Year: 1859




without seeing on board the steamers more
or less professional gamblers. 1t is Il
thriving business on the boats where time
hangs heavily on the hands of the passen-
gers, and the blacklegs carry off large
sums of money. They usually remain on
board but day or two-long enough to
have their true character exposed
sssssT These gentry had become suehan siutol,,
cradle nuisance that the captains Of the
boats did not knowingly permit one to come
on board: and not unfrequenuy brace of
blaoklegs were landed in the woods when
their profession was discovered


During one of my trips the boat put i'll
at the mouth of the Arkansas river, and as
usual, L took a stroll ON shore. heard
the bell for the departure of the steamer,
and fastened back to the landing. AS l
was on my way, was overtaken by a gen
tleman with a broad -brimmed hat, green
goggles, and q white neck-cloth, tugging
along with a large valise-


81 am rather late, am [ not?' said he,
as he joined me.


True enough, sir.'' replied respect
fully, for The gentleman was clergyman,
a Methodist iLinerant, l supposed.


my valise is rather heavy, and feared
L should loose the boat"


"Let me help you carry it, Sir"


He accepted my civil offer, and took
hold of the vaiise, which was certainly
loaded very heavily for Methodist par
son. In few moments we reached the
steamer, aud l passed on board but my
new acquaintance had accomplished but
half the distance, when the plank canted,
and he was thrown into the river. Fortu-
nately for him, | was prompt i'll my Efforts
to rescue him, and he was imm ediately
drawn on board, with 10 other detriment
than thorough ducking.


NY friend, whom, as never learned his
name, shall have to call the Rev. Mr.. Cog
Giles, retired 10 vacant state-room. 1t
was now nearly dark, and did not see him
again that night.


AS usual in the evening, there was ta-
BILE devoted TO cards; in Il word, there was
gambling without stint. No one objected
to the practice, so long as it was not done
by professional blacklegs. I never played,
butt often stood by the table to observe
the progress of the game and study the
looks of the players, as they were agitated
by the fickle chances of a moment.


While l was thus watching them OBJ
served on the opposite side of the table a
well dressed gentleman, who was regard
ing with eager interest the plays of the
gamblers He manifested desire 10 en-
gage in the place of one who had been
''ceaned out


1t was soon apparent that the new conner
was skillful player, and time after Time
he swept the board of ali that had been
staked. In short time his companions
had enough of it and withdrew. He had
won large sum of money, ard was evil
L.,


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 remembered
when he came on board, and what seemed
most singular of all, he was not seen the
next day, though the boat was not stopped
during the night.


The next day was Sunday, and at break
fast time my Methodist friend made his
appearance.


my young friend, have to thank you
ming. l am poor; | have none of this
worlds goods. l trust that all my treas
ures are laid up in Heaven. But The Lord
will reward you if cannot"


Don't mention it, my dear sir. l am
happy to have been the means Of saving
you.


We conversed while upon the matter
and my friend then spoke Of having IA SER
vice on board, if agreeable to the passen
gers Of cour Sc it was agreeable, and the !
parson prayed and exhorted with Il zeal
that would have done honor to the most
celebrated of the revIvalists.


The impression produced by the services,
I an sorry tO SnU Was not nprn1anant for I
it was believed that he had landed or been !
lost overheard. He played, and swept the
board as before. Some of the weaker ones
began tc think he was the devil in dis
g1se, and their belief was almost con
iirmed when the next day nothing could be
foundof him.


The passengers made him the subject
Of their conversation, and quite an excite
ment was kindled. The captain swore if
he appeal ed again, he would throw him
into the river. A thorough search was
made for him but all in vain My Metho-
dist friend was especially indignant, and
believed it would be a good plan to hang
every gambler. AS soon as the true char
7cter was discovered. l agreed with him
entirely. .s.s. .....


One young man from Cincinnati was
particularly distressed i'm the sudden dis
appearance of the blackleg, for he bad,
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 money that
him, for he had plenty of that;
it was the associations connected with the
coin itself. There was history belong
ing 20 it, he said, and he would give the
gambler double the value of it, if he would
return it, with little ring attached to ii.


That evening, to the disappointment of