Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-07-04
Gambling for Human Life.


Port au Prince some years ago.
Several parties were waiting a
bout the room for the game to
commence. Among the crowd
of loiterers was a Captain St.
Every, noted gamester, deadly
duelist and wcll-known man Of
pluck. -.
Some asked, "Who'll play?'
~ WILL" said the Captain of the
French frigate, which had just
arrived in the harbor, and seiz-
ing a 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 that was to be played.
"Monsieur Commandant, you
have won," said Captain St. Ev-
cry, pushing toward him sever
al piles Of gold.
Astonished at the sight of
so much wealth the Captain
drew back in astonishment and
said: Gentlemen, | should be
wanting not only in common
honesty, but even in good man
ners, were | to appropriate the
sums, the winning of which |
never expected in the least de-
gree, for | thought [ was play
ing for the trifling stake upon
the table. | cannot, therefore,
take this enormous sum as my
own by right
"Sir," said Captain Every,
"you must take it, for if you had
lost you would have been OBJ
liged to pay the same sum"
"You are mistaken, sir, if you
think so. | do not conceive my
honor endangered in reference
to paying a debt of honor which
| never contracted, nor in rcfu-
sing to accept of so large a sum
which 1 never expected to win."
"Monsieur lie Commandant,"
shrieked Captain ST. Every, ,rais-
ing his voice to its highest pitch:
"if you had lost you should
have paid. l would have made
you do So"
This was fire to.the gunpow-
der, intended to provoke a chal-
lenge, and it accomplished its
purpose. "Sir," said Captain
St. Every, II don't wish to take
any advantage of you which my
acknowledged ability in the use
of the sword and pistol give me,
so 1 offer you terms ofequality."
Bring us. a pistol here at
once, load it, and the chance of
dice will determine which shall
blow the others brains out"
agreed" said the nothing
daunted frigate commandant.
A shock of horror ran through
the veins ofthe assembled crowd
at the barbarity of the Blood
curdling affair. Some got out of
the room; others, more harden
ed in the sights of horror, crowd
ed nearer the. gaming-table, per-
fectly cognizant of the desper-
ate character Of ST. Every, and
inwardly lauding the bravery
of the unknown.
Each examined the pistol.
The naval Captain first threw
the fatal dice.
He threw eleven. ~
GA good throw" said St. Ev-
cry, holding for moment his
own; "the chances are now in
your favor, but listen, if it turns
out as it appears to me that 1t
will, that fortune fayors you
and not me, I wish neither
mercy nor pity, as Think either
a coward who would spare the
other"
"Sir, I need not your imperti-
nent remonstrances to back me
now or at any other time," re-
piled the commandant.
St. Every took the box and
threw fifteen.
The company were paralyzed
with horror.
Monsieur lie Commandant a
rose. "Your life belongs to me,
sir" said st. Every, throwing
down the dice on the table.
"Fire, sir" said the Comman-
dant, placing his hand on his
heart, Gan honest 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-standers,
as his lifeless body fell to the sa-
loon floor.
St. Every deserted to the
English and soon fell mortally
wounded at the battle of Irois
as the English were carrying
the day.
Lew Wong, Chinese murderer
recently hanged 10 California,
,o,,4 Co. a oiarryrnpu In order TO