The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-07-22
The Gambler Brothers.

In 1S49. the principal banking iustitu-
ton Of the chance kind in San Francisco,
were the Bella Union 'Veranda,' MIN.
de Oro.' aud Parker House., all situated
about Plaza apd each employed band
OF music to lessen the tedious hours OF
that rainy winter. aud to drown the noise
OF dingling gold and silver, and the curs-
ing CALCULATIONS Of the gamblers.
The MIN de Oro' was gambling sa-
loon on Washington street, opposite the
Eldorado, and in 1910 was the principal
resort Of the disbauded soldiers Of the
California regiments, and also of the SOL
diers who had been engaged in the war
with Mexico.
Behind one Of the largest monte banks
10 the room sat man who had won for
himself honorable. mention, and an officer s
commission was given him for his bravery
at the storming of Monterey but, pre-
ferring the climate of California, and Its
golden prospects, to more northern,
he embarked Tor that country at the close
Of the war with Mexico, and upon arriv-
ing he opened gambling saloon. The
emigrants came in by the thousand, and
for three two or three Lights after his ar
rival a young man entered the saloon,
aud seated himself at the bank and staked
various sumo on the cards until he lost
nearly all he possessed.
Excited by the game, and maddened
BY his losses, he accused the dealer of
cheating; the dealer replied sharply /;
the lie passed; aud then the young man
struck the dealer severe blow in the
face. Quick as thought a sharp report
of pistol followed, and the gambler
clothing was covered with the young
mans blood he had shot him through
the right breast. The room was soon
cleared of spectators present, the door
closed, and medical attendance called in
to aid the wounded man.
The gambler sat moodily over his bank,
running the small monte cards through
his fingers, and perhaps thinking Of the
deed just perpetraied, when the wounded
man gave moan oil agony, as the doc
tors probe reached the bottom of the
wound.
The doctor inquired what State he was
from, and the wounded man replied:
From Vermont
The gambler raised his head, for he
had not for a long time seen person
from the home Of his childhood, and Yer.
mont being the name Of his native State
the mere mention Of tho name interested
him.
The doctor next inquired the name Of
the place where bis friends resided, if he
had any. The wounded man replied:
Montpelier
The gambler sprang to his feet, his
lips trcmhled, and his face was pale as
death. Montpelier was the home of his
youth, and perhaps the wounded man
might have been bis playmate in child.
hood-perhaps his schoolmate-knew his
parents, his brothers, sisters. He clung
convusively to the table and with con.
teuding emotions Of rapid thought, and
the weight Of the injuries inflicted, he
could scarcely stand upon his feet
A stimulant was given to the wounded
man, and he was momentarily relieved
from that weakness the body is SO sub
jcct to after severe wound, when the
doctor inquired if there was any friend
in the city he wished to send for.
Yes he replied, my wife. She is 81
the City Hall, on the corner of Clay and
Kearney streets. Tell Mary to hasten
for | am badly hurt
A man was sent to bring his wife
Doctor, said the gambler. save tina
mans life, and there is my bank ant
$4,000 in Burgoyne, ard you shall have
it all
The doctor felt the pulse OF the man
and probed the wound anew. The gamb
Ter watched him with the greatest anxiety
until the inspection was finished, whel
the doctor shook his head 10 token Of i'm
possibility.
The gambler sat by the side of th
wounded man-bathed his head, AM
staunched the flow of blood from hi
wound, until the arrival of his wife. Sh
came, accompanied by few friends, AM
as heroic women bear their misfortune
she bore hers. Not word of reproac
passed her lips, as tears conrsed each 9th
er down her lips. To her inquiry as t
the chance of her husbands s recovery, tn
doctor assured her there was no hop
whatever-that the wound was morta
aud that in few hours the wounded ma
must die She sank down on her knee
and invoked the mercy Of forgivin
God upon her husband and his murdere
The gambler knelt by the side OF th
wounded man, and asked his forgiveness
for the great wrong he had committe'
and also that Of his afflicted wife. whic
Was readily granted.
This said he, is for disobeying Il
sacred injunction OF my aged father al
mother. have faced death thousar
times. aud still have escaped; the bal
OF an enemy have wbisted past my ca
as thick as hailstones, and the burstir
bomb has exploded a. my feet, still
, have lived, o! God, and for this! Hig
above the red tide of battle have ca
ried my country's ensign, and that W,
me home among men. When not O.
comlade was left to tell Of the battle,
escaped uahurt Why was | not kill
with the rest AL, that was proud al
pleasing to man l have had, and il
could recall this last act by living
husks, sleeping in pauper's grave, al
renounclDg every proud act Of my life
would do it. | was born in the same v
lage with that man we were born |
meath the same roof, and, O! God-t
same mother gave us birth he must I
die-he is my brother = and the gamb
sunk down in a swoon upon the floor.
The wounded man raised himself up
his elbows his glazed eyes wander