The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-24
BLuFFxD THE WRONG MAN.
TNew York Graphic. I

kN0W tONN Oh1Putc<l
 "It was on the New Orleans steamer the Lac La Belle,s said she coiouei, something over twenty years ago--iust before the war-when travelling. on tAe lower Mississippi was not unattended with some persoaal danger and cousid- erahle excitement. h those days, when the passengers were not threatened with the prospect ot . sudden journey sky wards on a detached plate of an ex. ploded boiler, they stood reasonable chance of being perforated by stray ballet resulting from . gentle dispute over friendly game of poker. These were rules which barely knew an excep- ton. Some boats did not race. but they were either going h she wrong direction or their machinery was out of order and some passengers did no, indulge in poker. but they were generally women or helpless invalids- As remarked abovc, it vas on the steamer Lac La Belle, which at that time made regular trips between New Orleans and St Louis. The cargo was loaded .s the latter city on Sunday % as to save time, and at eleveu o'clock the boat pulled out from the wharf and pointed her blunt nose down the river. Among the passengers was a Hoosies named Dan Calvin, who was a noted character on the lower river. He had one superna.urally long leg and one preternaturally short one. When he stood on his long leg he was over six feet tall, but as he rested on his short one he was hardly more than four feet in height. When he walked hs looked ss l! As were trying to hoist his back over his shoulder like bag of meal at every step. His pesrance. His hair was snow white, hts beard was 6ery red and his complexion was the color of sheet of writing paper. It was more pallid even than death. He had met with terrible accident when he was boy, which crippled him for life besides leaving these other marks upon him. But in spite Of these affiictioas he was jolly fellow, the very soul of good nature, the best poker player on board and as strong ax a lion. He was also a great athlete and could perform as many feats Of strength and agility as any pro- fessional in the circus ring.
 "The first few days of the trip were made without any accidents worthy of mention. Excepting a skirmish ia the cabin one evening over jackpot which was claimed by two gentlemen with four aces each, and resulted in an interchange of shots which fortunately took effect in the targets and spared the lookers on, nothing occurred to break the monotony of the journey. Dam was steady win ner, and although he played an honest game his nerve and skill at the pastime prevented the regular river gamblers from attempting any tricks while he sat at the table. At Natchez under the H III the steamer stopped and took on several new passengers. It was early in the afternoon and the games were in full progress at the time, SO little attention was paid to the new arrivals. Alter the boat had resumed its journey they saun. tered down to the cabin, bought their chips at the bar, joined the various tables, and in few minutes the interruption was entirely forgotten.
 "One of the new corners, a tall, burly Mississippian, with belt full of weapons and the handle Of a knife protruding Y from the leg of his bo3,, seated himself at Calvin's table and joined in the game. It was not necessary in those day to have an introduction at card tabie-a sta. k of chips fully answered that purpose and no questions were asked and no ex- plantations were requested. Alter several hands had been dealt the stranger opened a jackpot for $50 Dan came in and raised it $50 more. The rest laid down their hands to watch the fun.
 q" I'll bet you SIoo,' observed the new conner.
 "' I'll raise you SSo,' responded Dan.
 "' I'll raise you $Ioo,' returned the stranger.
 "Fll go you $50 bester,' replied Dan.
 "The stranger carefully skinned his cards over. Earh had drawn one card
 "'I'n call, remarked the Mississippian, what have you gotr
 q" Four tens,' replied Calvin as he reached for the stakes.
 "'H Hold on r interrupted the stranger, with an oath. I guess not I've got five jacks
 "Let's see 'em, replied Daa laconic- ally, as he rose on his short leg and looked down on the table.
 {" The stranger threv down his cards, and drawing his bowie knife, impaled them on the board.
 "' Is thst good 7 hs inquired with significant smile. 'CsEse fl IL ais's, I'-e got Eve more jacks in my belt
 "The company had scattered al this demonstration like . flock cf chickens before hawk, leaving Dan still st snding on his stump and the s,rssger sitting opposite to him with his hand on the handle of his kniGe. Bot bslore he had a chance to draw his other jacks hs was lying On his back on the floor with large portion of his coansenaace out of position. When hs regained his con. sciousness he was helped to . chair, asd altsz hs picked portion of his eyebrow out Of his eye, straightsned his nose and wiped the gore oG his face hs vas ahis to realize what had occurred.
 Dan had pockssed the stakes, and was towering above him oa his loaK ieK.
 Ssy,, gaspsd the stranger, 'vhat 6yos hit nc 6r7 didn't do sothisx to you. ] doet want asy trouble witk