Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-26

l.
around the stove. He had been drink
ing and was smoking fine cigar. AS
he approached all made way for him.
swell, gentlemen" he said, in an un-
steady tone, ''you seem to be terrible
dull. Who wants to pay for $40 ante9"
/ There was no reply.
"Umphp he exclaimed with an ex-
preston of contempt, "afraid to try your
luck against Dan Sturdivant, eh2 Or
maybe you want little coaxing. Some
/ of you must play with me. can't stand
such treatment. Come, let's see who it
will be-"
He glanced around the crowd as if 20
select bis victim. For the first time l
noticed the gaze of one of the group fixed
steadily upon him. He was a stranger
to me, and was dressed in plain suit of
| homespun, and his face was partially
concealed v wide brimmed sombrero
which were drawn over it. He was a
small but powerfully made man, and in
the decided expression of his well shaped
hand read an unsual frmness and in
tensity of purpose.
"Are you Daniel Sturdivant, the gam
bler?" he asked in calm tone, without
rising.
Sturdivant flushed darkly and gave
the stranger fierce glance.
'Some persons call me so, behind my
back, he said, iAsolently, "but DO one
woul2 dare TO apply that term to me be-
fore my face"
Nevertheless" said the stranger, Il
want an answer-yes or no."
swell. then" said the gam bier, angrily,
II am. What of it?"
"Simply this" replied the stranger, 81
have heard it said that you claim to be
the best card player in the southwest.
have come two hundred miles to prove
you liar. 80
| Sturdivaut strobe forward step or two
and thrust his hand into his breast as if
to grasp weapon.
STOP" said the stranger, IF you shoot
me, you will simply prove yourself afraid
of me. Take your seat at the table, and
I will make my word good"
There was something in the calm, stern
manner of the stranger that seemed to
render the gambler powerless. He hest
! tated for q moment and then said, bully
ingly: .... ......- ....-
Il never play with man whose face 1
cannot see."
"Never mind my face" said the strang.
er. IF you are not afraid of losing, you
shall see it when am done with you"
"But how do l know you have money
enough for such sport2" persisted Sturdi-
want. "You look seedy enough, my fine
fellow"
"There," said the stranger, producing
large pocket-book 81 have $4,000
there; if you can win it, you shall dc
so.r
With an oath Sturdivant placed him
self at the table and bade his challenger
do likewise. Those of US who had lis
tened to this singular dialogue now gath.
erd around the table expecting to see 8
scene of more than usual interest. The
stranger had not yet raised his hat brim
and none of us had seen his face, but we
all felt from his general air and manner
, that Daniel Sturdivant had at last met his
match. 1t did not take long to show
that the stranger was an unusually gooC
player, For an hour OF more the play
/ ing went on in silence. The stakes were
high and the contest marked with rare
skill. Sturdivant exerted himself as he
} had never done before, but in spite of bis
efforts he lost steadily. By the expira
ton of the time indicated above he had
lost $4,000. / noticed the flush upon his
face deepen, and strange light came in
to his eyes, at last with an exclamation Of
, triumph, he drew toward him the heaI
of notes.
"That was we'll done," said the stranger
, | OF ohnakiDrr Dr.
on, can beat you whether you play
: openly or dishonesty"
, Sturdivant said nothing but dealt the
t cards again. The hand was played and
, Sturdivant was about to seize the stakes
} when the stranger laid down card and
/ checked him. The gambler uttered 8
, sharp CRY and sat motionless with his
eyes fixed on the card, worn and faded
} ace of hearts with a dark red stain across
} the face. Sturo.vant's face worked con-
: vulsively as he gazed at it and the spec.
! tators gathered more closely around the
| two, wondering at the strange scene.
Tin Gods name who are you2" gasped
Sturdivant, his eyes still fixed on the
, card.
! Look at me-" said the stranger qui
1 city.
: As if powerless to resist, Sturdivan
t raised his eyes to the speaker. Th,
s stranger had raised his hat and sat look
f ing at the trembling man with eyes tina
fairly blazed with fury. Sturdivant ut
: tered groan and sank back in his chair
with his face white and ,igid. TIL.
I stranger with one sweep gathered up thu
G money from the table and thrust it int,
e his breast.
" "That ace of hearts is an unlucky Car
for you, Daniel Sturdivant," he said
D boldly. "You played it2once when vol
3 thought it to your advantage. Now Got
e help you, for that play is returnedm
s As he spoke he raised pistol whicl
s we had not seen, and before we coulc
: stop him, AIMED it deliberately at tn
trembling man and fred. The gamble
D fell heavily upon the table corpse, ant
: the bright blood streamed over it, hidin,
d the fatal card from sight
"Gentlemen," said the stranger, ris.n,
d to his feet, as we stood paTalyzed wit
e horror at the dreadful scene, ''that mai
# ruined my wife and tried to murder me
v I have been hunting for him ten years
!, He walked slowly by us down the stair
t way to the lower deck. Just then tn
. steamer touched at landing and h
sprang ashore and vanished in the dar
Il woods.
never learned the history of the snys
g terious affair, for the dead gambler wa
d beyond human questioning, and neve
= saw the stranger again; but | shall nc
0 soon forget the impression it made rpo
J. me at the time. D SIS