Daily globe., 1881-07-31
THE ACE OF HEARTS.

Some years ago the Mississippi River
was famous for its floating palaces, as the
large steamers plying between New
Orleans and the ports above were called.
Now the railroads have driven nearly all
fine boats off the river, and left the field
to the freight boats, whose accomoda-
tions for passengers are by no means pa
latial.
The former class of steamers were in
many respects delightful, but they never
ceased to be objects of dread to timid
people, for if the racing, which On that
stream was reduced to system, did not
result in the loss of a boat, there was
sure to be one or more encounters be-
tween the more lawless portion of the
travellers, in which pistol bullets would
fly rather too thick for the comfort of
steady going people. The cause for such
disturbance was generally quarrel over
the gaming-table.
The regulations of the boat usually re-
quired that all such amuSements should
be conducted in room provided for that
the hurricane-deck, but the sporting
gentlemen were by no means careful to
observe this rule, and the gaming was
mostly carried on at the dining table, to
the annoyance of two-thirds OF those on
board.
Many professional gamblers used to
make these boats their homes, travelling
back and forth on them, fleeing all who
were foolish and verdant enough to fall
into their hands. So well, indeed, was
the system arranged, that tho various
members seemed to have their different
steamers marked out for them by common
consent, so that no one would trespass
upon the domain of the other.
Of course these men were warm friends
of the officers of the boat, who were
either too sincere in their friendship to
put stop to the practice, or too much
afraid of the gamblers to care to provoke
a quarrel with them; for in those days it
was common affair for such men to re-
sent fancied insult with a pistol shot
One of the most remarkable men Of
this class was Daniel Sturdivant, a
Frenchman, the son of brOken-down
scion of nobility, who had settled in New
Orleans before the transfer of Louisiana
to the United States. Sturdivant had
been raised ''gentleman" by his aristo-
cratic father, but on coming of age, and
finding his fortunes very bad had taken
| to cards as means to better them. His
success in the field was so great that he
was induced to continue it, until, at the
| time of which I write, he was one of the
most notorious gamblers to be found be-
tween ST. Louis and New Orleans.
He was man of fine personal appear
ance, and of great physical courage, and
as gambler he was most expert and sue
cessful. There were dark stories Of deeds
he had committed while under the infu-
ence of play and liquor; and it was said
by some that he had killed half-a- dozen
men in his life. No one dared to speak
of these stories openly, for no one cared
to bring upon himself the anger of such a
man. There were few who knew him that
really cared to play against him, but they
learned that refusal to do so might in
volve them in quarrel; so they rarely re-
fused an invitation.
About twenty years ago, at the time OF
| which l write, he had attached himself
to one of the splendid steamers plying be-
tween New Orleans and Vicksburg, and
had publicly announced his intention to
shoot any man who encroached upon his
scene of operations. Of course this left
him in undisputed possession of the field,
and he reaped golden harvest during the
nine months he conducted his operations
there.
1t was my lot at the time to be COM
PEELED to make very frequent trips be-
tween New Orleans and Vicksburg, and
l preferred the steamer of which Sturdi-
want had taken possession, lnasmuch as
| it was not only the most comfortable,
but also the swiftest, and time was Of the
| utmost importance to me. 1t was known
that at times l carried large sums Of
money, and / was always apprehensive
| lest Sturdivant should ask me to play. l
had made up my mind to refuse him, and
if he attempted to draw me into a quarrel,
to shoot MIN without mercy, as l knew
that the only chance ofmy life lay In get
ting the advantage over him. Strange to
say, he did not make any such proposition
to me, and l took care to give him no
chance to do so.
One night we had struck out from
Vicksburg, and were heading down the
river, when Sturdivant came toward the
group that was gathered around the
stove. He had been drinking, and was
smoking fine cigar as he approached.
"Wel, gentlemen, he said, in an un-
steady voice, '.you seem to be terribly
dull; who wants to play for twenty dollars
ante?"
There was no oreply; no one volunteered
to place himself in his clutches.
"Humph!' he exclaimed, with an ex-
preston of contempt. "Afraid to try
your luck with Daniel Sturdivant, eh?
Or may be you want a little coaxing; l
can't stand such treatment. Come, let's
see who it shall be.''
He glanced around the crowd, as if to
select his victim, and, for the, first
time, noticed the gaze Of one the group
fixed steadily on him. He was stranger
to me, and was dressed in plain home
spun, and his face was partly concealed
by broad brimmed sombero which was
drawn over it. He was small but pow
erfully-made man, and in the decided ex-
preston of his wefl-shaped head read
an unusual firmness and intensity of pur-
pose.
care you Daniel Sturdivant, the gam
,bler?" he asked, in a calm tone.
Sturdivant flushed darkly, and gave the
stranger sharp glance.
"Some persons call me so behind my
back, /" he said, insolently, "but no one
would dare apply that term to my face"
sNexertheless. said the stranger.