The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-09-18
THE LAST DEAL.
A Leaf form the Experience OF Pacific
Coast Gambler.
al never dealt again -

Coast Gambler.
al never dealt again :"
The words fell from the lips of gem
tlcman well known in Lcadville, vet few
recognize in the elegant, easy going man
who now commands the deeprcspcct of
his fellow citizens the once cool-headed
imperturable gambler who in his day
figured prominently along the Pacific
coast, and was almost universally recog-
nized as the shrcwdest faro dealer in the
west.
"As for the games morality, that $
neither here nor there. When dealt
upon the square it is much like any other
game. 1t is not to be thought that the
law will hinder man bit il they want
to play, and often they are forever cur
cd Of playing when they find it doesn't
pay. I've dealt the game for twenty
years, but I've quit now. made moth
ing nor lost anything, and but for sight
once saw should probably be gam.
bier still. Hereby hangs a tale. Let
me tell it:
"Some three years ago | ran high
toned game at certain place you pro-
badly know, for it strikes me saw you
there. Ii was 4 square game, rs ! will
leave any one to say-a thriving game
for | deal, for half the bloods in town,
and often had as many as five lay-outs
at time, with too much business on
hand to even get time to rest. One
evening young chap strolled in, with
sort of curious stare on his face, and
concluded right there that he was green.
He was fair-hcadcd, and had 4 pair Of
blue eyes and clcan-cut feaiurcs-an in
noccnt-looking young fellow, il ever |
saw one. II only required glance to
convince you that he was 4 stranger in
the gambling room. He soon was at
home though, for saw in his blue eyes
the love Of play, and after that evening
he was constant visitor. He played
his pile right up and never growlcd if
his luck was hard, and on every second
card he'd stack the limits up in blue
Take it altogether his luck was hard
sometime the hardest think ever saw.
I've known him 10 lose at 4 single deal
seven double shots.
"BusinesS for me OF course, but some
how it almost seemed too bad. |
couldn't say word, though, and yet
liked the boy. He had lots of the
filthy. think from the day he began
he must have dropped a cool sIoo,oo
on the game, and he never growled.
1--WE both quit gambling the same
night-the poor lad, for sufficient rca-
sons, and because loathed the game.
1t was in this wise:
ellis coin gave out in deal or two,
and he put up diamond ring, just to
see his ill-luck out, you know. The
chips soon went. He had pin, fam
ing stone in massive metal. He passed
that in without word, and drew $50,
gold. So help me God | wished him
luck rs heartily as any player there; his
last stake went my way on losing ace.
He drew 5000 more | think, on his watch
and chain, and tried his line At bets
again, but his luck wasg gone. My God.
I'll never forget the pale, haggard look
that crossed his face, but he was game.
He never uttered word, and kept his
chair like pillar of stone. For mo-
mcnt he seemed dazed At his rcvcrses,
but suddenly his eye caught the thin
worn circle Of dull gold on his little
finger. He looked At il little while,
and dark wave Of hot crimson blood
passed over his face, for this circlet
seemed to cling even faster than the
flashing gem he had passed in hefore.-
He at last stripped it off his finger and
handed it to me. 1t came reluctantly,
this worn old ring. "What can have
on this ?" he asked. al don't know
what it's value is, but I'll redeem it first
Of all. =" 1t might have cost five dollars
new. but il was worthless then.
"Siill passed out fifty stack in re-
turn, just to let him try again. He
planked it down in the pot, and then
low upon the table he laid his face on
his folded arms. Well, for wonder,
his luck changed and he won three times.
He took no notice Of me rs told him
when the limit barred, and so we played
two fifty on each card. Would you be-
lieve il; in the deal the pot won out
and never lost And still he lay with
his face hid in his arms. The deal was
out and shook him up, but not mus
Gle moved, and raising his face started
back in horror at the CLASSY expression
Of his eyes, for the boy was dead
ave often wondered to myself since
that night what thoughts went fitting
through his brain as he bowed his head
and hid his face from our sight what
pledges Of better life, regrets for a ior-
tune he had thrown away with lavish
hand, and loathing of his irrevocablc
course. Who can tell? We can but
guess at them, but may never feel. His
face showed years Of hell endured in that
brief game, but it was not until at the
Coroner's jury sat that | learned ALL
Before them was developed the fact that
the ring which had changed his luck as
il did his existence was given him by
his dear dead mother years before
Poor boy Inever dealt again. "-Lea6-
SIXe CHyo1ifli.
pS-A darkey recently made applica-
ton for a divorce from his wife. When
asked on what ground he demanded
divorce, he explained as follows: ode
ground Of dis occasion is sufficient
enough. When rented ten acres and