Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-01-11
THE LOADED DICE.

ter Of this sketch, while detained af Lou.
isville awaiting the rise in the Ohio river.
to begin bis journey to New Orleans. FIRST
made the acquaintance Of Mr.. Harris. .
wealthy young merchant Of the above nam
ed city, who bad been spending the Sum-
mer in Cincinnati. where he had gone to
settle up some accounts of long standing
He was now on bis way home, carrying
with him large amount of money which
he had collected for the 6rm Of which he
was the junior member.
TLeseason had been remarkably dry,
and, in consequence, the river was lever
than could BE- reeollected BY the oldest set
tiers. but as the Autumnal season advan-
ced when the semi-aunual rise Of water
might be confidently expected. many
travellers arrived at Louisville to take ad-
vantage Of the earliest boats for the low
er country.
After many disappointments the river
began 20 swell in good earnest, and all
hurried on board of their respective steam
ers 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 fell
low travellers We found. to our intense
disgust, it had been our misfortune to take
passage with large and as accomplished
set Of gamblers as ever disgraced decent
society. They were bound down the riv-
er on professional tour through the
Southern States
As soon as we were we'll under way the
implements of their nefarious trades 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 caught
cheating. that the stakes should be for
feted, and he put on shore on the nearest
land. 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, anl who was evidently an OBJ
ject of the gamblers special regard. firm
ly declined all invitations to a. try his
luck" But one evening. after the sup
per table had been cleared, he, weary Of
their importantly. or yielding. as he af-
told me. to n natural love for the
excitement of play. consented to make one
of party Of four. who were about to sit
down to game of cards for small stakes,
lust to pass away the time"
The players took their seats-the cards
were dealt and the game began.
For awhile my interest in the fortune
of Harris induced me to remain at his side
and watch the chances Of the game but
as the sums staked were but small and as
the parties seemed evenly matched in
point of skill, soon tired Of such unin-
teresting employment and retired to dis
tant part Of Tie cabin to amuse myself
with book-in the contents Of which |
almost Immediately became absorbed. I
read on for some time, probably an hour
and half; but while pausing for few
moments to cut the leaves. the book was
new one. | became conscious that an un-
usual stiffness pervaded the room. There
was no longer to be heard the rattle Of
dice. the sharp click of the ivory faro
checks" or the subdued murmur Of the
players. Raising my eyes to see what
could be the cause ofthis unusual silence,
saw that all the banks" had been de-
serted and the players were standing mo-
tionless round the table, at which I had
left Harris and his companions engaged
at euchre.
Wondering what could induce men who
were accustomed to risk the largest stakes
on the turn of card to take such an in
terest in so small game. threw down
my book. and approaching the party. soon
made my way close up to the table.
saw at once that a great change had
taken place since had been looker-on
The stakes were largely increased, and
two Of the party. either unable or too tim
id to risk such large amounts. had with
drawn from the table. Harris and one Of
the gamblers. however. still retained their
seats. and with eager faces and shaking
hands. shuffied and dealt the cards. For
tune seemed to have favored Harris-for
just as 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 moments hesitation,
Harris assented.
The dice and cups were procured and
the excited gamesters again bet their mon
ey. but no longer with the same result
Harris good luck" seemed to have de-
serted him, ard his antagonist won stake
after stake. Harris now seemed wild with
excitement. He doubled every time, un-
ill at last no less than ten thousand dol
lars lay upon the table to be won or los,
at single throw Of the dice. Again was
the gambler successful Harris now spranc
from his chair. and calling on mis- an,ago-
mist to remain where be was, repaired to
his stsse-room. aud returning in o few
minutes be dashed down upon the table q
large roll of bank notes. saying at the same
time to the gambler. .You have already
won from me over fifteen thousand dol
lars; these bank bills represent double
that amount. dare you risk like sum and
let the ownership Of the whole be decided
BY . single cast p The gambler at once
expressed bis willingness to do so. ba, de-
clared that he had not 30 much money in