The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-07-08
A PLUCKY WIFE.
She Meets the Gambler who Won her Hus-
bands Money and n scene Ensues.


on the river, and among the passengers
bound for Vicksburg were Georgian
and his wife, who have relatives in Mis-
sissippi.
He was large-sized, handsome-look-
ing man, and she was q pleasant-looking
little woman, with blue eyes and short
chestnut curls. One would have said
that she would have screamed at q tilt
of the boat.
He sat smoking with other gentlemen
after she had retired to her stateroom,
and the cabin was entirely clear of ladies,
when some one proposeda game of cards.
In ten minutes after half dozen men
were shuffling cards over cabin tables,
and the Georgian was matched against
stranger to all on board. He was q
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 q
champion hand at poker, and when he
found that he had met his equal he de-
termined 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 river blackleg, but the other gen.
tlemen had dropped their cards and
crowded around, money was up, and
the information had come too late. Be-
sides, the Georgian was doing well
enough, and he fattered himself that
he could teach the courteous blackleg q
lesson. B.
1t was very quiet group around the
table. and after the play had continued
for fifteen minutes, the gentlemen spoke
i'll whispers, and some of them were re-
minded of old times Oh the Mississippi,
when gamblers had thSfull 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 each
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 500 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 general hand for
annueem ont, and thon tnrn in."
The (HnOrpian looked III, with n hya6
| glance, and replied:
" have lost $400 ; he must give me
fair show"
The play went on. The heap of green
backs at the gamblers right hand grew
won, but he lost ten dollars for every
one gained. He finally laid down his
cards, pulled roll of bills from n 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, as he turned around and
| drew his cigar case.
They knew his true character in spite
Of his disguise, and they refused.
81 am sorry for my FRIEND" he con-
tinued, 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 sharp exclama-
ton, the sound of brief struggle, and
the little woman with blue eyes and
chestnut curls entered the cabin. She
was half undressed, shawl thrown over
her shoulders, and she had a revolver in
her hand
No one had seen leave her stateroom
and cross the cabin. No one knew that
her husband had the revolver in his
hand as she softly came upon him. eco
back, he whispered, 81 a incoming in a
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 q dozen men yet lin
gered, 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 muzzle of the revolver looked straight
into the gamblers face. He turned
! pttiC tuS ulcH ltll btChs L OF lldll II
minute the deep silence was broken only
by the faint splash OF the paddle wheels.
"Go!" she said.
He looked into her flaming eyes as if
he could bluff her.
$50! !"
He rose up and reached for the money.
"Leave it !" she whispered, making O
threatening motion with the revolver.
He retreated back. She followed. Foot
by foot he backed across the cabin, the
puzzle of the revolver always on 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
three hundred feet of the shore. Oyel
the rail to the water was a terrible leap
"You can have the money!" he said
"Jump," she repeated.
81 will not.
The arm came up a little, and the ligh
from the cabin showed him a cold
strange, determined look on her face
He turned about, shivered, and was owe
the rail, leaping far out and unable t.
suppress a cry Of alarm as he felt himsel
going down. The boat swept along, he
arm fell, and re-entering the cabin sh
sat down, leaned her head ON the tabl
and wept bitterly. The passengers salt
she was "brick." Was she9