Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-07-19
rha Retnrnnnh Gambler.

Once upon a time there came to Poker
willie a genius OF the stripe commonly
known as the Reformed Gambler.
Now, as Pokervillians had no other
amusemenls than playing poker or seven
up, when 1t became generally known that
individual was coming that way whose
aYowed purpose Was the demolition of
those popular institutions, and conse-
quently the destruction of the town,
through the snnihilation of the very Sim
dustiy" upon which its existence depend
ed, there arose a great excitement, and
preparations were made to give him a
warm reception. A meeting was help at
which all the people attended mass, and
the prospect for the new light of reform
was anything but encouraging.
Notwithstanding all this-or perhaps
because thereof-the hall which had
been engaged for the lecture was crowded
with an eXpectant thronR, who had gone
there with the express purpose of mobbng
the exponent Of unsavory truths.
Among the assembled wisdom was the
head deacon Of Pokerville, who never
played cards, except for "fun," (with II
nominal stake, 'Just to make II interest
ing, You know,"l and who had such Il
rooted antiDathy for card players in zen
eral that lie never had compunction
against skiunirg any OF 'em when it did
30 happen that he was induced TO take
hand.
R1he speaker STEPPED upon the rosirum,
puuctual to the mOment--a tall. spruce.
looking fellow, dressed in an ordinary
suit Of pepper-and-salt mixture, with
shOit elubby hair, and a very red nose.
In proceeding to his lecture, he threw
down upon the table pack of ordinary
playing cards, and deliberately rolled mp
bis sleeves, and spit on his hands, At
which demonstration curiosity 50 far got
the better of Indignation that the muir
murilg and scrspng of feet subsided,
and the lecturer knew, by the general
cranng of necks, and the ilrmness with
which each listener clenched in his teeth
/ his individual schaw" of tobacco, that
he had got ZEN where he wanted
'em,"
The proceedings we're opened with a
"prn'rn by the deacon, and to hear the
"amcns - and "Oh, Lords :" which
gurgled up from the stOmachs of the lis
tentis, one would have supposed a prayer
meeting was in progress; but that was
the way they always did il In Pokerville,
The lecturer went right into the bowels
OF his subject. lie traced the origin of
cards back TO the father of all sin, aud
said the first victim of the pastehoards
was Esau, who gambled oil his patrimOny
at the game uf euchte, and was 10 dead
broke in consequence that he was glad to
accept of fiee lunch Mt the hands Of the
victor lie was down on cards Of all
kinds, of general principle, and since he
bad ascertained that the Dow-langled
''postal cards" were only devised as an
instrument of offensive warfare In the
hands of Guns, he was down on them
too.
But first he wished to explain TO hi.
audience the means by which so many
were skinned Of their little piles, and wa,
willing to bet there wasn't any mau in The
room that he cOuldn't be at no matter wha
the odds might be against him.
There was a general qroSding forward
toward the rOstium, and pretty soon th'
table was heaped with money betters
Trick after trick was explained, bu
somehow, although every body saw it,
no money was seen 10 return TO the pock
cts of those who had ventured IL. o.
seeing their cash disappear at the end o
each fresh experiment, they wonld scratcl
their heads, ~ if in some perplexity, an'
then 20 over to hold a conference will
the deacon.
The hour for dispersal having at las
arrived, the Great Reformer took up hi
. hat, stuffed his 'lecture" into his pocket
: and was about to leave, when the deacOl
rose to his feet and pquested the indul
! gence Of the lecturer, as he had "a feV
remarks to offer"
, "Although most Of the folks here pre-
sent, - he said, appear to consider they'v
got their moneys worth, | amt quit
satisfied myself, ard, though I'm dea
set against gamblin', 1 wouldn't min
enterin' into trial OF skill with M
, friend here, and if l'm beat II may b
/ concluded that the knights of the paste
, board air done in Pokerville."
The Great Reformer being ready L
70 accommodate, the two sat down at oppC
I site ends of the table, the crowd gathere
! round, and for soma moments nothin
was to be heard but the humping OF th
/ deacon's fist and the scratching sound q
! his fingers as he raked in the cash.
D The Great Reformer began to loo
@ sickly, and when he got mp again TO leay
4 il was observed that his features didu'
D wear that pleasant smile which ha
1 overspread them at the earlier stage Q
I the evening.
Snow, deacon" 4" said one of the orig
\ nal sufferers, there's about twenty of u
I in for il, and guess you may as we
D.. divide up"
. "In that case" said the deacon, ''th
z force Of this great moral lesson would /
{ utterly lost. The Lord giveth and th
b Lord taketh away. Let us pray"
S Since then It is dangerous for a greer
d horn tO pass through Ppkerville.
d ~-