The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-06-18
THE FATAL CARD.

large steamers plying between New Or
leans and the ports above were called.
Now the railroads have driven all the
boats off the river. The former class of
steamers We're, in many respects, de-
lghttul but they never ceased to be OBJ
iects of dread to timid people, for if
the racing, which was on that river re-
duced TO system, did not result in the
loss Of the boat. there was sure to be one
or more encounters between the more
lawless portion of the travellers, in which
pistol bullets would fly rather too thick
for the comfort of the steady going
people.
The cause of such disturbance was
generally quarrel over the gaming
table The regulations of the boats
usually required that all such amuse-
ments should bc conducted in a saloon
provided for that purpose in the Texas
Officers cabin, situated on the hurricane
deck, but the sporting gentlemen were
by no means careful to observe this rule,
and the gaming was most commonly
carried on at the dining table in the
main saloon of the steamer, TO the great
annoyance of two-thirds of those on
board.
Many professional gamblers used to
make these boats their homes travelling
back and forth with them, fleeing all
who were foolish and vcrdant enough to
fall in their clutches.
One Of the most remarkable men Of
this class was named Daniel Sturdiyaut
L
scion of nobility who had settled in New
Orleans before the transfer of Louisiana
to the United States. Sturdivant had
been raised gentleman by his aristo-
cratic father, but on coming of age and
finding his fortunes very bad, had taken
to cards as a means to better them. His
success in this field was so great that he
was induced to continue it, until at the
time of which write he was one of the
most notorious gamblers between st.
/ Louis and New Orleans. He was n man
Of fine personal appearance and Of great
| physical strength. He was also noted
for his personal courage As a gambler
/ he was most expert and successful.
| There We're dark stories of deeds which
| he had committed while under the inhu-
ence of play and liquor, and it was said
by some that he had killed half dozen
men in his lifetime. Yet no one dared
to speak these stories openly, for no one
dared TO bring upon himself the anger
Of such man.
He had attached himself 10 one of the
magnificent steamers plying between
New Orleans and Vicksburg, and had
publicly announced his determination to
shoot any man who encroached upon his
scene of operations. OF course this left
him undisputed possession of the field,
and he reapod u golden harvest during
the one brief year he conducted his op.
erations there.
It was my lot ut the time to be com.
PEELED to make frequent trips between
New Orleans and Nicksburg, being
heavily engaged in cotton speculations
preferred the steamer of which Sturdi
want had taken possession, inasmuch as
it was not only the most comfortable
but also tho swiftest, and time was Of
the utmost Importance to me. 1t wa,
known that ! carried large sums oi
money, and was also aprehensive les
Sturdiyant should ask me to play.
had fully made up my mind to re
fuse him, and # he attempted to draw
me into a quarrel to shoot him withou
mercy, as ! knew that the only chanc,
for my life lay in getting the advantag,
Of him. Strange to say, he did not max,
any such proposition TO me, and | CAV,
him no chance TO do so.
One night we had started out iron
Vicksburg, and were heading merrill!
> down the river, when Sturdivaut cam
up to the group which had gathere,
around the stove He had been drink
ing. All made way for him.
"Wel, gentleman he said in an I'M
steady tone, ''you seem to be terribl
, dull, Who wants to play for twent
dollars auteE
There was no reply, All pesen
: seemed TO know the man. and no on
cared to volunteer to place himself i
his clutches.
"Umph" he exclaimed, with an ca
preston of contempt, "afraid TO tr
your luck with Dan Sturdivant ch? O
maybe you want a little coaxiug. Som
s Of You must play with me. ! can't stan
e such treatment Come, let's see who
+ shall be-"
~ He glanced around the crowd as if {
' secure his victim. For the first time
noticed the gaze of one of the grou
fixed steadily upon him. He was
stranger 10 me and was dressed in
plain suit of h1mespun, and his face va
partially concealed by a broad brimm5
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