Year: 1859

| have made several trips up the Mis-
slssippi and Ohio rivers, and never with
out seeing on board the steamers more
or less professional gamblers. 1t IS a
thriving business on board the boats when
time hangs heavily on the hands of the
passengers, and The blachlegs carry off
large sums of money. They usually
remain on board but day or two-long
enough TO have their true character eX-
posed.


These gentry had become such an in
tolerable nuisance that the captains OF the
boats did not knowingly permit one to
come on board, and not unfrequently a
brace of blacklegs were landed in the
woods when their professions were dis
covered.


During one of my trips the boat put in
at the mouth Of the Arkansas river, and
as usual | took stroll on shore. | heard
the bell for the departure of the steamer,
and FASTENED back 10 the landing. As |
was on my way | was overtaken by a
green gocg cgles.and white neckcloth, tug
gIng along with a large valise.


" am rather late, am | not? said he
as he joined me.


"True enough, Sir | replied, re-
srectfully, for the gentleman was a cIer-
gyInan, Methodist itlnerant, supposed.


My valise is rather heavy, and |
feared | should lose the boat"


Let me help you 10 carry it, Sir


He accepted my civil offer and l took
hold of the valise, which was certainly
loaded very heavy for Methodist par
son. In few moments we reached the
steamer and passed on board; but my
new acquaintance had accomplished but
half the distance when the board canted
and he was thrown into the river For
tunately for him | was prompt in my
efforts TO rescue him. and he was imme-
dlately drawn on board with no othe- det-
rlment than a thorough ducking.


My friend, whom, as | never learned
his name, | shall have to call the Rev
Mr.. Goggles, retired to a vacant state
room. 1t was now nearly dark, and
did not see him ag7in thai night.


As usual In the evening there was
table IN the cabin devoted to cards. In a
word, there was gambling without stint.
No one objected to the practice, SO long
as II was not done by professional black
legs. | never played, but | often stood
by the table to observe the progress of
the game, and study the looks of the
players, as they were ag,ated by the
changes Of a moment.


While | was watching them, | observed
on the opposite side of the table a we'll
dressed gentleman, who was regarding
with eager interest the plays of the gam
blers. He manifested desire to engage
in the place Of one who had been " clean
ed out"


It was soon apparent that the new
conner was s<ililul player, and time af-
ter time he swept the board of all that
had been slaked. In a short time his
companions had enough of 1t and with
drew. He had won a large sum of mo-
ney, and was apparently satisfied with his
evenings work.


He smoked on the boiler deck until all
the passengers had retired, and then left
Much curiosity had been manifested to
know who and what he was. Nobody
had seen him before, and nobody remem-
bered when he had came on board, and
what was most singular of all, he was
not seen The next day, though the boat
had not stopped during the night.


The next day was Sunday, and al
breakfast time my Methodist friend made
his appearance.


Ny good friend, have to thank you
for the service you did me last evening"
am poor; | have none of this world 5
goods. | trust that all my treasurers are
laid up in heaven. But the Lord will re-
ward YOU if | cannot"