The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1883-06-14
DEADLY POLIFENESs.

can relate an interesting experience
said Rev. Mr.. jackson, a minister whose
reputation as an impassioned public
orator has gone beyond the boundaries
about Mississippi River experience
that tended to aid in vivid reproduc-
ton. The grand floating drawing rooms,
the wealth displayed at every turn, and
the studied poIiteness and convent onal
ceremony of a supposed good breeding
which you everywhere meet, all come
up at once in reportrayal of a character
which, thus surrounded, you have con-
templated But all of this politeness
and exhibition of good breeding, / must
say, was but the white foam on muddy
water. 1t was the courtesy that could
grasp the hand of new acquaintance
or shoot an old friend. |s
sin the spring of 1850 I boarded
grand steamer at New Orleans bound
for up the river was very Young
preacher at the time, and was under
orders to repair to a small community
and assist in conducting a revival.
There was something of a war being
waged between two churches, and it
stood our church in hand to concentrate
forces o.. lose ascendancy in the neigh
bOrhOod. These were the days of pOlit-
zeal and religious vigor, and avowed
opposition in religious contests was
regarded as being no more out
of place or in iH-keeping with
the faith than the fierce struggle
engaged in by the Wings and Demo
Gratis. | was told at headquarters that
another young preacher would be sent
to assist me, and that if / needed more
help to make my demands known at
once When / boarded the boat l
arms, whose name I even had not
learned The closest search failed to
discover my assistant, and concluding
that he had either preceded or would
come after me, / dismissed the matter
and settled down to the uietenjoyment
of the occasion.
4" There were quite number of gam
blers polished gentlemen-On board,
and, although l was opposed to gam
bling, l could not refrain from looking
on and contemplating with what sereni-
~ of countenance the players alternate
". parted with thousands. of dollars.
- Won't you take a hand?' asked
one of the players one evening, address
ing young, pleasant-loOkng gentle
man who stood near.
e Il never play, he remarked.
"'WOn't do you any harm
IL know it won't, for don't intend
to play
- The gentleman is a rare joker, re
piled tall man, who handled cards
with an ease and lost with a good will
that almost challenged respect.
eyes, replied the young gentleman,
"a rare Joker, because it is rare that l
joke. tt
a. All. and punster, said the tall
man, relinquishing one thousand dollars
with a smile. fF
g 1t makes little, difference to you
what l am. l came here to quietly look
on, not intending to engage in the game
or the conversation, and, especially,
not to be the butt of any jokes that
might arise from ill-luok or success at
the table. Regardless of the business
you follow, / hope that YOU are well
enough acquainted with the manners of
gentlemen to treat an unobtrusive
1ooker-on with eiyility, if not with
courtesy
You speak well, exclaimed the
tall man. / hope that / am a gentle-
man of good birth and education, and
| hope that | have not insulted YOU. If
have, 1 sincerely beg your pardon.
Grant it willingly, and all will be well;
reluctantly, and. as a gentleman, which
you undoubtedly profess to be, You
know your recourse.
g But for your last remark, l would
nave heartily forgiven you of any
intention to insult me. As it is, I do
not grant pardon. realizing that a
gentleman is not expected to have deal
ings with such man as you. And,
furthermore, let me say that / regard
YOU as a cowardly villain
The tall man sprang to his feet and
drew a bowie knife. The quiet man did
not even look at him. -
TAKE that back. or I'll rub your
heart over your facet
Every one arose, but no one felt dis
posed to prevent bloodshed.
- 1 said that / regarded You as 8
cowardly villain. Keep cool and III
tell you why. While you were engaged
in insinuating conversation l saw you
steal roll of bills from that man,
pointing to one of the players. Until
then, and but for the remark you made
trying TO compel a cheerful granting Of
pardon, ] was disposed to pay little at
tention to anything you might say
Now, sir, have made my statement
] have been led into this, and / may re-
gret the consequences - don't hold
him-but ] shall make no concessions.
The tall mans eyes actually glared
'Ihave killed five men, and all for less
IMAM NbllSs ne eNCldlIu6u. dCI out o.
the way! III cut him in twoN .r.
Get out of the way, said the quiet
man. 1t would greatly please me i
he would sit down and conduct himself
less dangerously, but if he is deter
mined upon a wicked action, let him bC
under no restraint
sse"You are foolishF exclaimed one O.
the gamblers, turning to the quiet man
You are not armed, and even if syog
were Captain Aiele would kill you
am the man from whom you say he pur
loined the bills. I saw the action, but
did not dare to interpose.
g SO this is Captain AjcleP said the
young gentleman Il have heard q
him. He has every unsavory reputa
don in New Orleans. If well-construct
ed reports be true, he l. not only a thiei
but a murderer. -
sect ont of my wayr howled the
Captain. and. struggling, he threw his
companions aside and sprang forward
Lake sudden revolution of a wheel
like an action whose quickness can no
ha contemplAted lhe young mar