The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-07-10
Gambling for Human Life.


narrowing scene that ever took place at
gaming table, says the Cincinnati
Commercial, transpiIed at public
house in Port au Prince some years ago
Several parties we're waiting about the
room for the game to commence. Among
the crowd of loiterers was a Captain st.
Every, noted gamester, deadly duelist
and well-knOwn man of pluck.
Some one spoke up, Who'll play ?"
"I will, ;" said the captain of French
frigate, which had just arrived in the
harbor, and seizing dice-box threw to
win or lose the amount of small sum
of money that then lay upon the table.
He was ignorant of the stake to be
played. -. ~.
Monsieur commandant, you have
won" said Captain st. Every, pushing
toward him several piles of gold.
Astounddd at the sight Il SO much
wealth the captain drew back, saying:
Gentlemen, 1 should be wanting not
only in common honesty, but even in
good manners, were to appropriate the
sums, the winning of which 1 never ex-
pected in the least degree, for thought
l was playing for the trifing stake lying
on the table. cannot, therefore, take
the enormous sum as my own by right, I"
"Sir, said Captain st. Every, "you
must take it, for if you had lost you
would have been obliged to pay the same
sum-"
"You are mistaken, sir, if you think
so. l do not conceive my honor en-.
dangered in reference to paying debt
of honor which l never contracted, nor
in refusing to accept of so large sum
which never expected to win"
Monsieur le commandant, shrieked
Captain st. Every, raising his voice to
the highest pitch, "if you had lost you
should have paid. would have made
you do So"
This was fire to the gunpowder, in
tended to provoke challenge, and it
accomplished its purpose. Sir" said
Captain st. Every, 81 don't wish to
take any advantage of you, which my
acknowledged ability in the use of the
sword and pistol gives me, so I offer
you terms of equality"
Bring pistol here at once, load it,
and the chance of the dice shall deter
mine which shall blow the others brains
out"
"Agreed," said the nothing daunted
frigate commandant.
A shock of horror ran through the
veins OF the assembled crowd at the
barbarity of the blood-curdling affair.
Some shrank from the room, others,
more hardened in the sights of horror,
crowded near the gaming table perfectly
cognizant of the desperate character OF
st. Every and inwardly lauding the
bravery of the unknown.
Each party examined the pistols. The
naval captain first threw the fatal dice.
He threw eleven.
CA good throw" said st. Every, hold-
ing for moment his own 18th,
chances are now in your favor, but
listen, if it turns out as it appears to me
it will, that fortune favors you and not
me, wish neither mercy or pity, as l
would think either a coward who
WouId SPARE the other. "
"Sir, 1 need your impertinent re-
monstrances to back me neither now nor
at any other time" replied the com
mandant.
St. Every took the boz and threw
fifteen.
The company were paralyzed with
horror. ...
Monsieur lie commandant arose.
Your life belongs to me, SIR" said St
Every throwing down the dice on the
table.
"Fire, sir" said the commandant,
placing his hand on his heart, "an hon
est man is never afraid to"
st. Every's ball scattered the brains
and blood of the unlucky commandant
over the clothes and persons of the by
ISLANDERS, as his lifeless body fell to the
saloon floor.
st. Every deserted to the English, and
soon after fell mortally wounded at the
battle Of Irois as the English were
carrying the day.