The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-07-12
WAS SHE A BRICK?

WAS SHE A BRICK?
1t was one'of the handsomest packet
on the river. and among the passenger
bound Tor Vicksburg were a Georgia
and his wife, who have relatives in M II
sissippi.
He was large-sized, handsome-l lool
ing man. and she was a pleasant-lookin
little woman, with blue eyes and shor
chestnut ourls. One would have sal
that she would have screamed ut q til
| Of the boat,
| He sat smoking with other gentleme
alter she had retired to her stateroon
and the cabin was entirely clear ofladies
when some one proposed game of cards
In ten minutes alter, half dozen mel
were shuffling cards over cabin tables
and the Georgian was matched agalns
stranger to gil ON board. He was
quiet, courteous, well-dressed man, ant
had been taken for traveller ip searcl
Of health. He was lucky with his cards
but he did not propose playing fo
stakes. 1t was the ncttled Georgian
who proposed 1t. He called himself ;
champion hand at poker, and when ht
found that he had met his equal he de
termined TO test the strangers financial
mettle.
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 tnat his opponent was
river black.leg, but the other gentle
men had dropped their cards and
crowded around, money was up, and the
information had come too late. Besides,
the Georgian was doing well enough, and
he flattered himself that he could teach
the courteous Dlack-leg lesson.
1t was a 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 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 appeared TO
grow excited and uneasy. His money
was raked across the table until the
Georgian had $500 in greenbacks before
him. The stakes had been light up to
this time, both men seeming to lear each
others skill. The Georgian proposed to
increase them, the gambler agreed. In
ten minutes the latter had his $500 back.
Luck had turned. The Georgian lost $40;
then $50; then $50; teen $1OO.
The gamblers lace wore u quiet smile
The Georgian became nervous. Ills hands
as he held up the cards, and
lis face was wet with moisture.
'sCome gentlemenp said one of the
let's have q general hand for
ana then turn ill.,"
The Georgian looked up with fixed
glance, and replied:
Il have lost $500; he must give me a
'air snowy
The play went on. The heap of green
yaeks at The gamblers right manu- grew
arger. Once in while the Georgian
Won, but he lost ten dollars for every
me gained. He finally faid down his
,ards, pulled a roll of bills from q
,reast pocket, and counted out $500
Enat was his pile. III less than ten mril-
ites every dollar OF il hud been added to
,hs gamblers heap.
"Gentlemen, will you smoker asked
he gambler, as he turned around and
lreW his cigar case.
They knew his true character in spite
81 his disguise, and they refused.
1t am sorry tor my friend" he con-
;inued. biting at tie end Of cigar,
but you will agree that the play was
air"
The Georgian had paes out on tpe
deck. The gambler turned
70 his stack OF bills and was counting
,Aefil when there was q sharp eXclamst-
ion. the sounds of brief struggle, and
,he little woman with blue eyes and
chestnut curis entered the cabin. She
vas half undressed, q shawl thrown over
Ter shoulders. and she had revolver in
ler hand.
No one had seen her leave her staue.
room and cross the cabin. No one knew
Bhat her husband h;td the revolver IN his
ilnd as she softly came upon him. ''Go
oucKp' he whispered-"I am cunning in
y moment"
With swift motion she seized the
" Weapor, anu wrenclled it from his grasp,
and as she came down the cabin 10 the
liable, ut which the gambler sat, and
around whicn half u aozea men yet lin
gered, her blue eyes were full Of hre.
The gambler looked up.
The hammer OF the revolver came up
with u double click.
A white arm stretched out, and the
nuzzle Of the revolver looked straight
into the gamblers face. ]
He turned pale; the men fell back.
For halt minute the deep silence was
broken only by the faint splash Of the
"GoW she said.
lie rose up and reached for the money.
t.Leave it.' she whispered, making q
motion with the revolver,
He reueated back.
She followed.
Foot by foot he backed across the
cabin, the muzzle OF the revolver always
1n line with his face. lie backed
1hrough the door on to the promenade
deck, and the railing was there.
s.JumpW she whispered.
The boat was running along within
three hundred teet OF the shere Over
The rail to the water was terrible leap,
"You can have the moneye' he said.
s'JumpW she repeated.
81 will notl'
The arm came UP little, and the light
from the cabin showed him u cold.
strange, determined look on her face
He turned about, shiyered, and was over
the rail, leaping far out and unable to
suppress q cry OF alarm as ne lelt himself
going down.
The boat swept along, her arm fell,
anu re-entering the cabin, size sat down,
leaned her head on the table, and wept
The passengers said she was a
'sbrick."
Was she?
A Peculiar Suit for Damages