Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-06-10
The Code.

Tragic scenes frequently occur at the
gaming table. But perhaps the most tragic
that ever took place at gaming table tran
spired at public house in Port au Prince
some years ago. Several parties were wait
ing about the room for the game to COM
mence. Among the crowd of loiterers was
Capt. st. Every, a noted gamester. dead
ly duelist and well known man of pluck.
Some one spoke up, "Who'll playG"
II will play" said the captain of the
French frigate, which had just arrived in
the harbor, and seiZing 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 Commandant you have won,
said Capt. 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 man.
ners, were | TO appropriate the sums the
winning of which never expected in the
least degree, for ! thought was playing
for the trifing stake laying on the table
1 cannot, therefore, take the enormous sum
as my own by right"
''Sir," said Capt st. Every, ''you must
take it, for if you had lost you would have
been Obliged TO pay the same sum-"
''You are mistaken, sir, if you think So
do not conceive my honor endangered in
reference to paying debt of honor which
l never contracted, nor in refusing to accept
of so large sum which | never expected
TO win"
Monsieur lie Commandant," shrieked
Captain st. Every, raising his voice to the
highest pitch, 'If you had lost you shOuId
have paid. IWOuld hare made yOu do
So"
This was fire TO the gunpowder, intended
to provoke challenge, and it accomplished
its purpose. ''Sir," said Captain st.
Every, II don't wish to take any advan-
tage of you, which my acknowledged abil-
ity in the use of the sword and pistol gives
me, so offer you terms of equality"
Bring pistol here at once, load it, and
the chance of the dice shall determine
which shall blow each others brains out -
"Agreed," said the nothing daunted fri
gate commandant.
A shock of horror ran through the veins
of the assembled crowd at the barbarlty of
the blood curlding affair. Some shrank
from the room, others more hardened in
sights of horror, crowded near the gaming
table, perfectly cogniZant of the desperate
character of St. Every, and inwardly laud-
ing the bravery of the unknown.
Each party examined the pistols. The
naval captain first threw the fatal dice.
He threw eleven.
"a good throw" said st. Every, holding
for moment his own; The chances are
now in your favor, but listen, if it turns
out as it appears to me it will, that fortune
favors you and not me, wish neither
mercy nor pity, as l should think either a
coward who would spare the other"
''Sir, need not your impertimeIt re-
monstrances to back me neither now nor at
any time, "replied the Commendant
ST. Every took the box and threw .ft-
teen.
The company were paralized with hor-
ror.
Monsieur lie Commandant arose. 'Your
life belongs to me, sir" said st. Everys
throwing down the dice on the table.
''Fire, sir" said the Commandant, plac-
ing his hand bn his heart, IAN honest man
is never afraid to-"
st. Every's ball scattered the brains and
blood of the unlueky Commandant over
the clothes and persons of the bystanders,
as his lifeess body fell to the saloon floor.
st. Every~deserted to the English, and
soon after fell mortally wounded at the bat
tie of Irois as the English were carrying the
day.