Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1880-05-19

burg, being heavily engaged IL
the cotton speculations, I preferred
the steamer of which Sturdivan'
had taken possession, inasmuch a.
it was not only the most comforta
bic, but also the swiftest, and time
was of Importance to me. 1t was
known that l carried large sums o
money with me, and | was always
apprehensive lest Sturdivant should
ask me to play. had fully made NJ
my mind to refuse him, and If he at
tempted to draw me into a quarre
10 shoot him without mercy, as
knew that the only chance for my
life lay in getting the advantage o.
him. Strange to say he did not
make any such proposition to me
and l gave him no chance to do so
One night we had started out
from Vicksburg and were headed
merrily down the river, when
Sturdivant came up to the group
which bad gathered around the
stove. He had been drinking and
was smoking a fine cigar. AS he
approached all made way for him.
"Well, gentlemen" he said, in an
unsteady tone, "you seem to he
terribly dull. Who wants to play
for $50 ante ?"
There was no reply.
"Humph !" he exclaimed, with
an expression of contempt, "afraid
to try your luck against Dan Stur-
divant, Ell! Or maybe you want
coaxing. Some of you must play
with me. | can't stand such treat
ment. Come let's see who it will
be-"
He glanced around the crowd as
if to select his victim. For the
first time / noticed the gaze of one
of the group fixed steadily upon
him. He was a stranger to me,
and was dressed a plain suit Of
homespun, and his face was partial
" concealed by a wide brimmed
sombrero which was drawn over il.
He was a small but powerfully
made man, aud 10 the decided en-
preston of his well shaped head |
read an unusual firmness and in
tensity of purpose.
"Are you Daniel Sturdivant, the
gambler ?" be asked, in calm tone,
without rising.
Sturdivant flushed darkly and
gave the stranger fierce glance.
"Some persons call me so, behind
my back" he said, insolently, "but
no one would dare apply that term
to me before my face"
Nevertheless" said the stran-
ger. al want an answer--yes or
no."
"Well, then" said the gambler,
angerily. 81 am. What of it'll"
"Simply this replied the stran-
ger, 81 have heard it said that you
claim to be the best card-player in
the southwest. / have come two
hundred miles to prove you liar
Sturdivant strobe forward a step
or two and thrust his hand in
to his breast as if t grasp a weap-
on.
"Stop," said the stranger, "if you
shoot me, you will simply prove
yonself afraid of me. 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
powerless. IT hesitated for a mo.
ment and then said, bally"g:
81 never play with a man who's,
face | can not see."
"Never mind my face" said thu
stranger. "If you are not afraid o
losing, you shall see it when / an
done with you"
"But how do / know you hav
money for such sport!" persiste,
Sturdivant. "You look seed
enough, my fine fellow"
"There," said the st~arrer, pro
ducing large pocket-book, 81 hav
$4,000 there If yon can win i
you shall do so."
With an oath Sturdivant place
himself at the table and babe hi
challenger do likewise. Those c
rs who bad listened to this singula
dialogue now gathered around tn
table expecting to see a scene {
more than usual interest. TIL
stranger bad not yet raised his ha
brim, and none Of US had seen h