The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-16
THE PEOPLE UP THE CREEK.
A Peculiar Man Who had Come a Long
 Distance for Revenge.

A Peculiar Man Who had Come Long
 Distance for Revenge.
 The night was strikingly beautiful. The heavens seemed to have just received an extra consignment of stars. The moon shone brightly and the bosom of the Mississippi river, in its glittering whiteness, looked as though it might be the great shirt front of nature. hadjus, left New Ofleans and was on board steamboat-a great floating farm house of an affair, slow but comfortable. There were but few passengers, and it appeared to me that half of the number were gam blers. Never before had seen gambling indulged in with such openness. To moral man from New England, this was at first shocking. After awhile, however, my eyes became accustomed to the scene. In the majority of men, high ideas of morality soon fad accommodation with circumstances. l knew that l could not reform those reckless men. felt that well delivered lecture would fail 10 con- vince them that they should not win each others money.
 @Whaps your namei" said a gentle manly looking fellow, addressing me. "William Hackett," replied.
 "Glad of it" said he as he threw down the ace of clubs. looked al him in as- tonishment.
 "GIad of it, you sayf"
 "Yes. glad"
 "Why2"
 "Wen, I'm always glad to meet mem bers of the Hackett family"
 "Hsve ycu met many of them ?"
 "No, you are the first one"
 "I don't understand you, sir"
 "I reckon not. Neither do the men up the creek. Won't you take hand ?"
 "No, never played card in my life"
 "Then you ought to play. A hew man always sweeps the table. He's like new broom. rather like your looks, Hack e4t."
 Thank you, sir" "Not at all. always was that way. You wouldn't think that Andrew Jackson was my uncle, would you1" @l don't know. Was he your uncle f' No" he replied, shufiiing the cards.
 "Anderson, don't guy the man, some one remarked
 @Pm ncs guyiug him. He's a good fellow, I'd Der q handred on it. Sit down, Hackett, and take hand. I'll stake you if you haven't aHy money"
 "ld don't care to play, but have money, thank you."
 ~How muchT "That is rather an is:sr,==..::.sseeess sues- ton, sir"
 @Yes, that's what they say up the cr>ek. If I lose, which I am very Mkesy to do, l may strike you. Let me see you minute :" he continued. arising and taking my arm He led me up on the hurricane deck.
 "You wouldn't think that I am a rene gade missionary, would you ?'
 @l don't know, but wouldn't think that you are at present engaged in active missionary work" "No, presume not. am just from China. vent over to teach religion to the Chinese. have come back to kill man."
 He laughed and added: "You think l am crazy, don't your "Your remarks are wild, 1 mast admit" "Yes, 90 are the remarks you hear up the creek. While I was in China, work ing in good cause, money that sent my wife failed to reach her. The man from whom she rented . house, drove her into the street. That rcd headed fei- lov with whom l vas playing cards just nov is the man. an going to kill him. Ny wife lived in vicksburx. When we land sf that town shaii kiif the man and drag his body through the street. Oh, know yoa are hosri6ed. So would he be fl he kDew what was taIking about. He thinks that my name is Aadezson. hhe knev shat l an the Rev. John Harkzides he would jnmp into the rivsr. have studied deeply over this matter and-.I
 Something sang h ny nn. Ifelf n.y. seif going upward Then, a1ker . loag lapse of time, 1t seemed, ! fek fkss Tvss! 1!