2
GTljc iitcs, New Bloomftclli, f).
THE IOADEI) DICE.
IT was in the Fall of 1830 that the
writer of this sketch, whilo detained
at Louisville awaiting tho riso of the
( )hio river, to begin his journey to New
Orleans, first made tho acquaintance of
Mr. Harris, a woalthy young merchant of
tho above named city, who had been
upending tho Summer in Cincinnati,
where ho had gono to settle up somo ac
counts of long standing, lie was now on
his way home, carrying with him a largo
amount of money, which ho had collect
ed for tho firm of which ho was the jun
ior member.
The Hcason had been remarkably dry,
and, in oonscjucuoe, tho river was lower
than could bo recollected by tho oldest
settlers, but as the Autumnal season
advanced, when tho semiannual riso of
water might bo confidently expected,
many travelers arrived at Louisvillo to
take advnntago of the earliest boats for
tho lower country.
After many disappointments tho river
bciran to rise in good carncst,nnd all hur
ried on board of their respective steamers
to secure their passago home.
Mr. Harris and I, after having select
ed our state-room andsecn to tho safety of
our baggage, had leisure to look around
us and make tho acquaintance of our fellow-travelers.
We found to our intense
disgust, it had been our misfortune to
take passago with a large and as accom
plished set of gamblers as ever disgraced
decent society. They were bound down
the river on a " professional tour through
the Southern States."
As soon as we' were well under way
tho implements of their nefarious trade
were brought fourth. Faro," " rouge
et noir, and various other games were
exhibited to tempt tho unwary to risk
their uionoy. At first, many of the
gentleman on board objected to having
the bout turned into a gambling hell ; but
tho professionals loudly protested that
they played on the iuarc,nnd furthermore
declared. that should one of their number
be detected cheating, that the stakes
should bo forfeited, and ho put on shore
on the nearest land. After this no more
was said, and tho numerous games went
on without interruption.
For some time Harris, who was known
to have a largo amount of money in his
possession, and who was evidently an
object of tho gamblers, especial regard,
firmly declined all invitations to " try his
luck." But one evening, after tho supper
table had been cleared, he, weary of their
importunity, or yielding, as ho afterwards
told me, to a natural love for the excite
ment of play, consented to mako one of a
party of four, who were about to sit down
to a game of cards for small stakes, "just
to pass away tho time."
The players took their seats tho cards
were dealt, and the game began.
For a while my interest in the fortune
of Harris induced me to remain at his
side and watch the chances of tho game ;
but as the sums staked were small, and
the parties seemed evenly matched in
point of skill, I soon tired of suchuninter
rcsting employment and retired to a
distant part of tho cabin to amuso myself
with a book in the coutents of which
I almost immediately became absorbed. I
lead on for some timo, probably an hour
and a half ; but while pausing a few mo
ments to cut the leaves the book was a
new one I became conscious that an
unusual stillness pervaded tho room.
There was no longer to be heard the rattlo
of dico, the sharp click of the ivory " faro
check," or the subdued m tinner of tho
nhivers. ltaisinsr mv eves to see what
could be the cause of this unusual silence,
I saw that all the " banks" had been de
serted and the players wore standing
motionless around the table, at which I
had left Harris and his companions engag
ed at euchre.
Wondering what could induce men who
were accustomed to risk the largest stakes
on the turn of a card to take such an
interest so small a game, I threw down
my book, and approaching the party,soon
made my way close up to the table. ,.
I saw at once that a great change had
taken place since I had been a looker-on.
The stakes were largely increased, and
two of the party either unable,ortoo timid
to risk such large amounts, had with
drawn from the table. H. and one of
the gamblers, however, still retained their
seats, and with eager faces and shaking
hands, shuffled and dealt the cards.
, Fortune seemed to favor Harris, for just
as I reached the spot . be marked the last
point in a elosoly contested game while
.the professional, with a fierce oath, dash
ed down the cards and challenged him
to give him his revenge with dice, to
uj 1 1 1 j. V tirnnniiilinn ..(Iam a ....'.. V. . . . t
tation, Harris assented.
The dice and cup were procured, and
the excited gamesters again bet their
monev. but no longer with ilia mm ,
suit. H.'s "good luck" seemed to have
deserted him, and his antagonist won
stake after stake. II.,' seemed now wild
with excitement, lie. doubled every time.
and at last not less than ten thousand dol
lars lay upon the table to be. won or
, lost at a single shake f the dice. Again
was me gammer iuccetwtul. 11.. now
sprang from his chair aud calling,. on his
antagonist to remain where he was, re
paired to his state-room and returned , in
a few minutes he dashed down upon the
table a large roll of bank-notes, saying at
the same time to the gambler, "You have
already won From me over fifteen thousand
dollars. These bills represent double
that amount; dare you risk a liko sum
and let tho ownership bo decided by n
singlocast?" Tho gambler at onco ex
pressed his willingnoss to do so, but de
clared ho had not so much money in his
possession. Tho deficiency, was, how
ever, mado up by others of tho fra
ternity, and they prepared to resume the
game. Thcro was a largo enrving-fork
lying near II., which the waiter had ne
glected to move when ho cleared tho table
that evening. This II., with n careless
and apparently (as ho took his scat) ac
cidental movement of his arm, drew close
to his side.
All now drew near in eager expecta
tion. Harris seized the cup, and shaking
tho dico violently for a moment, dashed
them down beforo him. 1 could scarcely
repress a cry of exultation when I saw ho
had thrown double fives, within one of
tho highest number it is possible to make.
Tho professionals cast uneasy glances
upon each other, but H.'s antagonist only
smiled scornfully, and drew tho ivory
cubes toward him. Just, however, as lie
was placing them in the box, they slipped
through his fingers nud fell upon tho
floor j ho stooped and recovered them in
instant, but as he reached forth his hand
to tako tho cup, II., whose face had a
fixed, determined look, and whoso eyes
had never for a moment been off of him,
suddenly seized tho fork, and with a
movement quick as that of tho deadly
rattlesnake, stuck the sharp prongs through
his wrist, literally pinning it to the table,
at tho same time ho presented a cocked
pistol full at his head. Thcro was a yell
from tho wounded man, and ft volley of
imprecations burst from his associates ; a
dozen of weapons were pointed at the
breast of II. lie, however, was equal to
the occasion. Not a nmsclo of his face
moved and his voice was not raised the
least when he spoke.
" One moment, gentlemen," said he.
" You yourselves have declared that,
should ono of your number bo detected
in foul play, tho stakes should bo for
feited." If the dice under the hand I now hold
imprisoned bo not false, then do with me
as you will. If, however, I prove correct
in my assertion, I demand the fulfilment
of your tlircat."
liy this time every male passenger had
collected around tho table, and the gam
blers saw by their stern looks and drawn
weapons that were not to bo trifled with.
So they were forced reluctantly to admit
tho truth of what II. had said.
The gambler was held secured in his
chair; tho fork withdrawn, the dico ex
amined, and found to be loaded the true
pair were concealed in his sleevo. His
fate was sealed in spite of his despcrato
resistance. Strong arms stripped him of
his weapons, forced him into a boat and
rowed him to tho nearest land, a low sand
bank entirely surrounded by the river,
and whose rapidly rising waters promised
soon to submerge it. Upon this island,deaf
to his piteous appeals, they forced him ;
and the steumcr resumed her course down
the rapid river.
But long after we had lost sight of him
in the darkness, there name to us, out of
the black night, wild eyes, that sounded
in our ears, high above tho dash of our
ponderous wheels and the rush of tho
mighty river. Screams for mercy, fear
ful imprecations, and chilling blasphemies
such as might have been uttered by a lost
soul when it hears the dread sentence :
" Depart from me ye accursed into outer
darkness, where thero shall bo weeping
and wailing and gnashing of teeth." ,
II. hid his luce in his hands and wept
like a child. Strong men turned pale.
and the very gamblers looked at each
other with whitened cheeks and trembling
lips.
Ut his tato there could be no doubt.
The strongest swimmer could not for one
moment stem tho fearful torrent, and to
remain upon the bank was but to chooso
a lingering and more fearful death. .
There was no more playing on board
that boat on that trip, and at the first
landing most of tho passengers left her,
fleeing from it as from a place accursed.
Among those who left was Harris. ,
Years had passed when we met again,
but he trembled when he spoke of that
fearful night on the Ohio, and said he
had not touched a card since then. Sun
day Bullet in.
A Siutrulat Case.
A singular breach of promise case has
occupied tho judges in tho Court of Error
The question argued was whether a lady
to whom a promise of marriage has been
made can sue upon it before the time has
arrived at which it was to be performed,
if her admirer tells her he does not . in
tend to keep his engagement. It arose
thus : Tho defendant, Mr. Frost, a farm
er, promised to marry the plaintiff, .Miss
rtnignt on ui ukhiu u. mp iuuivr. be
fore that event occurred, however, an es
trangement arose between the parties,
and the gentlemen intimated to the lady
that he did not intend to keep his engage
ment with her. Upon this she at onoe
hud recourse to an attorney, brought this
action and recovered a verdict. The de
fendant, however, raised the question of
law whether he could be liable on the
breach of hia engagement beforo the time
had arrived for keeping it. The judges,
who seemed to fuVor the defendant's view,
took time to consider their judgement.
Eiujlith Paper.
Disagreeable Teople.
"VTEAN people are very disagreeable
XtJL to honorublo, high-minded persons.
A liar is contemptible, and beneath the
notice of truthful, pure-hearted men and
women. A news-pedlar or scandal-distributer
is certainly tho lowest order of
tho three, and to be avoided as ono would
avoid a pestilence or plague. Hut mean
er, more contemptible, more poisonous
than cither, are those pooplo who como
to you wearing the mask of truth and
honesty to torturo your hearts with disa
greeable truths. There are peoplo among
the acquaintances of every person whom
they know to bo incapablo of tolling a
lie, yet they always manago to torture
your heart by somo disagreeable truth.
One can meet a false accusation or im
plied falsehood with tho silent contempt
it deserves, and bo uouo tho worse for its
having been uttered. But how can one
manage those terrible peoplo who wear
tho mask of friendship, and at the same
time manago to place you in perfect mis
ery. ' They come to you when you aro at
peace with all the world, and yourself in
particular. They chat pleasantly of tho
weather, tho news, and every little item
of mutual interest for awhile, but some
how, in the most natural way, (how 'you
aro never able to remember) they intro
duce the unwelcome subject that is to
leave such a heartfelt sting, after they
aro gone. It may bo somo cruel thing
ono of your neighbors or friends has said
about you, or it may be something vague
ly hinted at, not explained, but that
truthful, frank, open-hearted friend ?
doesn't believe a single word of it, only
repeated it to show you how abused peo
ple can be, etc., smiling serenely at the
"good joke," and finally going away,
leaving your sky that was so cloudless
when they entered your presence, over
cast with shadows, and all its brightness
faded. Philosophers may tell us to be
above noticing these little things, but I
know it to bo a fact that cruel words will
leave a hcart-acho, in spito of the most
heroic resolutions to care nothing for
them. What excuse can thero bo for the
mischief-making meddler who comes to
us repeating what a friend has said, in a
hasty moment? Docs that person think to
prove that tho true friend is tho one who
brings to us the bones from tho table of
scandal r Indeed the sages of the past
left us tiio proverb: " lho dog that
brings a bone will carry one ono ;" and a
true friend will not repeat anything to
wound tho feclinas of another, unless by
so doing the benefit to tho wounded heart
is apparent nnd unmistakable. Deliber
ation and reflection havo established in
my mind the bcliet that it is not one s
friends who repeat to thoni tho unkind
remarks others make about them. 1
havo my idea of true, pure friendship
but there aro lew hearts capablo ot ap
preciating real sentiment, in this busy,
whirling restless age of tho world.
It is not sato to trust what you have
not tried, an d yet it sometimes takes years
to prove a friendship true. How ore we
to manage those beings who profess
friendship for us, settle themselves cosily
at our fireside, partake of our hospitality,
and pretend to defend us from tho slan
ders ot our enemies : ihey tell us every
thing anybody says about us although
it is a mystery how they know so much
and whilo they deuy any suspicion in
their own hearts, as to the truth of what
they have heard, they are scrcno in cou
templating tho indifferently concealed
misery which they have given by their
communication. People who dare be
original, aro sometimes severely criticised,
and if they have ono ot these serene
smiling, disagreeable friends, to report to
them all the criticisms of tho world, if
their heart is tho least sensitive, they
have a prospect of being miseruhle
greater portion of tho time, for bitter
words will leave a sting. '
t& In the early stages of his ministry
the celebrated Dr. Strong, of Hartford
Connecticut, preached some time in i
neighboring village. One day a commit
tee called upon him to settle with him for
his services ; and, after stamiueriug
while, signified to him that his further
services were not desired.' '
" What does this mean, gentleman !'
asked the Doctor. "
"Why," replied the spokesman, with
some hesitation, "the people have got the
impression that you aro incliuuig to um
versal salvation. .. ,
" Gentleman," answered tho Doctor
" I never have preached that doctrine
but, if I ever thould, I promise to make
the people ot this town an exception.;
Remarkable Climate.
Professor (Jould who has gone to super
intend a new observatory, founded by the
Government of the Argentine Republic
et Cordovu, in his remarks about the cli
mate, gives a few particulars which ex
emplif'T its extreme dryness., "A bowl
of water," he says, ' left uucovered in the
moruing is dry at uiulit; ink vauishes
from the inkstand, und becomes thick , ul
most by magic ; the bodies of animals
left exposed, dry up insteud of decoui;
posiuu : und neither active exercise, nor
exposure to the sun' rays causes per
ceptible perspiration.
The great grain fields of Nebrask
seldom exceed forty, or at most, eighty
acres.
LOST BUT SAVED.
IlV SIONOIl I1MTZ.
ONE night while in London, upon re
turning very late to my boarding-
house, I found, on orriving at tho door,
pacing up and down in evident distress
of mind, a young man, tho son of my
worthy landlady, whom I had learned to
look upon with a groat degree of interest,
by reason of his uniform gentlemanly de
portment and tho ntlectionato solicitudo
10 ever exhibited for his mother. Ho
held a fine position as clerk in a largo
house, and was ono in which his em
ployers reposed tho utmost confidence.
Why Harry I what is the matter?
I asked, not n little alarmed at this sud
den scene. "What are you doing here?"
' I am a lost man, ruined, eternally
ruined, and my poor mother "
" Kuincd, lost, what do you mean ?
" I havo lost everything my salary,
my mother's little jewels which my father
gavo her and, to completo my guilt, 1
havo r-r-obbed my employers."
" 1 ou : you : robbed your mother, and
your masters ! When, nnd for what pur-
poso f
1 es, I havo done it and not an hour
since I staked tho last crown of my thiev-
ings on tho card tabic at . I I am
damned forever," ho cried wildly, throw
ing himself upon the doorstep, in an
agony of grief.
Hero was a scene indeed; a young
man, beforo whom; but a few months
siuco, thero wero tho happiest prospects
of an honorable life u mother's only
hope, and tho esteemed confidant ot an
honorable mercantile house, lying abject
ly upon the earth with every darliug liopo
in ruin. Here, then, was tho cause of
his silence, his moodiness, and his late
hours.
I saw it at a glance, and as quickly
did I resolve to save him if possible
After some littlo entreaty, I persuaded
tho young man to leavo the placo where
ho was, and go with mo to some secluded
locality. On my way I learned tho
whole story. It was a simple ono, and
just such us happens every day.
lho young man, by the invitation of a
friend, had been induced to visit ,to
seo the place ; next to take a game or so
lor tho pleasure ot the thing; soon, to
make it more interesting, small sums
were staked, and lost of course; next to
win them back, debts were incurred,
which, if not paid, would lead toexposuro.
1 oor Harry! he saw his position, but how
could ho return. His salary was small,
and only camo on quarter-days.
lho JrtcHU suggested borrowing Without
arkiiig a loan for he could replaco it
in a few days, nnd no ono would bo tho
wiser, for luck would turn. It was as
ever, the old story over again nnd he
fell into the snaro, first, by robbing his
mother, then, on this day he had taken
fifteen pounds from his employers.
After listening to his tale, I knew at
once how ho had been duped, and pro
posed that lie should go with mo to ,
" where," said I, " though I never gam
ble, yet I hope to teach a lesson that
shall cause you never to put your foot
within this, or any similar place again.
Come, it is now near morning, aud if you
wish to save yourself, do as 1 direct und
perhaps it can yet be done."
My companion led the way to the
saloon where I was to be introduced as a
special friend. , All, of course, were
glad to seo me, aud with the young man
near 1 set down to one ot the card-tables
and commenced to play. . For a time I
lost, but soon the game begun to tako a
more favorable turn, and after an hour's
play, I arose from the table, and left the
place with above a hundred and fifty
pounds in my pocket.
After I had gained the street, and was
a considerable way from the house, where
my visit had not been a very agreeable
one to some who wished mo to remain
longer, I turned und said, " There, Harry,
you see what I huvedouo. 1 run fortune,
as you gamblers call it, is a cheat, and
the money which I have taken from those
scoundrels who robbed you, was done in
accordance with their own principles.
Here are the cards I pluyed with," and
beneath the light of a street lamp 1
showed him a pack of cards, so arranged
that I could always hold the game in my
hands, i Besides I designated marks by
which I knew the character of every card
in the hands of my opponents. " There,"
suid I, "in those and similar ways, lie the
art of gambling. You have been duped,
but 1 know you will not bo so again.
" I see it all but now it is too late !''
exclaimed the poor fellow. ".Now 1 vec
my disgrace.
' Not yet ; promise me but one thing,
and you shull be suved."
" What is it? I will do ay, be any
thing, only for my poor mother's sake."
"(Jive me your word of honor, then, tliut
you will never again touch curd or dice
box, and here is the money which I have
wou. Take it ; pay buck the money you
have tuken from your employers niuke
what honrtt and true, acoount yon can to
your mother, und remember as long us
you live, the rightof the 10th of March,
18'J9."
The young man promised and I never
hud occasion to doubt but that ho kept
his word.
ft? Georgia maidens spin home-grown
silk cocoons, and make their own thread.
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