Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-04-06

NouId nave been presse1- -l1p lit SERGE
whether or not, and the sling being a safe
guard let it bide.
had taken quarters in the tavern of the
.+King's Arms" on King street fnow Pine
street., near the Broadway, making terms
On credit, an easy matter with my prize
money claim in my pocket. Twas the gath
ering place for tories OF the better sort, and
but little affected by the military, the dash
ing element Of which favored Fraunce's, on
Broad street.
But my time was not spent here. Twas
the Bulls Head. on the Bowery Lane ION
the site OF the old Bowery theater), and
near the inner line of defenses, that saw
the most OF me,
The spot was but a step from hades. but
great place for much coming and going and
hearing the news; and then twas near the
shipyard off which lay the Phantom. Never
day passed without one broil, and often
two or three, most OF them ending IN more
or less bloodshed, and one of them put
stop to the life | was then leading
| mind me it was on a cloudy Saturday
forenoon early In August, though through
the weS in the air ard the yelled heat every
pore oozed as if one had raced There had
been but few about. | was half doing I'M
der locust in the tavern yard when / be
came conscious that two men had but just
settled themselves at a small table near me,
and was thoroughly Weakened by hearing the
name OF ''Scammel'' in connection with
some matter they had been discussing.
One was a boyish-looking naval officer,
seated with his face toward me, the other
being in a dress a cross betwixt a soldier and
civilian Like the officer, he wore a sword,
hut / Of hfa
broad of his back.
Using but the tail OF my eye, | marked
them begin game of cards for stakes, for |
could near the clash of coin, and after
hand or two he of the back spoke.
Does Clinton know the mans"
NAY, but he knows of him and what he
has done, was the answer. Il was told
last night that he has been about. There's
something afoot outside, and he'll be need
ed lis wonder he has not turned up for
another job; Clinton is liberal with the
kings cash. III give you pound to find
him
There was silence for moment or two
as the officer drew in a stake and dealt the
cards.
Il wish l could get fingers on this same
kings cash. the unknown remarked
"Card-playing for shillings is small truck for
man, and ye have had all the luck Could
| pass MYSELF off, dye think, an do the
work instead O. the chap yer after?
Nay, you're no sailor, and have Tut
shady record Tor pluck.
Then It's a sailor you want, As for
shades an records, tbs but a ease O. the pot
an kettle, It's the way Sc naval chaps
have OF robbing man of an honest living!
Now I've lost time with We because l fam
cied l scented cash. All last night l won
nothing save sore head for this morning
Come! We but stave me off from the JOB.
Play, then, for something save shillings and
crowns an thin wine. I'm sick of it. I'll
lay We the pound We offered on the better O
three hands, an then quit, win or lose
God knows I'm willing to quit" was the
return. i've played all night and am
tagged. I'll play you the pound for the
last" And the officer yawned as he tossed
the cards to his opponent.
Now / knew this to be nothing less than
the trick of a blackleg. To lose on shillings
and win on pounds was a common prac
tice with them, as it is to this day The
officer must have been green not to have
seen through it, but had little sympathy
for anyone wearing the scarlet, and, in
truth was interested in seeing how the
game Nbuld NC pay GU anu PoSolDiN HGutllS
more of Scammell.
Doubtless / had been taken for drunk
en- drover as | sat with my chin on my chest
and my chair tilted against the tree; any
way, they gave me no notice.
One hand was PLAYED to the advantage
Of the officer. That was to be expected
Then another went smoothly enough in be
half OF the iox. after which, though with
cut moving, | looked sharply for the end.
fhe method was slightly unusual, though
conceived and executed with skill They
lad each been in the habit OF fitting back
On the rear legs OF their chairs as they licked
mp their hands and conned them -As the
last card was dealt and the balance of the
pack laid aside, the officer settled himself
backward, while the fellow nearest me did
the .Gme thing but second later. 1t was
thei : fine play came in. Seeming to lose
his balance, to save himself from a fall he
threw out foot which caught beneath the
officers chaiE- sending that party over on to