Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1879 — Indian Gamblers. [ARTICLE]

Indian Gamblers.

The Indians have gay times gambling every Sunday afternoon upon the hiu back of town. The gambling is done with bundles of sticks. The Indians range themselves in a circle and keep up a continuous chant as the game proceeds. The Indians of one tribe pool their money against that of the other tribe, and then one of the number “ casts the lot.” The sticks are of hard wood, about eight inches in length, and about twice the thickness of broomstraws. They are all white, except one, which has a black stripe about an inch wide around the center. The dealer places the sticks behind him and divides them into two separate bunches, holding his hands closely about the center. Then one of the opposite tribe makes a guess as to which hand contains the black stick. The sticks are then scattered out on a blanket, and it is thus ascertained which side wins One side retains the deal as long as the other side fails to guess right, but as soon as a good guess is made the deal changes. The dealing side also furnishes the vocal music, which invariably has a tin accompaniment. No word is spoken between the opposite players. Everything is indicated by gesture. To persons who have never seen them gamble in this manner it is an interesting performance.— Arcola (Cal.) Leader.

—Two ladies, both over forty-five, but each still young in her own eatimntion, are traveling on the continent together. They send letters home, of course. Mme. de B. writes to her friend: “I am delighted with my traveling companion. Mrs. de C. is a truly adorable woman. She takes care of me in a most motherly way.” And Mme. de C. writes exactly the same thing to her friend. Naturally the two letters are read to an admiring circle of ladies and gentlemen, and they laugh a good deal over this highly ridiculous pair, each of whom is trying to pass for the other’s daughter.— Forney's Progress. ' —The four largest Presbyterian congregations in this country are: DrCuyler’B, Brooklyn, with 1,685 mem. bers; Dr. Talmage’s, Brooklyn, with 1,658; Dr. Tucker’s, New York, with 1,600; and Dr. Hall’s, New York, with 1,570. . i