— A young man made a victim, — Incident,— Result of desperation, — Arrive at Wilmington, — Great preparations for Henry Clay, — Description of the road, — Arrive at "Weldon, — Introduction to Mr. Clay, — Arrive at Washington, — Ship to be blown up, — Torpedo, — Meet Mr. King, — Invitation to visit House of Kepresentatives,— Great Excitement, — Account of the blowing up, — Exciting scene in the house, — Laughable story, — Confusion of members, — Nothing occurs for several years, — Myself and friend visit a tract of land in Athens, — Conversation with a negro, — His story, — Learns to read, — Employment on board a packet, — Secreted on Board a Boston ship, — Arrives in Boston, — Sails as cook, — Arrive at Portland, — Take stage for Augusta, — Leave Augusta for Skowhegan, — Incident and story on the way, — Arrive at Skowhegan, — Further about the affair.
On board the steamer, there were a set of fellows which I at once set down for gamblers, nor was I mistaken; they are generally known by their rig and habits, and any one who has travelled through the Southern, or Western states, can always distinguish them by certain unmistakable signs, viz: Inveterate chewers of tobacco, great smokers, large, bushy whiskers, when they can raise them, and sometimes only the moustache, hair, nice and sleek, generally curled or frizzled, a massive ring on the little finger of the right hand, with two or three others distributed among the digits; a very large and apparently valuable watch establishment, with a very poor watch attached. Ileal gamblers are seldom addicted to drinking ardent spirits, reserving their wTits as their stock in trade, and when together, often have some trifling incident which elicits the broad, silly laugh.
Among the passengers was a young man about twenty years of age, who had with him a black leather valise, which he put in his state-room, opposite where I was then sitting; then came into the cabin, locked his state-room door. After the supper table had been cleared, preparation was made for playing cards. I took a seat near by, determined to watch the proceeding as closely as possible. The young man with the valise made one of the party, three of the gamblers making up the rest, while two others were apparently careless lookers-on. Now for the villany. Each of these lookers-on had a small, ivory-headed cane, which I could plainly see was in continual motion against the back of his comrade.
When they had played nearly an hour, the young man arose, completely fleeced. Champagne was freely supplied of which he frequently drank. I thought of the many gambling scenes that I had read of, but here was one directly before me. The young man took from his pocket a cigar, and with trembling fingers attempted to light it, but suddenly remembering that smoking wTas contrary to the rules in the cabin, replaced the cigar, arose, and pacing the cabin a few times, went to his state-room, brought out his valise, threw it upon the table, saying, " gentlemen, there are seven thousand dollars; the money is not mine, it belongs to my employers; produce a like sum, and I am your man." In a few minutes they declared that the money was ready.
Although there were a number of gentlemen present, not one of. them possessed magnanimity enough to interpose and rescue the young man from impending ruin. It may be asked why I did not interpose, and sure enough, why did I not? But the sequel will show that it needed the interference of more than one. Just as he had thrown the valise upon the table, as though struck with a sudden impulse of conscience, took it again, restored it to his state-room, and closed the door. I left the scene and went upon deck. Not long after I had left the cabin, one of the passengers came up, and told me there wras trouble below; that one of the gamblers went to the young man's state-room, and presenting a loaded pistol, told him as they had been bullied into the stake, he must come out and put up his money or he would blow his brains out.
He rushed to the table, played, lost his money, and was ruined! Young reader, do you ever play cards? if so, remembei' the fate of this young man! Before finishing my narrative, I shall have occasion to refer to other scenes similar to the one just described and of which I was also an eyewitness. On arriving at Wilmington, found the place "alive with Henry Clay! " They had prepared an extra train of cars to convey him and a large company of volunteers, to Weldon. On the rear car, a gun was mounted with which to announce his approach to the several stations, where the inhabitants, having been notified, collected in order to greet the great statesman.