Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-05-23
ON THE RIVER.
. sTHANGE BUr TRUE TALE.

At the Gambling Tab;e-Deaiiy P"iiteness-
Very Young Preachers Experience
on the Mississippi River.
Arkab saw Traveller.
"Nearly every mau who travelled on
the Mississippi river ia the old days can
relate an interesting experience said the
Rev. BIZ. Jackson: a minister whose repu-
ia ion as al impassioned public orator has
gore beyond the boundaries of Arkansas.
There was something about the Missis;
sippi river experience that tended to aid
in vivid reproduction. The grand 1ioat
ing drawing rooms, the wealth displayed
at every turn and the studied politencss
and conventional ceremony o: supposed
good breeding which you everywhere meet
ali comes up at once in reportrayal oi q
character which. thus surrounded, you
have contemplated. But al Of this polite.
ness and exhibition OF good breeding l
must say, was but the white form on
.luddy water. 1t vas the courtesy that
coald grasp tho hand Of a acquaintance or
shoot an old friend.
sIn the spring of 1850 l boarded grand
steamer at New Orleans bound for up
river. | Was y very young poacher at that
time. and was under orders to repair to
small community and assist in conducting
a revival There was something OF war
being wagcd between two churches, ana
il stood our church in hand to concentrate
forces or lCse ascendapcy in the neighbor-
hood. These were the days of political and
religious yigor AID aVCwed opposition IN
religious contest was regarded as belng
no more out of place or ia i'll keeping with
the faith than the fierce struggles engaged
in ty the Wings and Democrats. l was
hat
preacher would be sent to assist me, that
If needed more help to make my demands
known at ci.ce. When boarded the boat
| looked around for my companion in
arms, whose name evon had not learned.
The closest search failed to disccvsr my
assistant AM, concluding that he had
ei,he. preceded or would come after me,
dismissed the matter AID settled down
10 the quiet enjoyment of the occasion.
There were quite number Of gamblers
polished genr!eman-on board and al
though | was opposed to gambling, !
could not refrain from looking On and con
templating with what serenity Of counte-
nance the players alternately parted with
thousands of dollars.
"s Won't You take hand p asked one
of the players. one evening, addressing a
young, pleasant looking gentleman who
stood near.
"s never play he remarked.
4" Won't do you any HARM
"' know it won't, Cor ! don't intend
80 play
.'.I'he gentleman is rare joker, re
piled tail man, VIII" handled cards with
an ease ard lost with 4 good will that
almost challenged respect
- Yes replied the young gentlemaH,
IL n JS
Joke
%. Al, and = punster,' said the tall
n:ar. reiruuishing $1,000 with a smile.
It makes little diff. cnre to you what
am. | came here 10 Quietly look on, not
intending TO engage in the game or the
conversation, and, especially, not to o.
the bait Of any jokes that might a!lS5
from III luck or success at the table. Ro
gariiess of the business you follow,
Zone that you are we'll enough acquainted
with tue manners ui gentlemen t" treat
n. unob!rusiye locker on with ciEility. II
not with courtesy
You speak we'll" exclaimed tho tai
,nau. L hope that am \ gentleman O
GOOD bird. and education, and hope thai
hav. ln. insuitcd you. Ii | have, L SIN
ce;e!y bay yu.ir PARTON. Grant it willingly
and all viii be we'll reluctantly, and, a.
a rent ie:nan, which ycu undoubtedly
vrnless to be. Snn know your recourse
But for YOUR last rem :rk, | would
havo heartily forgiven You CT any ntcn
tion 10 insult me. AS it is do not gran
pardon. realizing that gentleman Is 10
cXpec:cl to EAvo dealings with such
man a l"u And, furthermore, let III
say that 'ega" you co"aio'y VII
lain
The tai; MAJ sIraas to his feet m.
,l,ery a bowie knife The quiet man di
not even look at him.
:''Takc that back, OF Pilrub your heal
over ycur face
EVERY one arc;e, but 10 one felt d's
noap,i 30 !,.2Tcnt bloodsk"d.
":I said thai regarded jou As COW
?Nly villain Keep cool and I'll tell yo
viz. While We were engaged in insinui
,,ns conversation I saw you steal roll q
bills from that man. pointing to opc c
the players Until then, and but for til
ye,naik you made, trying to compel
cheerful granting Of pardon, l was di
,osct! to pay little attention TO anythm
You might say. Now, sir, have made IN
statement. have heen led into this, an
may ,egrct the misrepresentation hc
hi,n-but | shall make TO cODcesslons.'
The tall mans eyes actually glarec
have killed five men. and all for le'
than this be exclaimed. Get out OF IL
way. rll cut linn in two"
"'Gct ont Of the way" said tho qu,t
leah. 1t would greatly please me- If b
wouId set down and conduct himself lc:
dangerously, but If he is determine ed upe
a wicked action let him be under EO +
siraint.'
..sIou arc foolish. exclaimed one
the gamblers, tu,tirg toward the qu!
man You ale not armed, and even
,n,f>yrie Can't Aicie would kill you.
am the uau from whom you say he pl
toinca lie bills. SAW the action but
1ot tla,2 - iltsrpose.'
"'S0 tIis IS Capt. Aicle ? said
vouur gcntleuan, Il have heard of hi1
lie has a very ursavory reputation
NV Orleans. If we'll coists ucted repol
be tue, he is not only 4 thief, but mt
derer.'
"sGet ont OF my way !! howled I
cantain. and. struggling, he threw
companions aside and sprang forwai
Like q sudden revolution Of q wheel-li
an action whose quickncss cannot be co
te.aplated-the young man drew a &c
ringer and sent a ball throug h the ca
tain's b:aiE, killing him instantly.
Gentlemen said the quiet ma
beoirniug to talk ere the smoke lifted,
mad more than one reason tor committi
this deed was insuited, as you saw, a
was in danger, as you know but, wo
Of al. that man murdered my father.
did not contemplate killing him, but, a.
coil I wo1,id have granted pardon for