Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-12
ABOUT THE FIRE.
The Evening Stories Drifted Into Gam
bling Channels.
Two Stories Told by the Western Soldier Of
Gamblers Nerve.
YYyYIFEys.
Again about the camp fire.

Hello, Bum, give me a chew OF |
private gets as he walks up to the fire. |
by corporal.
IF you had kept out of that poker |
game. today, you would have had
money enough to have bought you
some,' was the response, though the
tobacco was handed over.
What game was that?" exclaimed a
half dozen men as they caught eagerly
at the remark.
"A little game where l saw this fell
low show the greatest amount of sand
/ have ever seen displayed responded
the man addressed as Bum. Il am
proud to know you sonny. Yes, boys,
saw this young man in game, today,
and he was playing against luck. He
actually had the cold nerve to bet his
whole pile on pair of jacks, hoping to
bluff the other fellow out of the game.
The other fellow had four aces. When
the corporal saw the opponents hand
he merely said it was hard luck, and
went away as coolly as though it were
only three cents he had lost
while on the subject of gambling I
will tell you of a circumstance that
happened on a steamer from New
Orleans up the Mississippi, upon which
l CHANGED to be- remarked quiet
looking elderly soldier.
Among the passengers was a cleri-
cal-looking young man who rarely
spoke to any one, but spent his time,
apparently, in reading and meditation.
1t was on Sunday morning that he
came aboard and two or three hours
later, when the tables were off the floor
and the cabin Strengthened up, he en-
tered the ladies' cabin and, laying an
open Bible before him, requested all to
come forward and take seats, as he
desired to offer a few remarks appro
Then he gave out a familiar hymn, led
the singing, made a brief prayer and
preached a sermon. For the rest of the
day a moral atmosphere seemed to
pervade the cabin, and the usual games
were dispensed with. but on the lower
deck the rafting of dice, and the sound
attending the handling of cards were
still to be heard. During the afternoon
he strolled below, and stood for time
watching the gamblers in silence.
Then he went out on the after guards
and spent an hour or two looking at
some blooded race horses which We're
on their way to New Orleans to take
in the spring meeting. AS though for
pastime, he opened conversation with
their keepers, and questioned them
about their blood and speed, evidently
taking great interest in the animals,
though regretting the fact that they
We're race horses He said gambling
was wicked and racing was only a
game of chance.
1.-The next morning the faro game
was renewed in the cabin, the barkeep-
er was kept busy serving drinks and
the rafting of coins indicated that
large sums of money We're changing
hands. In addition to the players the
table was surrounded by number OF
spectators, and among them the
clerical-looking man already men
toned. He stood looking at the game
for a few moments, and then observed
in meek tone, that he didn't see how
men could be so worldly as to gamble
Christian mother, who had taught hin
that games of chance We're wicked
and, turning away, he began to stroll
up and down the cabin, apparently ir
deep meditation. Presently he was
Joined by a 'capper, who endeavore(
to persuade him to try his luck.
For a time he resisted but he finally
consented to leave a ten, just for the
novelty of the thing, and, beside, nj
"tts' III ii0Su VI AIiohSy Will WlllCll ~
pay off a debt on his church, and tho
end might. in a measure, justify the
means. The dealer handed him
stack of chips when he remarked il
an Indifferent way that he might a!
well lose them on one card as another
and he went the pile on the ace. HI
won, and as the dealer paid the bet HI
appeared grieved, and said it looked
like putting his hand into man,
pocket to take his money that way, 81
he thought he'd leave the chips wher,
they We're, but for fear he might wiz
again. he'd just "copper" When thu
turn was made, and his pile wa:
doubled, he looked almost heartbroken
and sighed sadly. Then he removed
the copper, and, changing to another
card, told the dealer to go ahead. HI
won again, and the next time he pu
on the copper and made another win.
ming, and continued to win until he hat
about broke the hank Then ha arocf