Rose Seven The Gambler

By Christopher Charles

She looked at her cards. She had all spades (flush). She turned to Laurel.
"I pass," he said and threw his cards in. He glared at Rose, "I can pass too!"
I'm not passing," Clinton said, "I bet two thousand!" He stared at Rose, "You going to pass on this one too?"
She shook her head slowly and placed two thousand in the pot.
"Now deal me one card!" He yelled. He threw away one card from his hand. It flipped over revealing a ten of spades.
Rose looked up at him, "Do I deal you one from the top of the deck or the bottom?"
He looked at her hard, and yelled, "What are you suggesting, Young Lady?"
"Sorry sir," she said. She could feel the tears coming up in her eyes. "I don't know how to play this game. I am only asking."
"From the top!" Clinton snarled.
Rose dealt him the card and looked at him.
"You taking any cards this time?" He asked.
She shook her head.
"Then I bet two thousand!"
She looked at his stomach and noticed the pulse rate had increased. The extra card must have helped him, she thought. "You passing?" He demanded.
Rose shook her head. It was all she could do to keep from crying. The man's voice shook her to the bone. She timidly picked up five thousand dollars.
"You drop that, and I'll smash you in the face," he snarled.
"How much can I put in?"
Clinton looked at his stack of money, "Fifteen hundred!"
Rose counted out fifteen hundred and placed it in the pot. Suddenly Rose felt something hit her feet. It frightened her. She kicked her feet hard and sent Laurel back over his chair. His right foot had five hundred dollars stuck between the toes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher Charles
• Release date: Jan 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781950901333

Book preview

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Copyright 2/21/09

11527513771

This is the Seventh story in the sixteen book series, Rose Chronicles (click).

Other Books By The Author (click)

Ana

Buffalo Boy

Lucky Seven

Detective Harriet Brown Series

Bodhi Series

7 The Gambler

By Christopher Charles

Contents:

Prologue

Breakfast

Learning the Game

Clancy

Prelude to the Game

The O’Neil Brothers

The Fall Out

Prologue

Rose’s mother had forbidden her from playing with cards, but now she was on a riverboat and free. She found she enjoyed playing until Colonel Gatewood’s plantation was at stake. Now she had to save it.

1 Breakfast

Rose woke slightly when the Doctor entered her room and began moving her head around to check her head wound. Molly and Captain Morgan were beside him.

She has a good crease, the Doctor said. I can see why it knocked her unconscious. Course, it’s going to leave a nasty scar. He looked over a bruised mark on her left shoulder. She took a nasty blow here, but I don't think she broke anything. This other arm has some mean looking scars, but they're old ones.

Then she's going to be all right? Captain Morgan asked.

Hearing what she did last night, I'd say the wound didn't do her any harm other than the scaring.

Maybe she can move her hair around to cover it, Molly said.

She's a lucky girl, the Doctor went on. A little to the left and it could have killed her.

Thank God it didn't, Captain Morgan replied.

What was she doing in your pallor to start with, Captain? The doctor asked. She's a little young to be playing cards.

She was only holding them for her father, Molly said.

He's the one who should be getting the whipping here. Leaving her by herself with them two.

I forced the hand, Doctor, Captain Morgan said. It was my fault if anyone's.

Hympt! Seems you've been making a lot of wrong decisions of late. He moved towards the door. Better we let her sleep. I think you people have worn this poor girl out.

When they were in the hallway, the Doctor turned, You pushed this girl and you pushed this boat to extremes. Captain Morgan. You did it all in the name of money. You're one lucky man that this didn't end in tragedy like the Natchez.

Rose barely heard them going down the stairs. Her head stopped hurting after the doctor left her alone. She could feel herself falling into the blackness.

Captain Morgan went ashore to send a wire to the company's office in the city of Natchez. He placed an order for supplies, and quickly returned to his boat. He would have to attempt repairs while they moved up river. He needed help if he was going to have it done before they reached Memphis. He allowed his mind to work on it.

When he reached his boat, he saw a company of soldiers standing on the dock. They were watching the guns being tied down on the forward deck. A tall man was pacing in front of them. He recognized him immediately. It was Colonel Gatewood.

Walking up to him, he smiled, Welcome aboard, Colonel. Your men can board. We need to be leaving as soon as we're tied down.

Colonel Gatewood took Captain Morgan's hand. He squeezed it hard, It is safe to board? Looks as though you need a few repairs.

Sound as a dollar, but we're a little rough around the edges. We just came through one of the worst storms of the year to get here for you.

I appreciate it, Captain, Colonel Gatewood said, You know how much this trip means to me.

Yes sir, that's something we are going to have to talk about.

Colonel Gatewood looked at him closely, That is?

Captain Morgan looked down at the dock a second. Slowly he raised his head and looked the Colonel in the eye. I can't be entertaining folks when my boat is in the condition it's in, he said. No mistake now. I can make the delivery. I just can't be entertaining folks is all. You can understand that.

That's the reason I'm making this trip, Captain! Colonel Gatewood said sternly. You know the value I place on this!

There is a way, sir.

Yes?

I'm picking up supplies in Natchez. Now, if Leonard hadn't broken his leg, we might be able to repair things.

We have the manpower, Captain Morgan, if that's all that's holding us back.

I hate to impose on my passengers, Colonel, but I will promise them all a good show and free use of my bar when we put in at St. Louis for a couple of hours.

Colonel Gatewood turned to his lieutenant standing at attention with his company. You think we can accommodate the Captain, Lieutenant Briggs?

The big man squared his shoulders, Yes sir! I think it is very generous of Captain Morgan to open his bar to us.

Then take the men aboard, Lieutenant, Colonel Gatewood said.

They watched Ted securing the guns. When he finished, he looked up at Captain Morgan, and nodded.

I think we should board, Colonel. We can have breakfast in my cabin.

That would be very kind of you, Captain, Colonel Gatewood replied and boarded after his men.

Captain Morgan looked up at the wheelhouse and shouted. You can take her out when the steam's up, Clancy!

Clancy nodded, We'll be pushing off in five minutes, Captain.

Rose heard part of this but fell back asleep when the boat's big wheel began turning. She woke again when the boat pulled into Natchez to take on wood and supplies.

She heard men shouting directions. The material to repair the damaged saloon below was being brought aboard. She worked her way to the window and looked out. The soldiers were bringing aboard a mirror to replace the one over the bar.

She heard the door open behind her. Whirling around, she saw Molly standing in the doorway with her dress and bloomers sparkling clean.

Good! Molly said, You're awake! Handing Rose her dress, she continued, Here, put this on.

Are we going somewhere? Rose asked after slipping her dress over her head.

We're moving you topside, Molly said, If you're feeling okay.

My shoulder hurts some, but I'm fine.

Then it will be upstairs with you, Molly said. You're to have breakfast with the Captain.

Rose started to leave, when Molly stopped and asked her.

You’re forgetting something?

Rose looked around, I don't think so.

"Your