The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-06-26
WHERE DEATH TOOK A HAND.

AN oLD-TiME GAMBLING TRAGEDY.
But perhaps the most
soul-harrowing scene that ever took
place at gaming table transpired
at public house in Port-au Prince
some years ago. Several parties
were waiting about the room for the
game to commence. Among the
crowd of loiterers was a Captain ST.
Every, a noted gam ster, deadly duel
list and we'll known man Of pluck.
Some one spoke mp, "Who'll playT'
II will play" said the Captain Of a
French frigate which had just arrived
in the harbor, and, selling dice
box, threw to win or lose the amount
of a small sum of money that then
lay upon the table. He was ignorant
of the stake to be played.
"NIonsieur Commanant, you have
won," said CAPTAIN St. Every, push
ing towards him several piles Of
gold. - E
Astounded at the sight ofso much
wealth the Captain drew back, say
ing: Gentlemen, should be want
ing not only in common honesty but
even in good manners were to ap.
propriate the sums the winning Of
which l never expected in the least
degree, for l thought l was playing
for the trihing stake lying on the
table. cannot, therefore, take the
enormous sum as my own by right."
"Sir," said Captain St. Every,
"you must take it, for if you would
have lost you would have been
obliged to pay the same sum"
"You are mistaken, sir, II you
think so. I do not conceive my
honor endangered in reference to
paying debt Of honor which I new
er contracted, nor in refusing to
| n 80 : IL. ? d. 81. ~ Il -
accept Of so large sum which !
never expected to VIM
"M nsieur lie Comma.dant,"
shrleked Captain St. Every, raising
his voice to the highest pitch, eli
you had lost you should have paid.
| would have made you do so.''
This was fire to the gunpowder,
intended to provoke challenge, and
it accomplished its purpose.
Sir said Captain st. Every, ~
don't wish to take any. advantage Of
you, which my acknowledged ability
in the use of the sword and the pis.
toll gives me, SO offer you terms Of
equality" . + ~
Bring a pistol here at once, load
t it, aud the chance Of the dice shall
determine which shall blow cacl
others brains OUT -
agreed" said the nothing daunt
ed frigate commander. "5s
A shock of horror ran through the
veins of the assembled crowd at Til,
barbarity Of the blood-curdling affair
Some shrank from the room; others
more hardened in sights of horror
crowded near the gaming table, per
fectly cognizant Of the desperat,
character Of St. Every and inwardly
landing the bravery Of the unknown
Each party examined the pistols
The naval captain first threw tn
fatal dice.
/ He threw eleven.
4 "a good throw said st. Every
holding for a momont his own; 9TH
chances are now in your favor, Blu
listen. If it turns out as it appear
to me it will, that fortune favors yol
and not me, / wish neither mercy Q
pity, as | should think either a COW
ard who would spare the other" 7
"Sir, | need your impertinent re
monstrances to back me neither no,
nor at any time" replied til
commandant.
St. Every took tho box and tire
: fifteen. zEHj it&t I
The company were paralyzed wit
. horror.
Monsieur lie Commandant aros
"Your life belongs to me, sir,
said St. Every, throwing down IL
dies on the table.
A "Fire, sir,'' said the commander
:. placing his hand on his heart, g,
honest man is never afraid to-
. st. Every,s ball scattered Il
. : brains and blood Of the unlucl
= commandment over the clothes 81
persons of the bystanders, as i
lifeless body fell to the salon do'
:. St. Every deserted to the Englis
: 80 =