Year: 1862

was descending the river in the old 1hnndr-
er, one of the finest boats that have ever seen.
She met with a shocking fate the next year, be-
ing destroyed by fire, and Of her passengers,
numbering nearly three hundred, very few es-
capped


NV room. mate was very bright young fell
low New Yorker, out upon collecting tour
for his employers and, as game OF euchre that
played with him for amusement convinced me,
n very skilfnl but honorable aud gentlemanly
player


lie was going to New Orleans with a consider
able sum of money that he had collected for the
house he was attached to in New York. and /
thought it proper to give him a word of warning
about playing for money at all, and especially
with strangers on steamboat


He. however. laughed at my caution; said
this was not his first southern trip that when
last winter he went up the river, he fell in with
a gambler who seemed 10 have taken fancy to
him, and who appeared to know all the marks
and tricks of cards.


He added that, as to these tricks, he had not
the dexterity to play them off, nor would he do
so if be had, but yet was able to detect them in
a moment; and that playing straightforward
open game himself, with plenty of money, and
an unfinching nerve, he had always the advant-
age of gamblers, so much of their attention
being taken up by stocking the cards, and when
their plans were defeated being always annoyed
and thrown off from their play.


He farther said that against the gamblers he
entertained particular spite, as his brother some
years since was nearly ruined by them, when on
a trip similar to his own and that although he
never sought game OF poker, he also but seldom
declined it,


still urged upon him the great danger be ex
posed himself to, but he only laughed at my ad
vice, and finally called my attention TO three
persons then in the cabin, who he said it was
morally certain came on board for no other pur-
pose than to bleed him and" SAID he, they
shall have the chance"


OF course there was nothing more to be said
by me, and before night be had gently slipped
into the sporting gentlemens net-as they sup
posed-and was playing quiet game with very
moderate stakes.


| watched the game very closely. 1t was evil
dent that, although apparently playing each for
himself it was joint business after all, among
the chepaiiys dindastrie and after the game had
lasted a couple of hours or SO, when the betting
ran at all high, there was but one hand opposed
20 my roommate in any one deal, and that
one proved invariably to be the strongest of the
three.


For some time after the commencement of the
game, the gamblers evidently intended that their
pigeon should win, but they need not have taken
the trouble, for win he would and did. AS he
had said he had nerve enough for anything !;
plenty of money, knew when to press his play,
and when, from the run Of the cards against him,
to keep in shore.


Presently one of the gamblers proposed 60
ing TO the bar and procuring different pack of
cards


"No, SIR" replied my friend, 81 prefer wait
ing until some one comes along, when we can
send for them"


"Do you suppose am going to run any game
on you, sir %' demanded the gambler in the
" Ancient Pistol style.


"No," was the quiet reply /" I know yOu
are not"


After this there was no more attempt at care
less playing. The three did their best, but con-
timed to lose.


Supper time drew near, and the game was
necessarily discontinued for a time. The three
went forward, but | kept my eyes upon them,
and observed the party assembled on the hurri-
cane deck, at the stern OF the boat, evidently
engaged in animated conversation. OF this
informed my friend, and advised him to break of
the game where it was but no, he would not
hear word of quitting them or frightening
them off.


After supper they went at it again with much
higher ante, and the betting proportionately in
creased. Many Of the passengers were assembled
around the table watching the game with interest
aud evidently to the great annoyance of the
sporting gentlemen, who made many remarks
and limited quite as broadly as dared about in
trusion but as | have before remarked, their
day Of rule was over, and they dared not, upon
any ordinary occasion, exhibit their insolence
which, backed by their ever ready weapons, bad
made them feared, dreaded and too often submit
Il d to upon the river boats.


Among the spectators was tall portly gen.
tleman, OF a very digniGcd and commanding APP
pcarance, who, after intenlly watching the game
for sometime, gave me quiet hint that he had
something to say in private, and then walked
out upon the guards of the boat.


I" Is that young man a friend of yours ?" he
asked.


told him all that knew of him in few
words


Well. sir" said he, "it's q bad business he's
engaged in yet be seems to be fine, honest
fellow, plays fairly, and [ think the best game of
poker that have seen but he is playing with
three of the greatest scoundrels unhung they
do not know me, think but do them and it
will be black day for the rascals when and
them ashore in my own State, They will play
him some cantrip yet, mark my words; there is
nothing that they are not up TO and if bis purse
escapes their clutches tonight, and there is no
other way of lingering his money, they will rob
him If allowed to remain on board the boat-but
that will see to- Have you enough interest in
the young man to remain by the table with me
as long as they may continue to play ?"


replied that had.


Are you armed ~


u have case of good pistols in my state
room"


Get them, then" said he, " and meet me at
the table in few minutes l wish TO speak TO
tn" captain aud clerk"


For half an hour longer the game went on as
usual; but at last of the gamblers, who
- --- - = Dpped the cards ON the floor,
... ;, exchanged them for anoth


... kept under handkerchief


!. My dgnified friend gave
u.e. ..| placed himself in such po


mbler could not remove OF
conceal the nrst pack without being seen, if i
were beneath the handkerchief as | supposed.


The man9uvre bad not escaped my acut,
friend, who chose to let il pass for the moment
not intending 10 bet on any hand, however good
ii might he, that he should hold this deal, as he
afterwards told me. The most determined man
however, cannot always resist temptation,


AS be took up his cards | saw them he had
four aces tan invincbe) dealt to him, as
thought, by mistake but the after betting puz-
zlrd me.


They had been playing for an ante of ten dol
lars, each putting up the whole pool in turn 4: