Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-09-09
A PLrcEy WOMAN.

| A pLrcxy woIAN.
The Vicksburg Herald relates the
following incident: 1t was one OF the
handsomest packets on the river, anG
among the passengers bound for Y icks-
burg WAS Georgian and his wife
who have relatives in Mlssi ssippi.
He was large sized, handsome look
ing man, and she was pleasant look
ing woman with blue eyes and short
chestnut curls. One would have said
that she would have screamed 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 a
game of cards. In ten minutes after,
half dozen men were shutting cards
over cabin tables, and the Georgian
was matched against stranger to sill
on board. He vas quiet, courteous,
well-dressed man, and had been taken
for traveller in search of health. He
was lucky but he did not propose play
ing 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 straug-
er's 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 river blacklee, but the other gen
tlemen had dropped their cards and
crowded around, money was up, and
the information had come too late
Besides, the Georgian was fattering
himself that he could teach the court.
eous blsckleg lesson.
1t was very quiet group around the
table, and after the play had continued
for minutes the gentlemen spoke in
whispers. and some of them were re
minded 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 APP
peared to grow excited and uneasy
His money was raked across the table
until the Georgian had two hundred
dollars in greenbacks before him. The
Stakes had been light up to this time,
both men seeming to fear each others
skill The Georgian proposed to in
crease them and the gambler agreed.
In ten minutes the latter had his two
hundred dollars back. Luck had
turned. The Georgian lost twenty
dollars, then fifty dollars, and eighty
dollars, then one hundred dollars.
The gamblers face wore a quiet
smile the Georgian became nervous.
His hands trembled as he held up his
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
81 have lost one hundred dollars
He must give me fair show !"
The play went on. The heap O.
grsenbacks at the gamblers right hanc
grew larger. Once in while th'
Georgian won, but he lost ten dollars
for every one he gained. He FINAL,
laid down his cards, pulled a roll o
bills from his breast pocket, and counted
out three hundred dollars. This wa
his pile In less than ten minute
every dollar of it had been added to th'
gamblers heap.
"Gentlemen, will you smoke?" ssket
the gambler as he turned around ant
drew his sigar-case.
| They knew his true character Il
spite of his disguise, and they re
fused.
81 am sorry for my friend" he con
tinued, biting at the end Of cigar
.'bat you will agree that the play wa
fair"
/ The Georgian had passed out on tn
promenade deck The gambler turne
| to his stack of bills and was countini
them, when there was short exclana
ton, the sound of a brief struggle, an
the little woman with blue eyes AM
chestnut curls entered the cabin. Sh
was halt undressed, a shawl throw
over her shoulder, and she had re
volver in her hand.
4 No one had seen her leave he
stateroom and cross the cabin. N
| one knew that her husband had the re