The Van Buren press., 1872-01-09
MISCELLANY.
The Loaded Dice.

1t was IN the fall Of 1880 that the writ
er Of this sketch, while detained at Lou.
isville, awaiting the rise in the Ohio riv-
er, to begin his journey to New Orleans,
| first made the acquaintance Of Mr. Harris,
a wealthy young merchant Of the above
named city, had been spending the sum.
mer in Cincinnati, where he had gone to
settle up some accounts Of long standing,
He was now ON his way home, carrying
with him large amount Of money, which
he had collected for the firm Of which he
was junior member. t-a4n s... lu.
The season had been remarkably dry,
and, in consequences, the rirer was lower
than could be recollected by the oldest
settlers but as the antumnal season ad.
yancci when the semi-annual rise Of wa
ters might be confidently expected, many
travellers arrived at Louisville to take ad-
vantage of the earliest boats Tor the low
Ell country. ..Lv t,s. .,a.'l. ...., "a
After many disappoihtments, the river
began to swell in good earnest, and all
hurried on board thsir respective steam
ers to secure their passage home. ..
Mr.. Harris and 1, after having selected
our stateroom and seen TO tho safely of
our baggage, had leisure to look around
us and make the acquaintance of our fel
low travellers. We found, to our dis
gust, it had been our misfortune TO take
passage with as large and accomplished
a set of gamblers as ever disgraced do
cent society. They were bound down
the river on a." professional tourR
through the Southern States uiiuar
| As soon as we were well under way
the implements Of their ncfarious trade
were brought forth, I" Faro, 7 rouge 1T
noir, and various other games were cx
hibited to the unwary to risk their mon.
ey. AT first many Of the gentlemen on
board objected to having the cabin turn
ed into a gambling hall. but the profcs
sionals loudly protested that they played
only on the square, and furthermore dc,
clared that should one of their number
be detected in cheating, that the stakes
should be forfeited and he put on shore
at the nearest land 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 the object Of
the gamblers especial regard, firmly de,
clined all invitations to try his luck But
ene fine evening, after the supper table
had bean cleared, he, weary of their i'm
portunity, or yielding, as he afterwards
told me, to a natural love for the excite
nent Of play, consented to make ono Of
a party Of four, who were about to 81,
down to game OF cards Tor small stakes
just to pass away the time. q. .'NE0H
For while my interest in tho fortunes
of Harris induced me to remain n, his
side and watch the chances Of the game
but rs the sums staked were small, and
as the parties seemed evidently matched
in point Of skill, / soon tired Of such un
interesting employment, and retired to q
distant part of the cabin to amuss my.
self with a book--in the contents OF
which almost immediately became alb
| sorbed. ] read on for some time, prob
ably an hour and half; but while paus
ing for few inmates to cut the leaves,
(the book was q new one, became con
scious that an unusual stiffness proyadeJ
the room. There was no longer to be
heard the rattle Of dice, the sharp click OF
tue ivory faro clieck, or the subdued
murmer Of the players. Raising my eyes
to see what could be the canse OF this un-
usual stiffness, saw that all the banks
were deserted. and the players were
standing motionlcss round the table at
which ! had LETT Harris and his compan.
ions engaged at cuchre. ........
Wondering what could induce men
who were accustomed to risk the largest
stakes at the turn of card to take such
an interest in so small a game, threw
down my book and approaching the par.
ty, soon made my way to the table !
saw at once that great change had taxi
en- place since was locker on. The
stakes were largely increased, and two