The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-07-07

"She seemed to wither under bis fierce gaze like morning glory in the monday sun. With bowed head and trembling limbs she passed out through the door which, with curse, the gambler closed behind her. When he had waited time sufficient for her to be out of the neighborhood, he dressed himself carefully and taking me with him, hastened away toward the gambling house with which he was most familiar. Night was fast approaching a few of the street lamps had been lighted and the hurrying pedestrians looked like giants in the haZy, uncertain light. Sounds that in the full glare of day mixed and min- gled together making one continuous roar now became separated and each sound came out sharp, clear and dis tinct the staccatoed discord of a city after night. The gambler climbed the stairs with 8 quick, nervous step, en- tered the brilliantly lighted salon and calling for a glass of brandy began al- most immediately to play heavy stakes at the faro table. With every deal, whether he won or lost, he or dered more brandy. His eyes were red and fiery; his fingers trembled with nervous excitement; he seemed as though playing for his life. The hands on the great clock marked hour after hour. The chips clicked monot- onously. At three in the morning he swallowed tumbler of brandy, hurled curse at the dealer and strode out of the place broken, ruined man. He even forgot to take me with him."
 "He had scarcely left the room when short, puffy looking man, dressed in worn suit of summer gray, sidled across the room, and making sure he was not observed, made off with me. lie was not prepossessing individual. His cheeks were bloated, and of 8 red blue color, his eyes bloodshot, and the pupils faded until they were of dirty yellow color. The hand with which he clasped me was short, fat, pudgy :; the nails were short, wide and fiat, and the joints of his fingers wrinkled and cross wrinkled, like the dried lining of an egg-shell. He made his way by devious windings through by-streets and dark alleys to small park fronting on the sea, and stretch ing himself on hard bench, secreted me behind him, and was soon sleeping soundly. Just as the sun was rising he awoke, and after shaking himself much as would an animal, wound his slimy fingers about my handle, and slouched along toward the water. Two men were coming toward us, bearing burden.
 "It was the poor victim of the gam bler's villainy.
 "Her wet garments clung closely about the slight form the dark brown hair kissed the marble cheeks and flowed in waves over the bosom, stilled forever. There was the suggestion of smile about the half parted lips, as though death had proved more kind to her than life, and had given her peace. They passed on, and the sun, climbing the eastern hills, set all the world aglow with golden light.
 "That day the poor wretch traded me to bar keeper for liquor. The man who now gained possession of me was short, muscular fellow, with close e-clipped hair, heavy corrugated bfows, small, sharp, gray eyes, cheeks of blueish- red color, bull neck and wide, deep chest. His hands were so thick that they were almost round, and their short, straight, stick-like fingers damp and clammy. When not serving customers he was always wringing out soiled rag and running it over the counter, or wiping the bot ties and glasses. He stood me in a niche behind the bar, and as the weather continued pleasant, 1 remained there several days untouched. One evening, just as it was growing dusk and be- fore the lamps were lighted, a man strolled up to the bar and called for liquor. recognized the voice at once as belonging to the gambler who had first stolen me. True to his instincts, he proposed game of dice; the small ivory cubes were soon rattling over the counter; the game was repeated there was accusation of cheating and denial, some fierce oaths, and then I felt myself suddenly swing in the air, my sharp deer horn handle, with it's gold tip, came with a crash against the gamblers temple, felt the shiv- ering of the bones, the gush of hot blood, and the gambler, with low moan, threw up his arms and fell heavily to the floor, dead. Retribu- tion had come sure and swift. His act of dishonesty had furnished an antag- onist with the weapon with which to end his life. The circle was complete. "My handle was broken short of by the force of the blow, the deer horn remaining in the wound. The bar keeper, frightened at the result of his act left the place holding me tightly clutched in his hand. He was living in this house then and came directly