Year: 1859

I have made several passages up the Mis-
sissippi,and Ohio Rivers, and never without
seeing on board the steamers more or less
professional gamblers. It is thriving bus
mess on the boats where time. hangs heavily
on the heads of the passengers, and the
blacklegs carry off large sums of money
They usually remain on board but q day or
two-long enough to have their true charac-
ter exposed. o.. .....


These gentry had become. such an intole-
rable nuisance thatthe captains of the boats
did not knowingly permit one to come on
board and not unfrequently brace Of black
legs were landed in the woods when their
profession was discovered.


During one Of my trips the boat pat in at
the mouth of the Arkansas river, and as usu-
al, took stroll on shore. / heard the bell
for the departure Of the steamer, and hasten
ed back to the landing. As I was on my way,
Twas over-taken BY gentleman with a broad
brimmed hat, green goggles, and white
neek-cloth, tugging with large valise.


Il am rather late, am I not? said he, as
he Joined me.


True enough, SIR I replied, respectfully,
for the gentleman was Clergyman, a-Meth-
odist itinerant, I supposed.


my valise is rather heavy, and I feared l
should lose the boat


Let me help you carry i, SIR


He accepted my civil offer, and I took
hold of the valise, which was certainly load
ed very heavy for Methodist parson. In.
few moments we reached the steamer, and I
passed on board but my new acquaintance
had accomplished but half the distance,
when the plank canted, and he was thrown
Into the river. Fortunately for him, [ was
prompt in my efforts to rescue him, and he
was Immediately drawn on board, with no
other detrimeut than thorough ducking.


My friend, whom, as 1 never learned his
name, ] shall have to eai the Rev. NJ. Cog
giles, retired to- vacant state-room. 1t was
now nearly dark and did not see him again
that night.


Asusud, in the evening, there was table
in the cabin, devoted to the cards; in word,
there was gambling without stint. No one
objected to the practice, so long asit was not
done by professional blacklegs. I never
played but I often stood by the table to
observe the progress of the game, and study
the looks of the players, as they were agta-
ted by the tickle changes of a moment


While was thus watching them, I OBJ
served on the. opposite side Of the table
wsll-dressed gentleman, who was regarding
with eager interest the plays ofthe gamblers.
He manifested desire to engage in the place
of one who had been 'cleaned out


1t was soon apparent that the new conner
was skilful player, and time after time, he
swept the board of all that had been staked.
In shert time his companions had enough
of it and withdrew. He had won large
sum of money! and was evidently satisfied
with his evenings work.


He smoked on the boiler deok 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 remembered when
he came on board, and what seemed most
singular of all, he was not seen the next day
thoug the boat was not stopped during the
night


The next day was Sunday, and at break;
fast time my Methodist friend made his ap-
pearance.


MY good friend, I have to thank you for
the good service you did me last evening. L
am poor; I have none of this worlds goods
I trust that all my treasures are up in heaven.
But tho Lord will reward you if can not


Don't mention it, my dear sir. I am
happy to have been the means ofsaving you


We conversed awhile upon the matter, and
my friend then spoke of having service on
board, if agreeable to the passengers. Of
course it was agreeable, and the parson pray
ed and exhorted with zeal that would have
done honor to the most celebrated of the
revivalists.


The impression produced by the, service,
I am sorry to say, was not so permanent, tor
when evening came, the gaming table was
spread out as usual, and the games COM
menced. The mystrious gambler appeared
again, much to the surprise of all, for it was
believed that he landed, or been lost over
board. He played, and swept the board as
before. Some of the weaker ones began to
think he was the devil in disguise, and their
belief was almost confirmed when the next
day nothing could be found of him.


The passengers made him the subject OF
their conversation, and quite and excitement
was kindled. The Captain swore if he ap-
peared again, he would throw him into the
river. A thorough search was made tor
him, but all in vain. My Methodist friend
was especially indignant, and believed it
would be good plan to hang every gambler
AS soon as the true character was discovered,
1 agreed with him entirely.


One young man from Cincinnati was par
ticularly distressed in the sudden disappear
ance of the blackleg, for he had, under the
influence of an overdose of brandy, staked
and lost half eagle, which his mother had
given him just before her death. 1t was
not the loss of the money that had distressed
him, for he had plenty Of that, but it was the
associations connected with the coin itself.
There was history belonging to it, he said,
and he would give the gambler double the