The Osceola times., 1876-01-29

YOU claim to he the best card player in
the Southwest, and have come two hun
dred miles TO prove you liar.
"Sturdivant strobe forward step or
two, and thrust his hand into his breast
as if TO grasp weapon. ,..
"Stop," said the stranger; II you
shoot me you will simply prove yourself
afraid of me. Take your seat at the Ia
BILE 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 hesi-
tated n moment, and then said bully
ingly, "I never play with man whose
face | cannot see."
"Neyer mind my face, " said the s.ran-
Ger. "if YOU are not afraid of losing you
shall zee il when am done with you" 7"
(" But how do ] know that you have
money fol- such sport persisted otur-
divant; "you look seedy enough, my fine
fellow"
"There," said the stranger, 81 have
ten thousand dollars there; if you can
win it you shall do 50. y 49,.
With an oath Sturdivant placed him
self at the table and bade his challenger
TO do likewise. Those of US who had lis
tened to this singular dialogue, now
gathered around the table, expecting to
see a scene of more than usual interest.
The stranger rad not raised his hat brim,
and none of us had seen his face but
weall felt from his general air and man
ner that Daniel Sturdivant had at last
met his match. II did not take long TO
show US that the stranger wasan unusually
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 ex'
erted himself AS he had never before,
but in spite Of all his efforts he lost
heavily, and by the expiration of the
time mentioned above he had lost about
two thousand dollars. noticed the
flush upon his cheek deepened, a strange
light come into his eyes, and at last with
an exclamation Of triumph he drew to-
wards him the heap of notes. THAT
was well DONE" said the stranger; you
are an expert at cheating, but 60 on,
can beat you whether you play openly or
dishonesty"
Sturdivant said nothing, but dealt the
cards again. The hand was played and
Sturdivant was about to seize the stakes
again, when the stranger laid down a
card and checked him.
The gambler uttered sharp cry and
sat motionless with his eyes fixed on the
card, worn and faded ace of hearts,
with dark stain across the face. Stur-
diyant's face worked convulsively as he
gazed at it, and the spectators gathered
more closely around the two, wondering
at the strange scene.
"In Gods name, who are you " asked
Sturdivant, with his eyes still fixed on
the card.
"I.ook at me-" said the stranger,
quietly, and as If powerless to resist,
Sturdiyant raised his eyes 10 the speaker.
The stranger had raised his hat and sat
looking at the trembling man with eyes
that fairly blazed 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
his bosom.
"Tbe ace of hearts is an unlucky card
for you, Daniel Sturdivant," he said
coolly. You played it once when you
thought it to your advantage. Now,
God help you for that play is ended.
As he spoke he raised a pistol which
we had not seen, and before we could
stop him, aimed it deliberately at the
trembling man and fired. The gambler
fell heavily upon the table corpse; and
the bright blood streamed over it, hiding
the fatal card from sight.
Gentlemen" said the stranger, rising
to his feet as we stood paralyzed with
horror at the dreadful scene, that man
ruined my wife and tried to murder me.
| have been hunting him ten years.
He walked slowly by us down the stair
way to the lower deck, and just then the
steamer touched at Il landing, he sprang
ashore and vanished in the dark woods.
never learned the history of the
mysterious affair, for the dead gambler
was beyond questioning, and ] never saw
the stranger again; but shall not forget
the impression made upon me at that
time.