Year: 1859

/
happy to have been the means OF saving
| you


We conversed while upon the mat
ter, and my friend then spoke of havinp
service on board, if agreeable to the
passengers. Ut course it was agreeable,
and the parson prayed and exhorted with
zeal that would have done honor to the
most celebrated of the revivalists.


The impression produced by the SER
vice, am sorry 10 say, was not so per-
manent, for when evening came, the
gaming table was spread out as usual
aud the games commenced. The myste-
rious gambler appeared again, much to
the surprise of all, for 1t was believed he
mad been landed or been lost overheard
tie played, and swept the board as be-
tore. Some of the weaker ones began
to think he was the devil In disguise, and
their belief was almost confirm ed when
the next day nothing could be found of
him.


The passengers made him the subject
Of their conversation, and quite an excite
ment was kindled. The Capt ain swore
that If be appeared again he would throw
him into the river. A thorough search
was made for him, but all in vain Nv
Methodist friend was especially indig-
nant, believing it would be a good plan
to hang every gambler as soon as his
true character was discovered. | agreed
with him entirely.


One young man from Cincinnati was
particularly distressed by the su den dis
appearance Of the blackleg, for he had,
under the influence of an over dose of
brandy, staked and lost a half eagle
which his mother had given him Just be-
fore her death. 1t was not the loss of
the money that 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 sad, and
be would give the gambler double the
value of 1t, if he would return it with a
liule ring attached to it.


That evening, to the disappointment of
all on board, who were prepared to deal
with him IN summary manner, the
blackleg did not appear. Man or devil,
he had means of knowing the Indignation
which his acts had caused. There was
strange mystery about him. Every
part Of the steamer was again searched
in vain for him. And it seemed certain
that be could not have gone ashore.


The next day | us talking with the
Rev. Mr.. Goggles, not about the gam
bier, bat on general topics. OF course
his life as an itinerant, was full of inter-
est TO me. He told me how cheapy he
had lived and travelled from place to
place; that he was often hungry, and
never had more than ten dollars at once.


Il have only five now,' he said and
to verify his statement, he took from his
pocket a half eagle.


| glanced at it. There was a hole in
il, with a ring attached. 1t was certainly
the property Of the young man from Gin
cinnatl.


What is the ring for g. l asked


This piece was given me by wo-
man In Arkansas, who was converted
under my preaching


The liar | had already made up my
mind that he was an imposter; in short,
that he was the mysterious gambler
Before dinner time, had an opportunity
to whisper my views 10 the captain, and
while we were at dinner his stateroom
was searched. A large sum of money
was found there, and many of the gam
ber's tools, as well as the dress which
the " unknown" had worn.


"Parson, can you swim? g asked the
captain, as the Rev. Mr.. Goggles came
up on the boiler deck.


"A llttle," he replied with a demure
smile


You will have a chance 10 try; | am
going to throw you overheard


The captain took him by the collar and
explained the matter to the astonIshed
passengers, who were quite ready to as
slst IN emptying his pockets, and throw
ing him overheard. The money taken
from him was paid ever to his victims.


The last we saw of him he was swim
ming vigorously towards the shore, ours
ing the captain with quite as much zeal
as be had used in praying and exhorting.


The young man from Cincinnati got
his cherished coin, and, l trust, learned
useful lesson.