The Ace of Hearts.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 73, 25 October 1884, Page 5

The Ace of Hearts.

Some years ago the Mississippi River was famous for its floating palaces, as the large steamers plying betwoen Now Orleans and the ports above were called. Many professional gamblers used to make these boats their home, travelling back and forth on them, fleecing all who were foolish and verdant enough to fall into their hands So well, indeed, was the system managed that the various members seemed to have their different steamers marked out for them by common consent, so that no ono would trespass upon the domain of the other. One of the most remarkable men of this class was Daniel Sturdivant, a Frenchman, the son of a broken-down scion of nobility, who had settled in New Orleans before the transfer of Louisiana to the United States. Sturdivant had beon raised a " gentleman " by his aristocratic father, but on coming of age and finding his fortune very bad, had taken to cards as a moans to better them. His success was so great that he was induced to continue it, until he was one of the most notorious gamblers to be found between St. Louis and New Orleans. About twenty years ago, at the time of which I write, ho had attached himself to one of the splendid steamers plying between New Orleans and Vicksburg, and had publicly announced his determination to shoot any man who encroached upon his scono of operations. Of course, this left him in undisputed possession of the field, and ho reapod a goldon harvest during the nino years ho had conducted his operations there It was my lot at tho time to bo compelled to make very frequent trips between New Orleans and Vicksburg, and I preferred the steam or of which Sturdivant had taken possession, inasmuch as it was not only the most comfortable but also the swiftest, and time was of the utmost importance to me. It was known that at times I carried large sums of money, and I was always apprehensive lest Sturdivant should ask me to play. 1 mado up my mind to refuse him, and if he attempted to draw me into a quarrel, to shoot him without mercy, as I knew that the only chance of my lifo lay in getting tho advantage over him. Strange to say, he did not make any such proposition to me, and I took care to give him no chance to do so. One night wo had struck out from Vicksburg, and woro hoading down the river, when Sturdivant came towards the group that was gathered around tho stove. Ho had boon drinking, and was smoking a fino cigar as he approachod. "Well, gentlemen," ho said, in an unsteady tono, " you seem to bo terribly dull. Who wants to play for twenty dollars ante?" There was no reply. No one volunteered to place himself in his clutches. "Humph!" he exclaimed, with an expression of contempt. "Afraid to try your luck witli Daniel Sturdivant, eh ? Or, maybe you want a little coaxing. I can't stand such treatment. Come, let's see who it shall he." He glanced round the crowd as if to select his victim, and, for the first time, I noticed the ga/e of one of the group fixed steadily upon him. lie was a stranger to me, and was dressed in plain homespun, and his face was partly concealed by a broad- brimmed sombrero which was draw n over it. He was a small but powerfully-made man, and in the decided expression of his well-shaped head I read an unusual firmness and intensity of purpose. "Are you Daniel Sturdivant, the gambler ?" he asked in a calm tone. "Some persons call me so behind my back," he said insolently, "but no one would dare apply that term to my face." "Nevertheless," said the stranger quietly, "I want an answer — yes or no." " Well, then, I am !" said the gamblor angrily. "What of it?" " Simply this," replied the stranger. "I have heard it said that you claim to be the best card-player in tho south-west, and I have come two hundred miles to prove you a liar." Sturdivant strode forward a step or two, and put his hand into his breast quickly as if to draw a weapon. "Stop!" said the stranger. "If you shoot me, you will simply prove yourself airaid of me. Take your seat at the table, and I will proceed to make my word good." There was something in the calm, stern manner of the stranger that seemed to render the gambler powerless. He hesitated a moment, and then said in a bullying tone :—: — "I never play with a man whose face I cannot look at." "Never mind my face," said tho stranger. "If you are not afraid of losing, you shall see it when I'm done with you." "But how do I know that you have money for such sport?" persisted Sturdivant. "You look seedy, my fine fellow." "There!" exclaimed the stranger. "I have ten thousand dollars there. If you can win it you shall have it." With an oath Sturdivant placed himself at the table, and bade his challenger do likewise. Those of us who had listened to this singular dialogue now gathered around the table, expecting to see a game of more than usual interest. The stranger had not raised his hat-brim, and none of us had yet seen his face ; but we all felt from his general air and manner that Daniel Sturdivant had at last met his match. It did not take long to show us that the stranger was an unusually good player, and for an hour or more the playing went on in silence. The stakes were high, and the contest was marked with rare skill. Sturdivant exerted himself as he had never done before, but in spite of all his efforts he lost heavily, and by the expiration of the time mentioned above he had lost about two thousand dollars. I noticed the flush on his face deepened, a strange light came into his eyes, and at last, with an exclamation of triumph, he drew towards him tho heap of notes. " That was well done," said the stranger. " You are an expert at cheating, but go on. I can beat you, Daniel Sturdivant, whether you play openly or dishonestly." Sturdivant said nothing, but dealt the cards again. The hand was played, and Sturdivant was about to seize the stakes again, when the stranger laid down a card and checked him. The gambler uttered a sharp cry and sat motionless, with his eyes fixed on the cai'd, a worn, faded ace of hearts, with a dark stain across the face. Sturdivant's face worked convulsively as he gazed at it, and the spectators gathered more closely around the two, wondering at the strange scene. "In God's name, who are you ?" asked Sturdivant, his eyes still fixed on the card. " Look at me," said the stranger quietly. And, as if powerless to resist, Sturdivant raised his eyes to the speaker. The stranger had raised his hat and sat looking at the trembling man, with eyes that fairly blazed with fury. Sturdivant uttered a groan and sank back in his chair, his iace white and rigid. The stranger gathered the money from the table with one sweep, and thrust it into his bosom. " The ace of hearts is an unlucky card for you, Daniel Sturdivant," he said coolly.. "You played it once when you thought it to your advantage. Now, God help you : that play is ended \'\ As he spoke he raised a pistol which we had not seen, and before we could stop him aimed and fired. The gambler fell heavily upon the table, a corpse, hiding the fatal card from sight)

I " Gontlemen," said the stranger, rising to his feet, as we stood paralysed, with horror at the dreadful scene, " that man ruined by wife and tried to murder me. I have been hunting him for more than ten years.' He walked slowly by us down the stairway to the lower deok, and just then the stoamor touched at the landing, and he sprang ashore and vanished in the dark woods.