Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-08-20
Was She q Brick :?

Was She Brick!
1t was one of the handsomest packets on
the river, and among the passengers bound
for Vicksburg was Georgian and his wife,
who have relatives in Mississippi.
He was large-sized, handsome-looking
man, and she was pleasant-looking little
woman, with blue eyes and short chesnut
curls. One would have said that she would
have screamed at a tilt of the boat.
He sat smoking with other gentleman
after she had retired to her state-room, and
the cabin was entirely clear of ladies, when
some one proposed game of cards. In ten
minutes after half dozen men were shulfling
cards over cabin tables and the Georgian was
matched against d 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 did not propose playing for stakes.
1t was the nettled Georgian who proposed it.
He called himself 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 wasa river
black-leg, but the other gentlemen had drop
ped their cards and crowded around, money
was up, and the information had come too
late. Besides, the Geogian was doing well
enough, and he tiattered himself that he
could teach the courteous black-leg lesson.
1t was very quiet group around the Ia
bic, and after the play had continued for ff
teen minutes the gentlemen spoke in wispers,
and some of them were reminded of times on
the Mississippi, when gamblers had the fall
run Of every boat.
The Georgian had luck with him from the
start. and while he looked smiling and con-
and uneasy. His money was raked across
the table until the Georgian had 5000 in
greenbacks from him. The stakes had been
light up to this time, both men seeming to
fear each others skill. The Georgian pro-
posed to increase them, and the gambler
agreed. In ten minutes the gambler had his !
$500 hack. Luck had changed. The Geor-
gian lost $50, then so, then $50, then
800.
The gamblers face wore a 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, |
lets have a general hand for amusement,
and then turn in."
The Georgian looked up, with glance,
and replied
II have lost 500; he must give ne fair
show !"
The play went on, the heap Of greenbacks
at the gamblers right hand grew larger.
Once in a while the Georgian won, bat he
lost SO for every one gained. lie finally
laid down his cards. pulled out a roll OF bills
from breast pocket, and counted out $500.
This was his pile. In less than ten minutes
every dollar of it had been added to the gam
bler's heap.
"Gentlemen, will you smoke = asked the
gambler, a. he turned round and drew his
cigar case.
They knew his true character in spite of
his disguise, and they refused.
Il am sorry for my friend, he continued,
biting at the end Of cigar, ''but you will
agree that the play was fair -
The Georgian had passed out on the prom
enade deck. The gambler turned TO his
stack Of bills and was counting them, when
there was a sharp exclamation, the sounds
with blue ewes and chesnut curls entered
the cabin. She was half undressed. shawl
thrown over her shoulders, 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. 60 back - he
Il am going in 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 vet fingered, her blue eyes were iull
Of fire.
The gambler looked up.
The hammer of tie revolver came up with
4 double click
white arm stretched out and the muzzle
lf the revolver looked straight in to the gam
5ler's 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
go 80 She said
lie looked into her flaming eyes Is if he
could bluff her.
GO 80
lie rose up and reached for the money.
Leave it" She whispered. makinga :
threatening motion with the revolver.
He retreated back.
She followed.
Foot by foot he backed across the cabin,
The muzze Of the revolver always on line
with his face. He backed through the door
IN the promenade deck, and the railing was
here
Jump" she whispered.
The boat was running along within three
hundred feet of the shore. Over the rail to
he water was the terrible leap. ;
''Yon can have the money he said.
Jump" she repeated.
~ viii not
The arm came up little and the light
rom the cabin window showed him cold, !
strange, determined look on her face. He
urned about, shiyered, and was over the
all, eaping far out and unable TO suppress
cry of alarm as he felt himself going down.
The boat swept along. herar fell, and.
-e-entering the cabin she sat down, leaned
Ter head on the table and wept bitterly.
The passengers said she was ''bricG.
Was she = -JlckSburQ Herald