The Osceola times., 1876-01-29
THE FATAL CARD.
A Tragic story OF Early Times on the
Mississippi.

MISSISSIPPI.
Some years ago the Mississippi rive
was famous for its floating palaces, as tn,
large steamers plying between new Or
leans and the ports above were called
Now the railroads have driven nearly al
the fine boats off the river, and left thu
field to the freight boats, whose accom-
mddations for passengers are by no mean
palatial. The former class of steamer
were in many respects delightful, bu
they never ceased to be the objects o
dread 10 timid people, for If the racing
which on that stream was reduced TO q
system, did not result In the loss Of the
boat, there was sure TO be one or more
encounters between the more lawless
portion of the travellers, in which pistol
bullets would fly rather too thick for the
comfort of steady going people. The
cause for such disturbances was gener.
ally quarrel over the gambling table.
The regulations Of the boats usually re
quired that all such amusements should
be conducted in saloon provided for
that purpose in the officers cabin, stu
atcd on the hurricane deck, but the sport
ing gentlemen were by no means careful
ito observe this rule, and the gaming was
mostly carried on at the dining table, in
the main saloon on the steameT, to the
annoyance Of two-thirds on board. Many
professional gamblers used to make these
boats their home, travelling back and
forth with them, fleeing all who were
foolish and verdant enough to fall into
their hands. So well, indeed, was the
system managed, that the various mem
hers seemed to have their different
steamers marked out for them by com
mon consent, 40 that no one would tres
pass upon the domain of the other. Oh
courYe these men were warm friends OF
the officers Of the boat, who were either
too sincere in thei Friendship TO put a stop
TO the practice, or too much afraid of the
gamblers to care to provoke a quarrel
with them, for in those days it was COM
mon affair for such men to resent any
fsncied insult with a pistol shot. One
Of the most remarkable men Of this class
was named Daniel Sturdivant, French.
man, the son of a broken down scion Of
nobility, who had settled in New Or
leans before the transfer of Louisiana to
raised a gentleman by his aristocratic
father, but on coming Of age, and finding
his fortunes very,bad, had taken to cards as
a.means To better them. His success in
this field was 50 great that he was in
duced to continue it, until at the time OF
which write he was one of the most no
torious gamblers between st. Louis and
New Orleans. He was man of fine per
sonal appearance, and of great physical
strength and was also noted for his per
senal courage and as gambler he was
most expert and successful. There were
dark stories of deeds which he had COM
mitted while under the influence of play
and liquor, and it was said by some that
he had killed half dozen men in his life.
time. No one dared TO speak Of these
stories openly, for no one cared to bring
upon himself the anger of such man.
There were few who knew him that really
cared to play against him, but they
learned that refusal TO do 80 might in
volve them in quarrel with him, and
rarely declined an invitation. About
twenty. years ago, the time of which !
write, he had attached himself to one of
the magnificent steamers plying between
New Orleans and Vicksburg, and had
publicly announced his determination
to shoot any man who encroached upon
his scene of operation. OF course, this
left him, in undisputed possession of the
field, and he reaped golden harvest
during the brief nine years he conducted
his operations there.
IL vrap $40, lot nd tLa, t;,,a 40 L., .,,,,
PEELED to make frequent trips between
New Orleans and Vicksburg, and | pre-
ferred the steamer of which Sturdivant
had taken possession, inasmuch as it was
not only the most comfortable, but also
the swiftest, and time was of the utmost
importance to me. 1t was known that
at times | carried large sums of money,
and was always apprehensive lest Stur-
diyant should ask me TO play. I had
made up my mind TO refuse him, and if
he attempted to draw me into a quarrel,
to shoot him without mercy, as I knew
that the only chance of my life lay in
getting the advantage of him. Strange
to say, he did not make any such propo-
sition to me, and gave him no chance
to do NJ. One night we had started out
from Vicksburg, and were heading mer-
rily down the river when Sturdivant
came to the group which had gathered
around the stove. He had been drinking,
and was smoking fine cigar as he APP
preached. All made way for him. "Well,
gentlemen" he said in an unsteady tone,
you seem TO be terribly dull, who wants
10 play for twenty dollars ante ?" There
was no reply all present seemed to know
the man, and no one volunteered to place
himself in his clutches. "Umph !" he
exclaimed with an expression of con
tempt, "afraid to try your luck with
Daniel Sturdivant, eh! Or may he you
want little coaxing; some Of you mus
play with me; cant stand such treat
ment. Come, let's see who it shall be.
He glanced around the crowd NJ il {,
select his victim, and for the first time
noticed the gaze Of one Of the group fixe,
stea dily upon him. He was strange
TO 90 and was dressed in plain homespun
and his face was partially concealed by
broa d brimmed sombrero which wa
draw down over it. He was small bu
powerfully made man, and in the decide,
expression Of his well shaped head rea,
an unusual firmness and intensity O
purpose.
care -ou Daniel Sturdivant, the gam
bier ~ ne asked in calm tone, withou
rising. Sturdivant flushed darkly, an,
gave the stranger dark glance. ''Som
rrsons call me 80 behind my back" h
said insolcntly, "but 40 one would car
to apply that term to me before my face.
Nevertheless" said the stranger quietly
'I want an'answer--yes or no." "Well