Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-09-02
Joe Pike Of arkansas.
by EMERSON BENNETT.

tiquated gamblers remember with
sigh-when card playing, with all
its concomitant cheating, was quite
a respectable amusement on all the
floating palaces" of the west and
south, the steamer Swallow, the
pride Of the Mississippi, as her com
mander termed her, was making one
of her fast upward trips from New
Orleans to st. Louis.
At small, insignificant landing
on the way up, tall, long-legged,
long.armed, long haired, lantern
iawed individual, dressed in rustic
suit, came on board, with ludicrous
pomposity followed by short, stout
and round-faced negro, carrying an
old leather trunk and a sky.blue
umbrella.
''Fotch 'em along, Gumbo, and
don't spill 'em nary a time !" said
the master, with ludicrous -four
ish of his long arms, as, with about
three strides of his long legs, he
reached the steps leading 20 the top
guards. Cup here, Gumbo !" he
added with another consequential
flourish 1--WE go it cabin ~
eyes, marse, nary spill in dis old
child !" grinned the negro showing
two immense rows of beautiful
white teeth, and rolling his large
eyes from side to side, with comical
winks and leers at the spectators,
deck hands and passengers, who
simultaneously burst into a roar Of
laughter.
The principal cause Of all this
merriment, never once seemed to
suspect that any one was laughing
at him, but went up the steps, two
at time, entered the gentleman's
saloon, and in the same pompous
tone, said to the first person he met
"a mild, quiet, venerable gentle
man, who was slowly pacing to and
fro, with his hands behind his back
stranger, whar's the clark of this
yere craft ?"
The gentleman addressed, glanced
at the speaker, the grinning negro,
with the trunk on his shoulder, just
behind him, smiled to himself, and
pointed with his finger to the clerks
office.
''Fotch 'em along, GumbO, and
nary a spill yit :" said the eccentric
rustic and with two or three strides
more he reached the clerks window.
Almost Immediately a crowd Of
amused spectators formed behind
him, in anticipation of some rare
sport; for the long-legged individual
was evidently not only character,
but q very green one.
Il say, old boss, ar you the clark
of this yere boat ?" called out the
stranger in a loud, familiar voice.
II am, sir" returned the clerk,
with laugh, winking at some of the
spectators, all of whom were grin
ming and tittering.
" aspect her biler won't bust, all ?"
inquiringly suggested greeny.
Il hope not" replied the clerk,
making a great effort to appear ser
ious.
aspect she won't snag, eh ?"
81 hope not"
Reckon III risk her. Now then,
] want a hull room to myself; don't
keer nothing about the cost heaps
of tin, only name your pile
If you take a whole state room
lind I believe there is one, and only
one unoccupied-I shall have to
charge you double fare" the clerk
SAID.
"Them 'em-I takes her-let her
rip :"
The clerk named his price and the
stranger brought out an old greasy
wallet stuffed full of bank notes,
some OF them of pretty high figure
which two or three professional
gamblers, who We're mingled in the
crowd, did not fail to eye with a
marked degree of satisfaction, read
lily accounted for 10y the fact that
sooner or later they hoped to see the
same transferred to their own pock-
cts.
Where to ? asked the clerk, as
the rustic stranger handed in his