Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-07-15
Was She q Brick /?

Dounu lOr NlcKSDufT were Georgian ana
his wife, who have relatives in Missis-
| sippi.
He was large-sized, handsome look
ing man and she was pleasant looking
| little woman, with blue eyes and short
chestnut curls. One would have said that
she would have screamed at a tilt of the
| boat
He sat smoking with other gentlemen
after she had retired to ler state-room,
ana the cabin was entirely clear of ladies',
when some one proposed game of cards.
In ten minutes after half dozen men
We're shuifling cards over cabin tables.
and the Georgian was matched against q
stranger to all on board He was a quiet.
courteous, well-dressed man, and had been
| taken for 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 proposed it. He
| called himself "A champion hand at poker,
and when he found that he had met his
equal he determined to test the strangers
financial metal.
They had fifty 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 Il
river backleg, but the other gentlemen
had dropped their cards and crowded
around, money was up, and the informal
ton had come too late. Besides, the
Georgian was doing well enough and he
fattered himself that he could teach the
| courteous blackleg a lesson.
1t was very quiet group around the
table, and after the play had continued
for fifteen minutes the gentlemen spoke in
whispers, and some of them were remind
ed 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 5000 in greenbacks before him. The
stakes had been light up to this time, both
men seeming to fear the others skill. The
Georgian proposed to increase them, and
the gambler agreed. In ten minutes the
latter had his 5000 back. Luck had
turned The Georgian lost $50; then
$50; then $50; then 800.
The gamblers face wore quiet smile
as the Georgian became nervous. 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 Il general hand for
amusement, and then turn in"
The Georgian looked up with fixed
glance, and replied:
g have lost 800; he must give me Il
fair showr'
The play went on. The heap of green
backs at the gamblers right hand grew
larger Once in awhile the Georgian won,
but he lost ten dollars for every one
gained He finally laid down his cards,
pulled roll of bills from his breast
pocket, and counted out $500 This was
his pile. In less than ten minutes every
dollar of II had been added to the
gamblers heap.
Gentlemen, will you smoker" asked
the gambler, as he turned around and
drew his cigar-case.
They knew his true character in spite
of his disguise, and they refused.
:" am sorry for my friend" he contin-
ned, biting at the end OF 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 n sharp exclamation, the
sounds os brief struggle, and the little
woman with blue eyes and chestnut curls
entered the cabin. She was half un-
dressed "a shawl thrown over her shout
ders, and she. had revolver in her hand.
No one had seen her leave her state
room and cross the cabin. No one knew
that her husband had the revolver in his
hand as she softly came upon him. $50
back" he whispered" am coming in
momentn'
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 mllZ-
zle of the revolver looked straight into the
gamblers face
He turned pale; the men fell back.
For half minute the deep silence was
broken only by the faint splash of the
paddle. wheels
fGo,' she said.
He looked into her Saming eyes as if
he could bluff her.
coop
He rose up and reached for the money.
Leave III" she whispered, making
threatening motion with the revolver.
He retreated back.
She followed.
Foot by foot he backed across the c9bin,
the muzzle Of the revolver always on II
line with his face He backed through
the door on the promenade deck and the
railing was there.
Jump" She whispered.
The boat was running along within 300
feet Of the shore. over the rail 10 the
WATERWAYS "a terrible leap.
" You can have the money" he said.
Jump" she repeated.
~ will nofri