The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-08-30

first time he sat down with them, when
the game was over he was the winner to
the extent of twenty or thirty dollars, even
at the small stakes at which they had mu;
tually risked upon the game. He seemed
to be one Of the most uns0phisticated per-
sons / ever saw, and even took up his
winnings with some hesitation. The
gamblers knew very we'll what they were
about; they saw profitable customer in
this young and unsuspeeting person.
I was anxious about the young man. I
had not yet spoken to him. Somehow he
was so retiring and yet so quietly dignified
in his manner that one would hesitate to
speak to him abruptly, or without . man
ifest excuse for doing 60. After he had
closed this first game saw him resume
his book at the old seat near the how of
the boat, and he was soon evidently deeply
interested in the pages before him. Ibid
| not fail to observe the sinister smile which
the three gamblers interchanged with each
other.
The Impotence I experienced in de-
sire to warn this young man against those
professional rogues fairly made me nerv.
GUS. Exactly how to do this did not
know, but do it resolved 1 would, sooner
OF later, before another day should have
passed. could only watch for an oppor.
tunity, trusting that some chance would
favor my design. failed in my object
that night. but had il so much at heart
to save the trusting youth from these
sharpers that actually dreamed about the
matter half the night.
Though l rose quite early on the follow
ing morning found the young man at
his post, that is, near the bow of the boat
Il ots1As rrnI vpSf
Now is my time, thought, and so ap.
preached him, saying:
"a pleasant morning."
Remarkably so" he replied, in quiet,
pleasant voice, adding, the mist fades
away rapidly before the early glances of
the SUM-"
Do you 60 far northf"
"Only to Cairo" he replied, looking me
full in the face with his clear, handsome
eye.
could not but compare him at that
moment, with his remarkably handsome
| features, clear complexion and neat ap-
pearance generally, with the hard.visaged,
calloused and fast looking men whom. l
had seen him playing cards with so late
| ly. They bore upon their cOuntenances
the stamp of professional rOgues, while he
was almost girlish in his apparent limo
cence.
"You play cards, I believe" said l
opening the subject which I resolved to
speak to him about.
"Sometimes," he replied, looking rath-
er sharply at me. But why do you ask ~
Excuse the liberty"
Certainly"
swell, observed that you sat down
with those fellows yesterday, who have
managed to clean out everybody they have
played with since we left New Orleans. -
"Indeedv'
Eyes, and in one or two instances, un.
less am greatly mistaken, the loss has
been very serious to the victims"
suppose they take the chances"
Undoubtedly; but these professional
players always have the advantage, and
are sure to win in the end. either by fair
means or by foul. Don't you think 50 ~
We'll, yes. I suppose you are right. "
"For my part" continued, II am
careful to avoid such persons. They are
sure to get all my money"
| You are very right, and one ought to
be cautions, as you say, in dealing with
such people,
As he said this he quietly resumed his
book, and thus put an end to the CONVEX.
sation.
did not feel exactly satisfied with the
result of my brief interview, but con-
cluded that at all events he had got hint
of what he might expect if he continued
to play cards with that trio of sharpers.
felt sense of relief at having done what
l conceived to be my duty. There was,
as said before, sort of fascination in
his youth and remarkably handsome face
which drew me toward the young man,
and watched him closely during the day.
In the afternoon was seriously disap-
pointed to see him again seated ut the
card table with the same set of whom
had spoken SO decidedly to him in the
early morning.
drew toward the table and looked on
at the game. l knew it we'll enough to
understand what was being done, and il
only required half an eye of an outside oh.
server to detect the most glazing acts of
cheating on the part of the three confede
rates. Still the young man did not seem
to observe their game; he was either very
obtuse or very Indifferent. While the
three men exchanged intelligent glsnces
with each other and won his money rap
/ idly, he kept his eyes upon his cards, and
studied their possible combinations.
felt positively enraged to see this down.
right swindling, and was angry with tbs
young man, that, after he had been so
plainly cautioned. he permitted these men
to cheat him out of his money, with
scarcely an effort to protect himself. Once
or twice, however, he did surprise them
by promptly taking advantage Of q chance
offering in the game, and, by adopting q
shrewd play, he won their money and
gathered the hank bills quietly to his own
side. On these occasions the men looked
somewhat surprised at his shrewdness
which was at variance with his usual man.
ner Of playing.
carefully watched the play throughout
and when the young man got up from the
table he had evidently lost large sum
which, however, did not seem to disc0n
cert him very much. He must either have
plenty of money to throw ava. J, or else he
yet hopes to win back his money before We
arrive at Cairo. But he is playing with
fire and will burn his fingers.
At midnight that night, Willie most Of
the passengers were asleep, there arose thu
startling cry of fire!
Every one hurried ON his clothes ani
rushed cut of his stateroom, until quite Z
panic ensued. A fire had broken ou
| 6mOUK CO0 CUSCOu U61CS Ou tI10 1IClku
deck, and it babe fair 10 envelop the boa
in flames before it could be extinguished
There was the usual CONSERVATION ant
excitement among the passengers, and
especially with the women and children
though, Is Is always the case, there wer'
some notable executions.
| particularly observed the young MAJ
of whom I have spoken. He was COO
). and reaOlute. and heading \ marty of thu
passengers whom he had organized, and
supplied with buckets, he directed thei
efforts to such good purpose that he hal
succeeded In checking the fire almost en-
tirely at the particular point where he hat
attacked it. He was aperson who scenes
hardly calculated to meet IN emergenc,
of this character, but in fact he proved i
be the most efficient Of al the passenger
on this occasion.
/ A few hours served to put matters ono
more 70 rights. The crew were detaile'
on extra service, and even the evidence
OF the IRE were rapidly 0bliterated. tn
HS<~~h ~