The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1915-08-06
On a Mississippi
Steamboat
BY F. A. Mitchell


out with them. Both these methods Of
transportation fostered something that
no longer exists-the society of travel
A number of persons would start on
tourney In stagecoach, and the fact
that they were fellow travellers made
them at once acquaintances, often
friends and In certain instances lovers.
AS to the steamboat, while the greater
number on one Of them prevented this
automatic sociability, 1t was a unique
institution.
In the front part of the main saloon
of a Mississippi steamboat was little
boxlike structure, In which liquors
were served. Passing aft, one would
see numerous tables, some Of which
were occupied by card players with
stacks of chips or coins before them.
At mealtimes these tables were placed
together, forming one long table, and
shortly before a meal was announced
male passengers would line them wait
ing to secure seats. In the stern OF
the boat was the ladies' cabin. When
dinner was ready the captain went
into this cabin, bowed tremendously
TO the ladies', offered his arm to one,
escorted her to a seat at the table. fol-
lowed by the other ladies and the men
travelling with them. When they were
seated a colored man swung huge
brass bell, and the first stroke OF the
clapper was signal for every man
who had been waiting to plunge into
seat.
One day a gentleman in variegated
waistcoat worn by men OF that day
and a long skirted coat with large
rolling velvet collar stood among the
men waiting for the signal to be seat
ed. A moment before 1t came he turn
ed and stepped into his stateroom to
leave his hat there. AS he emerged
the bell rang, and man dropped into
his seat The act was a fragrant
breach of courtesy, for the gentleman
had been waiting some time behind
the chair, and the other must certainly
have been aware of the fact
Conscious of some one standing be-
hind him, the seat stealer turned ana
looked up into severe countenance
bending over him. But there was
something more severe than the face
a glittering bowie knife, whose blade
was pointed down at small bald spot
on top Of the interloper's head. The
fellow dived under the table and ef-
fected an exit on the other side.
After dinner young man about
nj
the man who had poised the bowie
knife and said:
"Colonel Sinclair, I believer
cat yo' service, suh."
"I was especially gratified at your
recovery of your seat at table. The
man who proposed to dispossess you
took $4,000 out of me at cards this
morning"
II was looking ovah the game. SUBJ"
~ think he is blackleg."
"One of the worst He Is a disgrace
to his calling. observed his manipu-
lations of the cya'ds, and I must con-
TESS that they were such as no respect
able gambler would use."
"My name is Hartleigh, sir. / am
on my way to New Orleans to be mar
ried. shall leave the boat at the first
stop and return to my home In Mem
phis. The money the man took from
me was intended to start a home.
must now break my engagement"
II would not do that, subj" replied
the colonel, thoughtfully feeling his
chin. Then, pulling roll of bills from
his pocket, he added: ASK him TO- 20
revenge, sub. l will observe the game
and will engage that he plays faiah."
Hartleigh accepted the offer, and
during the afternoon he and the gam
bier took possession Of table and
were soon absorbed In a game. Pres
emily Colonel Sinclair approached the
table and stood opposite the latter,
looking down upon him with cold
stare. That look the gambler must
have interpreted as an order not only
to play fair. but to see to 1t that his
victim won back the money he had
lost In the morning. At any rate, he
made very large bets on very small
hands, by which he lost money stead
fly, and did not seem a bit reluctant
at seeing his funds passing into Hart
leigh's possession.
All the while Colonel Sinclair stood
smoking a cigar, posing himself first
on one leg, then on the other. After
his first look at the gambler he seemed
to be only interested in the game. but
occasionally the gambler would dart
a glance up at his imperturbable cOun-
tenance and after doing so would make
another big bet ON small hand.
Finally young Hartleigh counted the
pile of bills and coin before him.
showed over a small sum and said:
Were quits. Pm even and with
draw from the game"
The gambler cast a timid glance at
the colonel as II for instruction. then
put the amount returned In his pocket.
Hartleigh and the colonel strolled out
on to the guard. When they were I'M
observed Hartleigh seized his benefac-
tors hand.
Colonel" he said. you must attend
my wedding"
81 shall be very happy, sub. to at
tend the ceremony. ! live in New Or
leans"
Then Hartleigh returned the money