Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

listen with eagerness, and as he twisted tn
ring he offered to bet upon his finger, l say
the Kentuckian turn deadly pale. His eye
glowed like fire for an instant, then his coun
tenance again resumed its usual calm ant
placid look-and, to our amazement, he rose
and walked across the apartment to the play
er, who had just been left by his companion
courteously proposed to try hand or tw'
with him if agreeable. if we, his friends
would excuse him for short time. Ofcours'
we assented. So did the gambler, who ap
peared at first somewhat surprised at tn
proposition, but probably resolved to try hi
skill upon the new conner.
The cards were dealt, and the game pro
ceeded. We were. sufficiently near to SCI
that the piece of gold which constituted the
first stake was won by our friends opponent
so, also, was the second. The third stake
Thorn gained. And thus they went on al
ternately winning and losing, till at las
Thorn carelessly observed
That's pretty ring you offered to bet
while ago, stranger. Will you sell it p
"Well as to that" said the other, "it'E
pretty enough and cost me enough-for q
young fellow pledged it to me some three
years ago as sort of note of hand, which he
promised to redeem with FIVE hundred dol
lars that he owed me-a debt of honor, sir
but he never paid it, SO I retain the ring
No, stranger, guess won't sell it."
"But the owner? You should have made
him pay. Five hundred dollars is dear
price for such bauble"
"Why, as to that" said the player, as he
gathered up his cards for the next hand, "he
couldn't come to time very well, for he paid
the debt of NATURE as they say, the same
night, and that cancelled :ly obligation. All!
the stakes mine-there's always luck in this
ring, sir, believe" said he, as he drew the
money towards him. Suppose we try a
larger stake )" and he prepared to shuttle the
cards again.
GAS you like" said Thorn.
"Well, what shall it be :" said his oppo.
nent. "anything from one to FIVE hundred p
and he threw bank note of that denomina.
ton carelessly, as if in bravado, upon the ta-
bic.
To our surprise Thorn drew wallet from
his pocket, and produced an equal amount Of
money. Then sweeping the cards they had
been using from the table to the floor, he
called for a fresh pack, and passing them,
as the attendant brought them to him rapid
ly through his hand, he gave them to his ad-
versary, remarking to him as he did 80, to
"mind his deal this time," fixing upon him
searching glance as he went through that
operation. The game was that known as
"bluf," or "poker"-I know not which but
at any rate one on which the players bet up.
on the cards they hold. Thorn and his op-
ponent having each glanced at their cards,
commenced the game.
"I'll 60 you one hundred" said Thorn,
commencing.
1.-TWO hundred better than that" said his
opponent.
"Another hundred" continued Thorn.
Hmm! three hundred better!" said the
gambler, producing the notes from bis pock'
ct book.
"Three hundred more" said Thorn, qui.
etly.
The game was getting exciting to US as
spectators. Three thousand dollars lay upon
the table to be decided by the cards held by
the players, each of whom seemed from bis
bets to be confident of success, though their
countenances betrayed not the least emotion.
"One hundred more," said the gambler,
again.
II call you," said Thorn.
"Ah! Three kings and ON ace !" said the
sharper, triumphantly.
THREE ACES AND KING :" said Thorn,
quietly. as he displayed his own cards, and
with his eyes fixed steadily upon his opponent
folded up the money and crammed it into bis
pocket
Fortune favors you," said the gambler,
stoically, too we'll schooled to betray any emo
tion or chagrin at the result.
$50 it seems" said the other.
"But hope to meet you again, sir; for l
must have my revenge after so heavy run
of luck as this" said Thorn's opponent ;
land I have no doubt your friends will join
US in social sit.down, for if you are as good
at cracking bottle, singing song, or tell
ing story, as holding hand at cards, those
who are your friends are fortunate"
"I must confess" said Thorn, "that am
not of convivial or musical turn, though /
can occasionally tell good story. l have a
little history, now, sir, upon my tongues end,
that will be of uncommon interest to you"
"To me Pray tell ii" said the gamester,
with laugh. 1T will be good windup for
the evening entertainment"
1t was now long past midnight Absorbed
in the excitement of the game, we had scarce
ly noticed the flight Of time, or that the
adjoining rooms were now nearly deserted by
their occupants, and that the two other play.
ers, at the other end of the apartment in
which we were, had finished their own game
long since, and been spectators Of that be-
tween Thorn and his opponent, and were now
apparently interested listeners.
"About three years since," began Thorn,
"a young man in Kentucky, the confidential
agent of large business firm, was entrusted
with sum of money and commissioned to
transact some business in New Orleans. 1t
was his first visit to that city. He started
happy, leaving behind him young wife and
lovely infant Unfortunately, upon one Of
the Mississippi boats, or immediatel ly upon
his arrival at New Orleans, he fell in with a
professional mana man Of play, I mean
you understand"
The gambler nodded, and Thorn contin.
ued:
by the management of this professional,
the young man was enticed to a hell in
duced to play, piled with wine stripped of his
money. In short to use professional word
'plucked'-"
"Ha! hs the old story" said the gambler
"the fate of pigeons"
"But I have not finished. That which
most interests you is yet to come"