The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-04-21

players were gathered, where a smooth,
oily, cat like Southcrner dealt, huge
bowie, with ten inch blade, sticking in
the table before him. Shutting the
cards he placed them in the silver box,
then, while waiting for the players to
make their game, he said, tapping the
silver bilt of his bowie:
"Gentlemen, you see this 1 play on
the square, and l warn you all that the
first man ! catch trying to confuse the
stakes will have his hand pinned to the
table!'
AS no remarks followed that blunt
statement, one would infer that such
trick as confusing the stakes" by sud-
denly shifting from losing card the
money staked thereon was not entirely
unknown. We watched the deal nearly
out. when, improbable as it may seem,
seedv looking "greaser' suddenly
shifted his stake, his quick eye detecting
the losing card ere it was fairly uncov-
cred
Thud went the knife as swift as the
Ilightning's flash, true 70 eye as Kit Car
sons long "Harkins," and the sreaser's S
hand was pinned to the table! Instant
ly all was confusion around the table,
each man instinctively shrinking back
as the glittering blade flashed before his
eyes, while, with single sharp yell of
pain the greaser bent low over the gold
laden table.
His pain must have been intense, for
the broad blade had penetrated through
the lack of his hand, severing one or
more Of the bones, fastening the palm
upon the trifing stake he had wished
so much to cover. And yet, as / stood
at the end of the table, l distinctly saw
the rascal slip his left hand beneath his
body and clutch handful of the gol.
den ounces from the pile of his next
neighbor, then drop them unperceived
down his wide boot leg! The sharp
jingle of the coins he deadened by an
other shrek and longwinded volley oil
all the curses in his vocabulary, which
would have put TO the blush the oldest
"bull-whacker'' of prairie freightins
days.
The dealer "politely cursed" the
greaser for few moments, then with
drew his bowie, wiping it upon thu
mans blanket, then calmly resumins
the interrupted game. The greaser
swapping up his hand, stole silently
away, no doubt thinking his WOUND
paid for by his adroit clutch.
/ had been watching a young man, {
casual acquaintance, whom 1 knew wa
junior partner in New Orleans firm
He was playing heavily, and kept call
ing for liquor, which the obsequiou
walters promptly supplied. I woul'
. have spoken to him, but Don jamie re
! strained me, pointing to the cooked re
volver lying before the man. did no
+ care to risk shot-certainly an insul
!, by making an effort to draw th
young man away from the table.
Every deal seemed to 60 dead agains
! young Cleveland, and then, when bu
one more turn remained in the box. b
flung large pocket book upon the is
!, bic, muttering hoarsely:
= :, ats neck or nothing" that Loses
!, then I'll
= He did not finish the sentence, BIT
leaned forward, watching the turn wit
bated breath, pale as corpse, and the
the tray fell upon the losing side!
!. Scarcely was the result perceptibl
when the room rang with pistol-sho
:, Cleveland sank forward, his head res
> ing upon the pocket-book, his hrair
. and blood bespattering all around hin
Silence and death came at the sam
breath.
> ShudGering, heartsick, left the bel
q nor has my foot ever crossed the thres
q old of gambling hell since that nigh