New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-08-29
fhs Hand Which Won.

| tue river, ana among the passengers bOun
Tor Vlcksburg were Georgian and his wife
who have relatives in Mississippi.
l He was large-sized, handsome lookin
man, and che was pleasant looking .litti
woman. with blue eyes and short chestnu
curls. One v 0uld have said that she woul,
have screamed at tilt of the boat. :.
| He sat smoking with other gentleme,
| after she had retired to her stste-room. an Z
the cabin was entirely clear ofladies, whel
some one proposed game of cards. In tel
| minutes after half a zen men were shut
fling cards over cabin tables, and the Geor
glan was matched against stranger to all
on board. He was quiet, courteous, well
dressed man, and had been taken for a trav.
eler in search of health. He was lucky with
his cards, but he did not propose PLAYING
for stakes. 1t was the nettled (3eOrgian
who proposed it. He called himself cham,
pion hand at poker, and when he found
that he had met b 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 a river
blackleg, but the other gentlemen had
dropped their cards and crowded around.
money was up, and the information hati
come too late. Besides, the Georgian was
doing well enough; and he hattered him
self that he could teach the courteous
blackleg lesson.
1t was very quiet group around the
table, and after the play Lad continued for
fifteen minutes the gentlemen spoke in
whispers, and some of them we're reminded
of the old time on the Mississippi. when
gamblers had the full run of every boat.
She Georgian had luck with him from the
start, and while he looked smiling and con-
fdent, the gambler appeared to grow ex-
cited 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 SEEM
ing to fear each others skill. The Georgian
proposed TO increase themSand the gambler
agreed. In ten minutes the latter had his
5000 back. Luck had turned. The Geor.
gian lost $50; then $50; then $50; then 500.
The ganbier's face wore q quiet emile "A
the Georgian became nervous His hands
trembled az he held up the cards. ana his
face was wet with. moisture.
Come gentlemen said one of the
group, "let's have general hand for
and then turn in"
The Georgian looked mp with @ fixed
glance, and replied:
Il have lost $500; he must give me fair
show V J..
The play went on. The heap of green
backs at the gamblers right hand prev
arger. Once in while the Georgian won.
put he lost $40 for every one gained. He
lnaliy laid down his cards, pulled roll of
pills from his breast pocket, and counted
mt $500. This was his pile. In less than
en- minutes every dollar Of it had been
ldded to the gamblers heap. ]
''Gentlemen. will yor smoker asked the
gambler, Is he turned around and drew his |
i2ar case. |
They knew his true character III spite Of |
lis disguise, and they refused.
u am sorry for my friend, }" he continued,
'iting at the end of cigar; 'but you will !
gree that the play was fairHs
dhe Georgian had passed QUE of the |
deck. The gambler turned to |
lis stack of bills and was counting them
VheB there was a sharp exclamation, the |
dauds OF brief struggle, and the little
7omsa with blue eyes and chestnut curls
ntered the cabin. She was halt undressed.
shawl thrown over her shoulders, and she |
ad a revolver lnb her hand. No one had
cen hes leave her staterOom and cross the |
abin. No one knew that her husband had
he revolveS in his hand az she softly came
pom him. ''Go backv' he whispered: II L
m coming in a moment"
With swift motion she seized the w2anon.
'renchsd it from his grasp. and as she
ams down the cabin to the table at which
10 gambler sat, and around which half a
o o.; n men yet fingered, her blue eyes were
The gambler looked up.
The hammer Of the reyolTerc came up With
dOAole click.
a white arm stretched out, and the muz-
o. me revolver looked straight into Che
He turned pale; che men fell back. /
FOR balf minute the deep silence was !
Feken only BY the faint splash Of the
Col! she said.
He looked into bee hzDias eyes ss Is 10
nd bluff beg. |,
lie rose up and reached fo4 the money, I
leave it!' she whispered, makine a
reatening motion Hith the seyolyer,
He retreated taeka I
She followed. :,
Foot by foot he backed acyoes The cabin
e muzzle of the revolver always on a line
th his face. He backed through the door
the promenade deck and the railing was
Jump she whispered. h
inbred feet of the shore. Over the rail
the water was terrible leap.
. You can have the money" he said. !
Jump" she repeated, ~
u will not!'
The arm came up little, and the night !,
I'M the cabin showed him bold, strange.
termined look on her face. He turned =
out. shivered, and was over the rail. :
ping far out and unable to suppress. :
of alarm; - he felt himself going ddwn..l
The boat swept along, her arm fell, aid. | \
entering the cabin, che ct down, loaned !,
head ON tho table and wept bitterly. :
Inc PaseenGere said she was . "brick."
Nss shss- Vieksburg Herald. =.