The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-05-31
GAmBLING FOR HUMAN LIFE.
Two Men Throw Dice for the friE-
iIege OF Committing Murder-One OF
Them Shot Dead.

Cincinnati Commercial.
But perhaps the most tragic, soul'har-
rowing 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 gsmester, deadly duellss
and well-known man Of pluck.
Some one spoke mp, "Who'li playF
81 will said the captain OF French I'll
gate, which had just arrived in the har-
Dor, and Selling 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 Commandsnt, you have
Won" said Captain ST. Every; pushing
toward HIM several piles of gold.
Astonished at the sight OF so much
wealth the captain drew back saying ;
Gentlemen, should be wanting not
only in common honesty, but even IN
good manners, were l to appropriate the
sums, the winning OF which l never ex-
pected in the least degree for though l
was playing for the trihlng stake lying
on the table l can not, therefore, take
the enormous sum as my own. by right"
"Sir,' said Captain st Every, "you
must take 1t, 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 endangered
in reference to paying a debt OF honor
which L never contracted, nor in refusing
to accept of so large sum which l never
expected TO win"
"Monsieur le COmmsndant." shrleked
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 1t &C
complished its purpose. "Sir," SAID Cap.
tain St. Every, 81 don't wish TO take any
advantage of you, which my acknowl-
edged ability in the use Of the sword and
pistol gives me, so l offer you terms OF
equality" -.
Bring a pistol here at once, load it,
and the chance of the dice shall deter.
mine which shall blow each others
brains out"
agreed" said the nothing dsunted
frigate commandment.
A shock of horror ran through the
VEINS of the assembled crowd at the bar
bsrity Of the blood-curdling affair. Some
shrsnk from the room, Others, more har-
dened in the sight of horror, crowded
near the gaming table, perfectly cogni-
zant of the desperate character of St.
Every, and inwardly lGuding the brav-
cry af the unknown.
Each party examined the pistols.
The naval captain first threw the fatal
dice.
He threw eleven.
"a good throw" said st. Every, hold
ing for moment his own: "the chances
are now in your favor, but listen, if it
turns out as it appears TO me 1t will, that
fortune favors you and not me, l wish
neither mercy nor pity, as l would think
either coward that would spare the
other"
"Sir, need your impertinent remon-
strauces to back me neither now nor at
any other time" replied the command
ant.
St. Every took the box and threw hf-
teen.
The company were psrslyzed with
horror.
Monsieur le Commandsnt arose. "Your
life belongs to me, SIR" said st. Every,
throwing down the dice on the table.
Fire, sir" said the commandment plac-
ing his hand on his heart, tan honest man
is never afraid to-
St. Everys ball scattered the brains
and blood Of the unlucky CommsndanE
over the clothes and persons of the b..
ISLANDERS, as his liteless body fell to the
saloon floor.
St. Every deserted TO the English, and
soon after fell MORALLY wounded at the
battle of Irois as the English were carry
ing the cay.