Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-06-30
M1istellaueu>,s &eadiug.
THE MYSTERIOUS GAMBLER
BY AN OLD STAGER,

| h1 al % AnAoOS VHnADAAss
BY AN OLD sTAGER.
| have made several passages up the Mis-
sissippi and Ohio Rivers, and never withou
seeing on board the steamers more or les
professional gamblers 1t is thriving bust
ness on the boats where time hangs heavil.
on the hands of the passengers, and the black
legs carry off large sums of money. They
usually remain on board but day or two
long enough to have their true characte
exposed.
These gentry had become such an intoler
able nuisance that the captains of the boat
did not knowingly permit one to come or
board, and not unfrequently brace OF black
legs were landed in the woods when thei
profession was discovered.
During one of my trips, the boat put in a
the mouth of the Arkansas river, and as usual
I took stroll on shore. l heard the bel
for the departure of the steamer, and hasteneo
back to the landing. As l was on my way
I was overtaken by gentleman with a broad
brimmed hat. green goggles, and white
neck cloth, tugging with large valise
II am rather late, am I not p said he, al
he joined me.
"True enough, sir" replied, respectfully
for the gentleman was clergyman, Meth
odist itinerant, I supposed.
"My valise is rather heavy, and feared
should lose the boat"
"Let me help you to carry it, sir"
He accepted my civil offer, and l took
hold Of the valise, which was certainly load
ed very heavy for Methodist parson. In
few moments we reached the steamer, and |
passed on board, but my new acquaintance
had accomplished but half the distance, when
the plank canted and he was thrown into the
river. Fortunately for him, was prompt in
my efforts to rescue him, and he was imme'
diately drawn on board, with no other detri'
ment than thorough ducking.
My friend, whom, as I never learned his
name, l shall have 10 call Rev. Mr.. Goggles,
retired to a vacant stateroom. 1t was now
nearly dark and l did not see him again that
night.
AS usual in the evening, there was table
in the cabin, devoted to cards in word,
there was gambling without stint. No one
objected to the practice, so long as it was not
done by professional blacklegs. [ never
played, but l often stood by the table to OBJ.
serve the progress Of the game, and study the
looks of the players, as they were.agitated by
the tickle changes Of the moment.
While was thus watching them, observed
on the opposite side of the table we'll dressed
gentleman, who was regarding with eager in.
terest the plays of the gamblers. He mani
tested q desire to engage in the place of one
who had been "cleaned out"
1t was soon apparent that the new conner
was skillful player, and time after time, he
swept the board of all that had been staked.
In short time his companions had enough
of it and withdrew. He had won large
sum of money, and was evidently satisfied
with his evenings work..
He smoked on the boiler deck until all the
passengers had retired, and then left. Much
curiosity had been manifested to know who
and what he was. Nobody had seen him be-
fore, and nobody remembered when he came
on board, and what seemed most singular of
all, he was not seen next day, though the boat
was not stopped during the night.
The next day was Sunday, and at break
fast time my Methodist friend made his ap-
pearance.
"My good friend, I have to thank you for
the good service you did me last evening. |
am poor ; l have none Of this worlds goods.
1 trust that all my treasures are up in heav-
en-. But the Lord will reward you if l can
not"
"Don't mention it, my dear sir. am hap
py to have been the means of saving you"
We conversed awhile upon the matter, and
my friend then spoke Of having service on
board, if agreeable to the passengers. Of
course it was agreeable, and the parson pray
ed and exhorted with zeal that would have
done honor to the most celebrated of the re-
vivalists.
The impression produced by the service, I
am sorry to say, was not so permanent, for
when evening came, the gaming table was
spread out as usual, and the games commenced.
The mysterious gambler appeared again,
much to the surprise Of all, for it was believed
that he had either landed, or been lost over.
board. He played, and swept the board as be-
fore. Some of the weaker ones began to think
he was the devil in disguise, and their belief
was almost confirmed when the next day moth
ing could be found of him.
The passengers made him the subject of
their conversation, and quite an excitement
was kindled. The captain swore that if he
appeared again, he would throw him into the
river. A thorough search was made for him,
but all in vain. My Methodist friend was
especially indignant and believed it would be
good plan to hang every gambler. AS soon
as the true character was discovered, l agreed
with him entirely.
One young man from Cincinnati was par
ticularly distressed in the sudden disappear
ance of the blackleg, for he had, under the
influence of an overdose of brandy, staked
and lost half eagle, which his mother had
given him just before her death. 1t was not
the loss of the money that distressed him, for
he had plenty of that, but it was the associa-
tions connected with the coin itself. There
was history belonging to it, he said, and he
would give the gambler double the value of
it, if he would return it, with little ring at.
tached to it.
That evening, to the disappointment of all
on board, who were prepared to deal with
him in summary manner, the blackleg did
not appear. Man or devil, he had the means
of knowing of the indignation his acts had
caused. There was strange mystery about
him. Every part of the steamer was again
searched in vain for him. And it seemed
certain that he could not have gone ashore.
The next day was talking with Rev. Mr..
Goggles, not about the gambler, but on other
topics. Of course, his life as an itinerant, was
full of interest to me. He told me how
cbeaply he lived and travelled from place
to place that he was often hungry and never
had over ten dollars at once.
CO. bo e,;J. onJ IN