Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-04-14

heading down the river, when Sturdi-
want came to the group which was gath
cred around the stove. He had been
drinking, and was smoking fine cigar
as he approached. All made way for
him. well, gentlemen" he said in
an unsteady tone you seem to be terri
bly, dull, who wants to play for twenty
dollars ante 2 There was no reply and
no one volunteered to place himself in
his clutches. "Umph y he exclaimed,
with an expression of contempt, afraid
to try your luck with Daniel Sturdivant,
eh +? Or maybe you want little coaxing
| cant stand such treatment Come
let's see who it shall be-" He glanced
around the crowd as if to select his vic
tim, and, for the first time, | noticed
the gaze of one of the group fixed steadi-
ly upon him. He was a stranger to me,
and was dressed in plain homcspun, and
his face was partially concealed by
broad brimmed sombrero, which was
drawn down over it. He was small
but powerfully made man, and in the
decided expression of his well shaped
head | read an unusual 6rmness and in
tensity of purpose.
"Are you Daniel Sturdivant, the
gambler p he asked in a calm tone,
without rising Sturdivant flushed dark
ly, and gave the stranger dark glance
"Some persons call me so behind my
back, " he said insolently "but no one
would dare to apply that term to me be-
fore my face" Nevertheless" said
the stranger quietly. ~ want an answer
yes, or no" "Wcll, then | am,
said the gambler angrily; what of it 2,
Simply this" replied the stranger, II
have heard it said that you claim to be
the best cardplayer in the Southwest,
and | have come two hundred miles to
prove you liar"
Sturdivant strobe forward step or
two, and thrust his hand into his breast
as to draw weapon.
Stop, said the stranger; if you
shoot me you will simply prove yourself
afraid of me. Take your seat at the
table, and | will make my words good :"
There was something in the calm, stern
manner of the stranger that seemed to
render the gambler powerless He hest
tated a moment, and then said, bully
ingly, II never play with man whose
face | cannot see"
Never mind my face said the
stranger, "if you amt afraid of losing,
you shall see it when am done
with you"
But how do I know that you have
money for such sport ?" persisted Stur-
divant; you look soedy enough, my
fine fellow"
There" said the stranger, Il have
ten thousand dollars there; If you can
win it. you shall do 500
With an oath Sturdivant placed him
self at the table, and babe his challenger
to do likewise. Those of us who had
listened to this singular dialogue, now
gathered around the table, expecting to
see game of more than usual interest. -
The stranger had not raised his hat brip,
and none of us had seen his face but
we all felt from his general air and man
ner that Daniel Sturdivant had at last
met his match 1t did not take long to
show us that the stranger was an unsual
good player, and for an hour or more the
playing went on in silence. The stakes
were high and the contest was marked
with rare skill Sturdivant exerted him
self as he had never done before, but in
spite Of all his efforts he lost heavily,
and by the expiration of the time men
toned above, he had lost about two
thousand dollars. ] noticed the flush
upon his face deepencd, strange light |
came into his eyes, and at last, with an
exclamation Of triumph, he drew toward |
him the heap of notes. ''That was well |
done, said the stranger; ''you are an
expert at cheating, but go on, can beat
you whether you play openly or dis
honestly"
Sturdivant said nothing, but dealt the
cards again. The hand was played and
Sturdlvant was about to sicze the stakes
again, when the stranger laid down a
card and checked him.
The gambler uttered sharp cry and
sat notionless, with his eyes fixed on the
card, a worn and faded ace of hearts,
with dark stain across the face Stur-
divant's face worked convulsvely as he
gazed at it, and the spectators gathered
more closely around the two, wondering
at the strange scene.
g In Gods name, who are you ?" asked
Sturdivant, with his eyes still fixed on
the card.
g Look at me, " said the stranger, quiz
etly And ms If nowerloss IN rosist
Sturdivant raised his eyes to the speaker
The stranger had raised his hat and sat
looking at the trembling man, with eyes
that fairly blazcd with fury. Sturdivant
uttered groan and sank back in his
chair, with his face white and rigid. The
stranger with one sweep gathered the
money from the table and thrust it into
hio bosom
The ace Of hearts is an unlucky card
for you, Daniel Sturdiyant," he said,
coolly. ''You played it once when you
thought it to your advantage. Now,
God help you; for that play is ended"
As be spoke he raised pistol which
We had not seen, and, before we could
stop him, aimed deliberately at the trem-
bling man and fired The gambler fell I
heavily upon the table corpse and the
bright blood streamed over it, hiding the
atal card from sight.
"Gentlemen," said the stranger, ris-
ng TO his feet, as we stood paralyzed
With horror at the dreadful scene, THAT
nan ruined my wife and tried to murder
ne | have been hunting him ten wears 4"