After supper they went at it again with a much higher ante, and the betting proportionately increased. Many of the passengers were assembled around the table watching the game with interest, and evidently to the great annoyance of the sporting gentlemen, who made as many remarks, and hinted quite as broadly as they dared about intrusion; but as I have before remarked, their day of rule was over, and they dared not, upon any ordinary occasion, exhibit that insolence which, backed by their ever-ready weapons, had made them feared, dreaded, and too often bmitted to upon the river boats.

Among the spectators was a tall, portly gentleman, of a very dignified and commanding appearance, who, after intently watching the game for some time, gave me a quiet hint that he had something to say in private, and then walked out upon the guards of the boat.

"Is that young man a friend of yours?" asked he.

I told him all that I knew of him in a few words.

"Well, sir," said he, "it's a bad business that he's engaged in; yet he seems to be a fine, honest fellow, plays fairly, and I think the best game of poker that I have ever seen, but he is playing with three of the greatest scoundrels unhung; they do not know me, I think, but I do them; and it will be a black day for the rascals when I find them ashore in my State. They will play him some cantrip yet, mark my words; there is nothing that they are not up to; and even if his purse escape their clutches to-night, and there is no other way of fingering his money, they will rob him if allowed to remain on board the boat; but that I will see to. Have you enough interest in the young man to remain by the table with me as long as they may continue to play?"

I replied that I had.

"Are you armed?" asked he.

"A case of pistols in my state-room," answered I.

"Get them, then," said he, "and meet me at the table in a few minutes. I wish to speak to the captain and clerk."

For half an hour longer this game went on as usual; but at last one of the gamblers, whose turn it was to deal, dropped the cards upon the floor and, I was very sure, changed them for another pack, probably kept under a handkerchief which was in his lap. My dignified friend gave me a look, and then placed himself in such a position that the gambler could not remove or conceal the first pack without being seen, if it were indeed beneath the handkerchief, as I supposed.

This manoeuvre had not escaped the notice of my acute friend, who chose to let it pass for the moment, not intending to bet on any hand, however good it might be, that he should hold this deal, as he afterwards told me; the most determined man, however, cannot always resist temptation.

As he took up his cards I saw them-he had four aces (an invincible) dealt to him, as I thought at the time, by mistake; but the after betting puzzled me.

They had been playing for an ante of ten dollars, each putting up the whole pool in turn; the oidest hand had put up a "blind" of fifty dollars, and it was my friend's first say. He "saw "the blindthat is, he laid down one hundred dollars, and then bet two hundred "better"-a capital play, and one very likely to be mistaken by his opponents for a "bluff." The next hand "passed," and then drew his card; the dealer then "saw" the bet, and also bet two hundred dollars "better."

Now, it was the oldest hand's turn; he had passed the first "say" by "going blind." He did not "make his blind good," but threw up his cards, and the contest was between the New Yorker and the gambler. At this juncture you will perceive there were on the table seven hundred and ten dollars, and it was the New Yorker's turn. He appeared in deep thought for a moment, examined his hand, studied it, took out a pocket-book, and not finding what he wanted, unbuttoned his vest, and after some time pulled out a money-belt, and took from it several bills.

"I will cover your bet, and bet you a thousand and forty-five dollars more," said he at last, as cool as a cucumber.

"And what's the forty-five for?" asked Legs.

"If you 'see'

my bet, it will make even money," answered New York.

It was now the gambler's chance, and he seemed very much excited, and his companions particularly fidgety; he drew a roll of bills from his pocket, then asked his right-hand man for the tobacco; it was handed to him under the table, and then he made his bet.

"I believe you're bluffing me, hoss, and have a good mind to call you," said he, "but I won, here; I'll 'see' your bet, and go five hundred more."

The game was becoming very exciting, and at this moment I saw my dignified new acquaintance give a slight nod to the clerk of the boat, and the latter walked out upon the guards.

New York was counting his money. "See your five hundred, and go another thousand," said he, laying down three bills of the old United States Bank.

Legs examined the money, looked very critically at the pile of bills the New Yorker had by his side, which were seemingly of small amount, took a critical survey of the money-belt, consulted his companion's eyes, and then said, with a hateful sneer

"Well, sir, here's your thousand, and that makes six thousand on the table. Nice little sum; most enough to open a snug, quiet bank at Orleans; but here's five thousand better."

"Hold on, hold on, stranger," cried New York, "you oversize my pile; must have a show for my money, you know."

"The d-1 you must," retorted Legs. "If you back down, say so like a man, and then if you are flat-footed, I'd lend you a stake to start on. If you don't care to call me, say so, and don't whine like

a puppy or a baby, but give up like a man."

The New Yorker turned very pale, raised his eyes to the surrounding crowd, as if to ask whether they deemed this fair play; then pretended to examine the money in the pool, but did not reply. "Quit handlin' them shin-plasters, hoss; it's no ways likely they'll trouble your pockets; and just call me, or I'll rake down the pile," growled out Legs, in an excessively insolent manner.

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One moment, sir," interrupted my new friend. "Here, sir (throwing a pocket-book to the New Yorker), call him, if you wish."

Up jumped the three gamblers, pistol in hand; but before either could grasp the money, they were seized behind by three stalwart fellows, and then the swearing commenced.

"This game shall be played out, noise or no noise. Open my pocket-book, sir, and use the money as you please. Mate, gag those fellows if they swear another oath," said the portly gentleman, in the tone of one born to command.

New York opened the book, found the requisite amount, placed it on the table, and then "called." "Call and be --; do you think outsiders can come around, lookin' at our hands, interfering with my game, and lending money? No, sir-ee, hoss," yelled out the gambler.

Will you divide the money, then?" asked the gentleman.

"Not a d- bit of it. It's mine, and by I'll have every red cent of it but your five thousand," replied Legs. "Say, strangers (addressing the spectators), can't you see this is a put up thing, and these two gamblers here are trying to rob a gentleman? Are you going to stand it?"

by

Turn over their hands," said the gentleman, paying no attention to the other's words.

The cards were faced; New York had four aces; Legs, two Jacks, king, queen, and ten.

"Pretty hand that last to bet eight thousand on," remarked the gentleman.

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Bloody robbery, by," yelled out the gambler; "but I'll have justice when I get to Orleans,

"You shall, sir, and before, too; and when you make your complaint, tell Mr. Baldwin that you were robbed by the Governor of this State, sir; and if I had you ashore, you should have an opportunity of complaining that you expected to be murdered also, on short notice: for as I live, if I ever do catch you there, you will be handed over to the Safety Committee before you can turn up a Jack, smart as you are at it. We have been looking for you three gentlemen for the past year, and if you had been found anywhere on the left bank of the river, we should have you rotting in prison with your friend Murrell long ere this; or, more probably, dangling from a mulberry or black-jack, with your cronies Cotton and Saunders."

Captain C," continued he, addressing the commander of the boat, who had just made his appearance on the scene, "is there any island about here that it would pay to colonize?

Just exactly the very place, sir," returned the captain. "We're right above Dead Man's Islandgoing into the shute now, sir."

"No inhabitants, I believe?" demanded the Governor.

"None, sir, but rattlesnakes, moccasins, and mosquitoes. Shall I land them there, sir ?"

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Yes, with a week's supply of bread; not one drop of liquor. Take their weapons away, and any tools of their trade that they may have about them: and if they have any letters or papers on their persons, let the clerk seal them up and deliver them to Mr. Baldwin, with my compliments. "Adieu, gentlemen," continued he, addressing the gamblers, as the mate and his men were taking them off, gagged and bound, "you will find your baggage and traps at the Recorder's office, when you arrive at New Orleans."

And now, sir" to the New Yorker-"you may return my loan; and if I might advise, I think you had better present the large sum you have just won to the orphan asylum, when you arrive; and also, if you will excuse friendly advice, let cards alone for the future, at least among strangers and steamboat travellers."

"I feel truly grateful to you, sir," replied my young friend. "The money shall be disposed of as you suggest, and I have done with games of chance, for life."

ENGINEERING LOAN, OR STAKING OUT A RAILWAY.

"Bean" Caldwell was a sporting genius, of an extremely versatile character. Like all his fraternity, he was possessed of a pliancy of adaptation to circumstances, that enabled him to succumb with true philosophy to misfortunes, and also to grace the more exalted sphere of prosperity with that natural ease attributed to gentlemen with bloated bank accounts.

Fertile in ingenuity and resources, Beau was rarely at his wit's end for that nest egg of the gam bler, a stake. His providence, when in luck, was such as to keep him continually on the qui vive for a nucleus to build upon.

Beau, having exhausted the pockets and liberality of his contemporaries in Charleston, S. C., was constrained to "pitch his tent" in fresh pastures. He therefore selected Abbeville, whither he was immediately expedited by the agency of a "free pass."

Snugly ensconced in his hotel, Beau ruminated over the means to raise the "plate." The bar-keeper was assailed, but he was discovered to have scruples, (anomalous barkeeper?) The landlord was a grum wretch," with no soul for speculation. The cornered "sport," was finally reduced to the alternative of "confidence of operation." Having arranged his scheme, he rented him a precious negro boy,

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and borrowed an old theodolite. Thus equipped, Beau betook himself to the abode of a neighboring planter, notorious for his wealth, obstinacy and ignorance. Operations were commenced by sending the nigger into the planter's barn-yard with a flagpole. Beau got himself up into a charming tableau, directly in front of the house. He now roared at the top of his voice, 72.000.000-51-8-11."

After which he went to driving small stakes, in a very promiscuous inanner, about the premises, The planter hearing the shouting, and curious to ascertain the cause, put his head out of the window. 'Now,' said Beau, again assuming his civil engineering' pose, go the right a little further-there, that'll do. 47.000-92-5.'

'What the d-1 are you doing in my barn-yard?' roared the planter.

Beau would not consent to answer this interrogation, but pursuing his business, hallooed out to his 'nigger

Now, go to the house, place your pole against the kitchen door, higher-stop at that. 86-45-6.' 'I say there,' again vociferated the planter, 'get out of my yard.'

'I'm afraid we will have to go right through the house,' soliloquizod Beau.

'I'm d-d if you do,' exclaimed the planter.

Beau now looked up for the first time, accosting the planter with a courteous→→→

'Good day, sir.'

Good d--1, sir; you are committing a trespass."

My dear friend, replied Beau, 'public duty, imperative-no trespass-surveying railroad-State job-your house in the way. Must take off one corner, sir-the kitchen part-least value-leave the parlor-delightful room to see the cars rush by twelve times a day-make you accessible to market.' Beau, turning to the nigger, cried out-

"Put the pole against the kitchen door again-so, 85."

"I say, stranger," interrupted the planter, "I guess you ain't dined. As dinner's up, suppose you come in, and we'll talk the matter over."

Beau, delighted with the proposition, immediately acceded, not having tasted cooked provisions that day.

"Now," said the planter, while Beau was paying marked attention to a young hen turkey, "It's mighty inconvenient to have one's homestead smashed up, without so much as asking the liberty. And more than that, if there's law to be had, it shan't be did, either."

"Pooh! nonsense, my dear friend," replied Beau, "it's the law that says the Railroad must be laid through kitchens. Why we have gone through seventeen kitchens and eight parlors in the last eight miles-people don't like it, but then, it's law, and there's no alternative, except the party persuades the surveyor to move a little to the left, and as curves cost money, most folks let it go through the kitchen."

"Would

"Cost something, eh?" said the planter, eagerly catching at the bait thrown out for him. not mind a trifle. You see I don't oppose the road, but if you'll turn to the left, and it won't be much expense, why I'll stand it,"

"Let me see," said Beau, counting his fingers, "forty and forty is eighty, and one hundred. Yes, two hundred dollars will do it." Unrolling a large map, intersected with lines running in every direc tion, he continued;-" There is your house, and here's the road. Air line. You see, to move to the left, we must excavate this hill. As we are desirous of retaining the good will of parties residing on the route, I'll agree on the part of the company to secure the alteration, and prevent your house from being molested."

The planter revolved the matter in his mind for a moment, and exclaimed :—

"You'll guarantee the alteration ? "

"Give a written document."

"Then, it's a bargain."

The planter, without more delay, gave Beau an order on his city factor, for the stipulated sum, and received in exchange a written document, guaranteeing the freedom of the kitchen from any encroachment by the C. L R. R. Co.

Before leaving, Beau took the planter to one side, and requested him not to disclose their bargain until after the railroad was built.

"You see, it mightn't exactly suit the views of some people-partiality, you know."

The last remark, accompanied by a suggestive wink, was returned by the planter in a similar demonstration of owlishness.

Beau resumed his theodolite, drove a few stakes on the hill opposite, and proceeded onward in the fulfilment of his duties. As his light figure receded into obscurity, and the distance, the planter caught a sound vastly like 40-40-120-200.-And that was the last he ever heard of the railroad,

・

STRONG INDUCEMENT FOR THE MEN TO CLOSE UP.

A Cincinnati paper, in speaking of the overthrow of the rebels at Phillippi, says that just before the Federal troops entered the town, a certain Indiana company, almost worn out with the march, were straggling along with very little regard to order. Hurrying up to his men the captain shouted, "Close up, close up? If the enemy were to fire when you're straggling along that way, they couldn't hit a cussed one of you! Close up!" And the boys closed up immediately.

DO THEY EVER THINK OF ME AT HOME?

BY FRANCIS B. MURTHA.

Do they ever think of me at home
As they gather round the hearth,
Their merry voices ever mingling

In sweet songs of joy and mirth?
Do they still my memory cherish,
Or has time ignored the past?
Has absence cooled the kindred feeling
That once glowed so warm and fast?

Tell me, thou bright and glittering star,
That decks night's pale, tranquil brow,
Are those dear friends still gay and happy?
Are they thinking of me now?

Say yes, thou true and faithful watcher !
Though far away from them I roam,
And many oceans are between us,
They still think of me at home.

O, tell me truly, now I charge thee,
Is contentment smiling there?
Or, has love and pleasure, joy and mirth,
Given place to sad despair?

In all their merry social circles,
Where bright mirth is flowing free,
In all their cares and troubles,

Do they ever think of me?

THE STRANGER: or, A DARING ADVENTURE.

The scene of our tale is the parlor, or large hall for the reception of travelers, in an old inn in Yorkshire. Around the large chimney-place is a goodly company assembled; and whilst the logs crackle on the hearth, and the flames go blazing upward, farmer Hunt delivered himself of the following story:

I am going to tell you an incident which happened in my grandfather's lifetime, (commenced old Hunt;) and from my grandfather's lips I myself heard it, as I sat on his knees, when a child.

"One fair afternoon," said the venerable gentleman, "about the end of August, putting on my hat and picking up my cane, I walked out of the house, and directed my steps toward The Unicorn,' to have a smoke and confab, as was my wont, with Miles Tottingham, who was the first proprietor of this inn. The air was delicious-not at all warm; and as the road from my farm to the inn ran through a wood, the foliage of whose trees overspread the path, I had a most delightful walk. The little birds, hopping from twig_to twig in playful sport, and singing merrily, seemed to enjoy the beautiful afternoon as much as I did.

"I had not walked very far, when the clatter of horses' hoofs saluted my ears from behind; and, turning round, I perceived a man, mounted on a little black mare, fast approaching. He was dressed in a very handsome blue-velvet coat, adorned with lace; and a little three-cornered hat, feathered on the edges, was set jauntily upon his head. His cheeks were full, and covered with bushy red whiskers, and his complexion healthful and ruddy. As he rode up to me, touching his hat and drawing in his little mare, he said:

"Good-evening to you, friend. Whither do you wend your way?'

"To the Unicorn inn,' I answered. 'Will you not accompany me there?'

"Luckily my course tends thither likewise,' he said.

"We then entered into a conversation upon various topics-among which was The Unicorn inn and its history.

asked.

"Who was the owner of the building when it was sold to Tottingham?' my companion "A certain old fellow of the family of Munton, sir-Robert by name. He was a discontented, reserved old gentleman, and, in a fit of displeasure with one of his servants, concerning some repairs to the mansion, he sold the house and left this part of the country. Miles Tottingham was the purchaser.'

"We had by this time emerged from the wood, and were in sight of the little inn-at the door of which we perceived some travelers, dismounting from their horses and entering the house. "We will have company,' said my comrade.

"Yes, I perceive so, I answered. 'Whom do you take them for?'

"They seem to be officers of justice. And see!' he continued; 'one of them is reading a proclamation at the door; for the inmates of the tavern are collecting around him.'

said.

"They are on the track of some rascally highwayman, or some other infringer of the laws,' I

"I will ride forward and see what is going on. Hi! Bess,' he cried, And giving his mare a cut with the whip, galloped off.

"In a few moments I arrived at the Unicorn, but too late to hear the proclamation. Miles was standing on the lawn in front of the house; and him I addressed :