The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1875-08-04

Was She . Brickf
It.was one of the handsomest pack
cts on the river, and among the pas
sengera bound for Vicksburg were a
Georgian and his wife, who have rela-
tives in Mississippi.
He was a large sized, handsome
looking man, and she was pleasant
looking little woman, with blue eyes
and short chestnut curls. One would
have said that she would have scream
ed at tilt of the boat
He sat smoking with other gentle
men after she had retired to her state
room. and the cabin was entirely clear
of ladies, when some one proposed q
game ei cards. In ten minutes after
half a dozen men were shutting cards
over cabin tables, and the Georgian
was matched against a stranger to all
on board. He was quiet, courteous.
well-dressed man, and had been taken
for a traveller in search of health. He
was lucky with his cards, but he. did
not propose playing for stakes. 1t
was the nettled Georgian who pro-
posed it. He called himself cham
pion hand at poker, and when he
found he had met his equal he deter
mined to test the strangers financial
metal.
They had 6fty dollars on the table
when the Captain looked into the
cabin. He caught the Georgian's eye
and gave him to understand that his
opponent was river black-leg, but
the other gentlemen had crowded
around. money was up, and the infor-
nation had come too late. Besides.
the Georgian was doing we'll enough,
and he f1attered himself that he could
teach the courteous black leg lesson.
1t was a very quiet group around
the table, and alter the play had con-
tinued for fifteen minutes the gentle
men spoke in whispers. and some of
them were reminded Of old times on
the Mississippi, when gamblers had
the full run of every boat.
The Georgian had luck with him
from the start, and while he looked
smiling and confident, the gambler
appeared to grow excited and uneasy.
His money was raked across the table
until the Georgian had $500 in green
backs before him. The stakes had
been light up to this time, both men
seeming to fear each others skill.
The Georgian proposed to increase
them, and the gambler agreed. In
ten minutes later the latter had his
800 back. Luck had turned. The
Georgian lost $50; then $50; then $50;
then 500.
The gamblers face wore a quiet
smile. as the Georgian became nerv-
Gus. His hands trembled as he held
up the cards, and his face was wet
with moisture.
Come, gentlemen!' said one of the
group, let's have general hand for
amusement, and then turn in"
The Georgian looked up with
fixed glance, and replied:
Il have lost $4OO; he must give me
a fair shOw!"
The play went on. The heap of
greenbacks at the gamblers right
hand grew larger. Once in q while
the Georgian won, but he lost SO for
every one gained. He finally laid
down his cards, pulled roll of bills
from breast pocket, and counted out
1900. This was his pile. In less than
ten minutes every dollar of it had been
added to the gamblers heap.
Gentlemen, will you smoker ask
ed the gambler, as he turned around
and drew his cigar case.
They knew his true character in
spite Of bis disguise, and they refused.
Il am sorry for my friend" he con-
tinued, biting at the end of his cigar,
"but you will agree that the play was
fair"
The Georgian had passed out on
the promenade deck. The gambler
turned to his stack of bills and was
counting them when there was a sharp
exclamation, the sounds of briet
struggle, and the little woman with
blue eyes and chestnut curls entered
the cabin. She was half undressed, a
shawl thrown over her shoulders, and
she had q revolver in her hand.
No one had seen her leave her state
room and cross the cabin. No one
knew that the husband had the re-
volver in his hand as she softly came
upon him. Go backl" he whispered
II am coming in a moment!"
With swift motion she seized the
weapon, wrenched it from his grasp,
and as she came down the cabin to the
table at which the gambler sat, and
around which half dozen men yet
fingered, her blue eyes were full OF
fire.
The gambler looked up.
The hammer of the revolver came
up with double click
A white arm stretched out, and the
muzzle Of the revolver looked straight
into the gamblers face.
He turned pale; the men fell back.
For half a minute the deep silence
was broken only by the faint splash of
the paddle-wheels.
Co.. she said.
He looked into her flaming eyes as
if he could bluff her.
''Gor'
He rose up and reached for the
Leave itr' che whispered, making
a threatening motion with the revOlv-
er.
He retreated back.
She followed.
Foot by foot he backed across the
cabin, the muzzle of the revolver al
ways on a line with his face. He
backed through the door on the prom
enade deck and the railing was there.
"Jumpl" she whispered.
The boat was running along within
three hundred feet OF the shore. Over
the rail to the water was terrible
leap:
You can have the money!" he said.
"Jumpl" she repeated.
II will not"
The arm came up a little, ard the
light from the cabin showed him
cold, strange, determined look on her
face. He turned about, shivered, and
was over the rail, leaping far out and
unable to suppress a cry of alarm, as
ha fnlf hima Golf OoinU 6owp