Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-08-03
WHERE DEATH TOOK A HAND.
An Old-time Gambling Tragedy.
from the Cincinnati Commercial.l

But perhaps the most soul-harrow-
ing scene that eve took place at A
gambling table t~ranspired at n public
house in Port au Prince some years
ago. several parties were waiting
about The room for the game to COM
mrnce. Among the crowd OF loifef-
rr- was a C-ptain St. Every, u noted
game-rer, deadly dueilist and we'll
known mai of pluck. al
some one spoke up. Who'll play
Il will play" said the Captain of a
French frigate which had just arrived
III the harbor. aud seIzing adice-boX,
threw to win or lose the amount OF
a small ,um OF none that the" lay
upon the table. He was ignorant OF
the stake to be played.
"Momsieur C~ommamdant. you have
won," said Captain St. Every, push
ING toward him several piles ofgoiu.
Asrnunded at the sight OF So much
wealth the captain drew back. say
ing, "Gentiemen, | should be want
M not only IN honesty out
even III good manners were L To ap-
propriair the sums the winning Oh
which | never expected IN the least de-
cree, for | thought | was playing for
he Irifling stake lying on the table.
cannot, therefore, take the enor-
nous -um As my own by right
Sir" said Captain st. Every,
YOU must take it, or If you "a
lost you would have been obliS-
cal to pay the same sum-
you are mistaken, sir, if you
think so. | do not conceive my
honor endangered i'll reference to
paving debt Of honor which | never
contracted, nor III refusing TO accept
OF 50 large a sum which L neve eX-
pectcd 10 win.'
Monsieur lie Commandment, -
shrieked Captain ST. Every, raising
his voice to the highes: pitch, "if you
had lost you should have paid. ]
would have made you do so"
This was fire to the gunpowder
, INTENDED to provoke a challenge, aud
, II accomplished its purpose.
Sir" said Captain st. Every, 81
don't wish to take Any advantage Of
L you, which my acknowledged abilit,
in the use of the sword and pistO
gives me, 30 | offer you terms o
equality"
Bring a pistol here at once, Loaf
II it, and tie hancc of the dice shal
II determine which shall blow til,
Il others brains out"
e Agreed" said the nothing daunt
y ed frigate commandant.
a shock OF horror ran through tn
Il veins of the assembled crowd at tn
barbarity of the blsod-curdling affair
II Some shrank from the room; Others
Il more hardened in sights OF horror
q crowded near the game table, per
}, tectly cognizsnt of the desperat
l. character of st. Every and inward
j. laudin2 the bravery of The unknown
j.. Each party examined the pistols
,e The naval captain first threw tn
u fatal dice.
N He threw eleven.
IN "A good throw said ST. Ever,
n holding for a moment his own; '.tf
re chances are nov in your favor, bt
It.: listen. lit turns out as it appear
7e to me 1T will, that fortune avors W
e. aud not me, | wish neither mere
u. nor pity, as | should think either
re coward who would spare the other
ne Sir, | need your impertinent r
ri monstramccs to back me neither no
nor at any time" replied the con
a. mandant.
10 81. Every took the box and thre
IL fifteen.
y. The company were paralyzed vii
is horror.
IL Nj. lie Commandant arose. "Yo,
is lite belongs to me, sir" said :
p Every, throwing down the dice {
al the table.
he "Fire, sir" said the commandau
so placing his hand on his heart, -,
tn honest man is never afraid tn"--
ST Every's ball scattered the brai
IT. and blood of the uulucky cumm
l: dant, over the clothes and persons
" the ~bystanhers, as his llfeless bot
gh fell to the salon floor.
70 ST. Every dcserted to the Englis
- and soon after fell mnrtally wound
~, at the battle of lrois as the EngIi
ST. were carrying the day.