Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1878-09-26

dlVant came up To the group WHICH |
had gathered around the stove. He
had been drinking, and was smok-
ing fine cigar rs he approached.
All made way for him.
"Well, gentlemen" he said, in an
unsteady tone, "you seem to be ter
rible dull. Who wants to play for
so ante %
There was no reply. All present
seemed to know the man, and no
one cared to volunteer to place him
self in his clutches.
"Umph !" he exclaimed with an
expression of contempt, "afraid to
try Your luck against Dan Sturdi-
want, ell Or maybe you want a
little coaXing. Some Jf 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 to select his victim. For the first
time | noticed tie gaze of one of the
group fixed steadily upon him. He
was stranger to me, and was
dressed in plain suit of homeSpun,
and his face was partially concealed
by wide-brimmed sombrero, which
was drawn over it. lie was small,
but powerfully made man, and IN
the decided expression of his we'll
shaped face | read an unusual
firmneSs and intensity of purpose.
Are you Daniel Sturdivant, the
gambler 2" he asked in calm tone,
without rising.
S,urdiyant flashed darkly, and
gave the stranger a fierce glance.
"Some persons call NE so be hind
my back" he said insolently ; ''but |
no one would dare apply that term
to ME before my face"
Nevertheless, =" said the stranger,
II want an answer-yes orno."
"Well, then," said the gambler
angrily, 81 am. What of it 2"
"SImply this" replied the strang-
er, 81 have heard it said that you
claim to be the best card player in
the Southwest. l have come two
hundred miles to prove you a liar"
Sturdivant strode forward a step
or two and thrust his hand into his
breast as if to grasp weapon.
STOP" said the stranger, eff you
shoot me, You will simply prove
yourself afraid of me. You take
your seat at the table, and l will
make my word good"
There was something in the calm,
stern manner Of the stranger that
seemed to render the gambler pow
erless. He hesitatei for a moment,
and then said, bullingly:
81 never play with Il man whose
face cannot see."
''Neyer mind my face" said the
stranger. ''If you are not afraid of
tvostng you shall scc it when L am
done with you"
''BuL how do I know you have
money enough for such sport ?''
p-esisted Stuydivant. ''You look
seedy enough, my fine fellow"
There, " said the strange, pro.
ducing large pocket book. Il
haYe ten thousand there if you
can win it you shall do so.''
With on oath, Sturdivant placed
himself at the table and babe his
do likewise. Those of us
who had listened to this Singular
dialogue, now gathered around the
table, expecting to see a scene OF
more than usual interest. The
stranger had not yet raised his hat
Drim, and none of US had seen his
face, but we all felt, from his gen.
eral ali and manner, that Dan Stur-
llivant had at last met his match.
1t did not take long to show that
the stranger was an unusual good J.
player. For an hour or more the
playing went on in silence. The
stakes were high, and the contest
marked with lare skill. Sturdivant
'Xerted himself as he had never done ,
before, but in spite Of his efforts, he
ost steadily, BY the expiration of
the time indicated above, he had
est two thousand dollars. l no.
iced the flash upon his face deepen,
md a strange light came into his
yes. At last, with an exclamation
# triumph, he drew toward him the
# notes.
''That was well done,' said the =
trangcr. You are an expert at
heating. But 60 on, [ can beat
'ou whether yor play openly or dis
Sturdiyant said nothing but .dealt :
he cards again The hand was
played, and Sturdiyant was about to i,
eize the stakes when the stranger 6
aid down card and checked him.
The gambler uttered a sharp cry and .
at motionless, with his eyes fixed =
N card, worn and faded ace of .