Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
 4 REPORTER AND 4 GAMBLER
 
 st.. tii md zss-.Fff 3n Meet in Front of MT. Gary's Fire e
 Sale. 2 DEV0L TELLS : A STORY Of Old Time Life on Mississippi Floating 5, Palace-Scenes and Incidents of ! the Long Ago.

SailoiSl, WHo HOW pOSeS dS lue olueSl man in the business who aided in making record among his class on the Mlssis- sippi when railroads were hardly thought of. To deal the deck the most scientific ally was a high record among all classes.
 Say" said MT. Devol, that trading in that store reminds me of the old-tme business of long ago on the Mississippi. It looks like people are going there who know what business is and what bar gains mean. You see, I have come so much in contact with the world that 1 almost know mans name before he is introduced to me. Hence know business men and ladies almost by their walk"
 That is all right, MT. Devol, but am out after news" said the reporter, and as things are a little dull, cant you give me something new outside of your book? It,SeemS you have sold everybody copy in the city"
 ''Yes, I have a new story that never has seen print, and as you look like good clever fellow, I will give it to you. But you must promise me that you won't say a word about that fire sale of Gary's. That fool fellow is almost giving things away, which, you will learn in my story, was never practiced only in a case of emergency on the Mississippi"
 Well, go on with your story. I prom ise anything for a good Sunday tale, and l know you have one ready"
 "No, I have no Sunday story specially, but here is something that has never seen print, notwithstanding l have been on the stage"
 What! Have you been on the stage?"
 Been on the stage! Didn't you ever hear how I got on the stage? It was this way: You see the Mississippi was put on the stage and tho author of the play included in his leading character my his tory true to life; 1t was ascertained that I was still in existence and the play. ior11f dot 1ad fp to take that part in the play. We'll TThe succeeded in finding me and, thinking perhaps l was busted, he approached me thusly: Is this MT. Devol? Yes, sir, that is my. name.' Have you read the play, "On the. Mississippi?' 'Yes,i I have readoit. well, I am going to put that play on. the stage and want you to take your, real character. Will you do it?' I don't know 80 much about that: what is your pay?' One hundred and fifty dollars per week. How does that strike you?' It don't strike me at alk II will not play for. q cent less than $200 I will make engagement for that andinpti a cent less. Well, it's go.' | m
 Now. that Is my theatrical experience, and If you will wait a few weeks before you write any more except to call atten7 ton to my very interesting book. think the Mississippi will be in the. city, when I will appear in my old role and you cain more justly critieise my dramatic tall ent." a. .,,-.. s.,,.,e ,-.t
 But, MT. DevoL what about that new story?. Does it apply to the Gary fire sale,. cheap prices, giving away goods, etc?"
 -'The al; I haven't got anything to do with the durn fire sale. only noticed the durn, store was doing the business of the town and couldn't help noticing it."
 Well, go on. with your story. Mir De- vol.",t.,..,,t ..r. ni
 'I will give it to you in the language of the captain of one. of the boats as he told it at a banquet to several of his friends: Deyol. got into my boat at the mouth of the Red river one time, and as soon as the supper tables were cleared he commenced depredations He opened up his roulette game and played for several hours and the passengers came out $500 or $400 ahead .Deyol closed up his wheel game and opened at red and black. Well, he had big game until the tables were wanted for breakfast. We soon landed at Bayou Sara and took in twen- ty-three head of mules, and pretty wild ones at that. Breakfast was soon over and Devol opened up three-card monte game and all fell to playing. The result was that there were hardly hardly five men on the boat but lost. Then the kick ing commenced and they held a consulta- ton as to what was best to do to get their money back They first thought of a plan ts arm themselves and walk into
 
 got wind of what was coming and he braced himself against a blackboard so they could not get behind him and stood pat. On they came and demanded their money. Who is the first man that wants his2". Devol had a big pistol in each coat pocket.
 Come on.' said Devol, the first who comes will be served first. They fell back in good order and went to look for me. 1 went down in the cabin and saw t~ISl |, I.1 .-...r up the money. He looked at me and said: Captain did you ever hear of John Rogers, that was burned at the stake? We'll I will suffer the same death before I will give up a cent I told the passengers that I did not know what to do. as Devol would turn again on the first man who touched him. They then said, Can't you put him ashore? I replied that I could do that, for I knew that he would go off if I asked him. So I called him and said: 'Devol. you will have to go ashore He replied. Put her into the bank. captain; both sides. Of the river is America .ot ~
 50 I landed the boat, and Devo1 back ed himself down the steps and put On the stage blanks with a gun in eAAch hand. , ...',., I'll - After he. got. ashore he halloedii up to me: Captain. I'll get even with you when fI- req chA,the city: your d-frimHles have, vldeked fQrtX bales of my scotton overheard. Do you see that buildhbg Mlp there?h pointing to a fine residen6ee Son the coast. Yes, George I replied. Well that's where I live
 Some of the passengers were very fan- gry to think that the captain pat the gambler off at his home" isa3
 That is par, excellent. MT Dev0J," said the reporter. Now, propose that we go over to Gary's fire sale and ibuN.us both new suit of clothes. They say in black and white that they sell a $10 suit for $3S9. You are noted as the best rongh and tumble fighter, as we'll as the oldest gambler in America, and if Gary don't stand up to his prices I'm with you to the suit limit
 Here goes. We'll see his bluff or fight.'"@' stt rt e"t
 Gary was not in for fuss, and; both the reporter and MT. Devol were as- founded when he offered each a pair of socks for cents. a shirt for 25 cents. collar for a piekle. cuffs for a dime, and the whole suit for s. and they took straight drink with lump of sugar at the bottom and retired willing to let the sdurn manufacturers and hard times re- duce prices as far as they wished.