The Princeton union., 1899-05-11

world this way?" the one who was
threatened by the pistol said.
g 81 ought to, you cheating scoundrel!
Sir" to bystander, ''just look at this
ace of diamonds that he played last
Now look at the trumps he's played
there, and see if there amt another of
'em."
The man addressed ran over the
cards, and quietly threw out another.
II thought so; I thought / was
cheated, an hour back, but I couldn't
lay my finger on the spot till this min
ute. I'm going to take every dollar of
that money. Dan Turner, rake it in. :"
The revolver still covered Conrad
Bostoclz's head The companion of the
man who held it proceeded to stuff his
pockets with great handfuls of the
gold and notes on the table until not
a dollar remained.
'Now, I've done with you, you mis-
erable, clumsy cheat" the man with
the pistol said. 'You ought to
be lynched. You're a disgrace to
the company of all gentlemen; but"
Lynch him! Throw him into the
river! Drown him! Tie him fast to a
nigger!' came a shower of suggestions
from the crowd.
The object of their attentions turned
pale. had marveled to see his COM
posure when the muzzle of the re-
volver was at his forehead; but he
doubtless was thoroughly acquainted
with his own class, and knew that
there was no danger of more than a
menace from that quarter, provided he
sat still and made no resistance. But
when those hostile cries were heard, he
realized his danger at once. He was
among gamblers, sporting men, specu-
lators and adventurers; many of them
had been drinking freely; his offense
was something each man, by reason of
his own mode of life, was prepared to
regard as personal insult and injury.
And he probably knew, too, that no
wild beast of the forest or the wild is
so cruel in it's rage as a crowd Of men.
No time was allowed him to think
about it, A rush was made for him; a
dozen hands seized him; spite of his
struggles, cries and curses, he was
dragged along toward the gangway.
The captain came running down,
hearing the commotion; and, seeing
the situation of affairs, began to inter-
cede for the endangered man.
For Gods sake, gentlemen, what's
the matter? Don't have any violence
here"
'1t's only - card-sharp we're 60
ing to give ducking."
Its about time we made an exam
pie of some of these blacklegs who
travel along the river, fleeing honest
gentlemen"
''Td like to have him put down in
the furnace-room, till the boat gets to
New Orleans"
''Save me, Capt. Norris!'' the wretch
ed man exclaimed.
'Ah!-is it you, Con Bostock?' the
Gentlemen, just spare him this time,
and if he ever dares to come aboard
the Queen again, you can drown him or
hang him, for all care. But tonight,
please let's have no violence. It
might hurt the good name of my boat"
The appeal was successful. The
captains interference had given two
minutes for reflection; and when a mob
can be got to think, there is hope of it.
With some dissent, the merciful coun-
sci was approved.
''But you'll set him ashore?' some
one suggested.
with great pleasure. There's a
landing two miles below; he'll have to
walk two miles to find house."
The crowd became good humored at
the idea, and sundry coarse jokes were
cut at the expense of the gamblers
plight. The boat was soon brought to
the shore, and he was unceremoniously
landed I did not expect ever to see
his coarse, depraved face again; but it
was with me as it ever is-''man pro-
poses, God disposes."