decent society.
They were bound down the river on a
professional tour" through the Southern
States.
As soon as we were well under weigh the
implements of their nefariOus trade were
brought forth. Faro, rouge ct noir, and va
rious 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 gambling
he'll; 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 he put on shore
at the nearest landing. After this no more
was said, and the numerous games went on
without interruption.
For some time Harris, who was known
to have large amount Of money in his
possession, and who was an object of the
gamblers especial regard, firmly declined
all invitations TO ''try his mck." But one
evening, after the supper table had been
cleared, he, weary of their importantly, or
natural love for the excitement of play, con-
sented to make one of a party of four who
were about to sit down to game of cards
for small stakes, just to pass away the time
For while my interest in the fortunes
of Harris induced me to remain at his side
and watch the chances of the game; but as
the sums staked were small, and as the
parties seemed evenly matched in point of
skill, soon tired of such uninteresting en-
ployment, and retired to a distant part of
the cabin to amuse myself with boOk-in
the contents of which almost immediate
ly became absorbed. l read on
for some time, probably an hour
and a half; but while pausing to cut the
leaves (the book was new one), / became
conscious that an unusual stiffness peryaded
the room. There was nolonger to be heard
the rattle of dice, the sharp click of the ivory
''faro check" or the subdued murmur of
the players. Raising my eyes to see what
could be the cause of the sabdued stiffness,
saw that all the abanks" had been desert
cd and the players were standing motion
less around the table at which l had left
Harris and his companions engaged at
euchre.
Wondering what would induce men who
were accustomed to risk the largest stakes
on the turn of card to take such an inter-
est in SO small a game, threw down my
book, and, approaching the party soon made
nv way to the table. / saw at once that a
great change had taken place since l had
been lOoker-on. 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 and one of the gam
hlers, however, still retained their seats, and
with eager faces and shaking hands, shuffied
the cards. 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 fierce
oath. dashed down the cards and challenged
him to give him his revenge with dice, to
which proposition, after a moments hesita-
ton, Harris assented.
The dice and cups were produced, and |
The excited eamesters again bet their money, |
but no longer with the same result-HarTis' |
good luck seemed to have deserted him,and !
MS antagonist won stake after stake. Hal |
is seemed now wild with excitement. He |
doubled every time, until at last no less than
EN- thousand dollars lay upon the table, to |
De won or lost at a single throw of the dice. |
Again the gambler was successful. Harris !
now sprang from his chair, and calling on /
MS antagonist to remain where be was, re-
paired to his state-room, and returning in a |
w minutes, he dashed down upon the Ia
BE a large roll of bank notes, saying at the !
anne time to the gambler:
RYou have already won from me oveTkfif-
+e thousand dollars. The bank bills re.
,resent double that amount; dare you risk |
like sum, and let the ownership Of the
Whole be decided by single cast.
The gambler at once expressed his will