Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-06-18
AN UNCOMMON PARTNER AT CARDS,
From the British Magazine.)

AN UNCOMMON PARTNER AT CARDS
From the British Magazine)
In our regiment. whilst in the East Indies,
were several wild Young fellows, none more so
than [ and as our life there was very monoto-
nous, the officers betook themselves 10 gaming.
One day, after dinner cards were brought and all
of us entered with such energy into the tascinat-
inc game, that every thing else was IN a manner
neglected At length we changed il, and betook
ourselves in couples TO separate games. / and
Ensign A.. as gay and rallish rascal as
ever turned out from England, that we might pur-
sue our game uninterupiedly, ordered the servant
10 carry out INTO sort Of summer house decan-
ter or two of wine, aud the cards; and thithcr we
soon followed We played with intense eager
ness for several hours, till grew so dark that we
could hardly see what was before us.--l had been
the rainer all the evening. "Come, A., said
7. addressing my companion, 81 am sure it's high
nine we should quit the cards and return, orweye
. GOOD deal Ofrerimental business 20 do 20 night.
.Stay. -. and finish the game you Will not
move an inch till then. 81 tell YOU f.
must and viii be gone why should we thus make
Toll of pleasure, and beside gam another rebuke
from the Colonel I'll away. "Stay and try one
more game" said A., having his hand on my
ARMAND I'll win back what I've lostl' 81
may tomorrow, bur now, 90 | viii, "Ihen
renlied nv companion. ''ifyoudo 90, III stop and
finish the game if have the devil for my part
nerT' "a merry game, and pleasant compni-
ON TO you--larewell o. SAID l. and left the room.
hastened 10 my own apartment where had a
GOOD deal of regimental business 10 transact.
had not been so engaged long, when the door was
flung hastily open, and in rushed Ensign A.,
and his ewes staring with horror and his cheek as
pale AS marble. lie sat down on q chair, looked
iixedlv on me, but without speaking word !
called for wine, and got him to swallow little.
The cold perspiration burst from his forehead, "
his eyes glared into every corner OF the room, as
though apprehensive that some wild beast was
ready TO spring upon him. "Why, A., said
/, shaking him, s'what is the matter with YOU
Are youmad. He made no answer, except by a
Faint 1nurmuring kind OF distinct yvhsPor. "Are
You frightened--or--or what continued ], mo-
tioning 10 the servant to leave the room. by de-
grees my companion became composed.
ooh. Il" said he, family and slowly--"l
ann lost man--a dead man "Pshaw, good
fellow, wha. is the matter with youl You've been
too free with the wine and that added TO your
heated spirits, has nearly overturned your BRAN.
"No. r." he replied 81 am sober now, At |
never was in my life. But my days on earth are
numbered Next Tuesday i shall no longer be
am inhabnant of this world :" There was some
thing so indescribably etectng, l may say shock
inc. in the deep deliberate tone OF voice with
which ne uttered this, as well as the steady ashy
hue of his countenance, that / SAT down by his
side without speaking. Atlength taking his hand
IN mine l asked him, in as soothing a manner as
was able, what had caused hls terror. Doyou
remember what ! said, T, on your leaving
me to night" Faith, yes; was 1t not that YOU
would play if YOU had the devil for your parnerl
.SYes replied A., with a s.ckcning smile
/ II did so--and he took me at my word = he COM
tinmd gasping, as flor breath. "Nly--Why--"
stammercd ! partakng Of has Why,
/ f., YOU don't mean TO say that--' 81
mean simply this replied my companion, with
dreadful calmness, "that Satan has taken me Al my
word A few moments after you bad lefl me,
/ leaned my head on my hands, and shut my eyes.
/ Immediately ] heard a rusthng among the cards
/ on the table before me. / started and---' a con-
yuisive shuddenng shook his frame, .'there SAT
opposite 10 me, in the chair which You had just
/ left vacant a tall, pale MIN, dressed In black,
! WHY. how in the --'s name did YOU come
herol" said !, in amazement. Go finish the
game with YOU as YOU wished, said tho stranger
deliberately no the same time arranging the cards
/ saw thar ms hands were as Wiile as aliUuelei,
and be put the cards in order with amazing care
and skill lie offered me a pack. "Wfy-why
who are YOU, and whence did you comet" stam-
mored ], at the same time that my eyes seemed
dancing ia my head and my knees smote together
with agitation Il come 10 finish the game with
} You at your own request, said the stranger pre-
cisclviu the same tone and manner as before.
/ would have answered but my tongue Glove 10 the
roof of my routh. ''Why DO you not take tho
cardsl'' said the stranger in ahollow tonc.-"WI
YOU finish the game according 70 your promised
I "N-oW / conuiyed 10 stammer out. His eve,
glared on me, as though bis head was filed viii
vivid fire. lie rose and bending his fendish face
| close 20 mine Numbered in my ear, "Tms nigh
week, then, thou shalt finish It In hell Ny eve,
/ closed unconsciously, as though they would neye
open again; when I looked up, however, none
but myself was in the room, and as fast as my
Trembling limbs would carry me, have I come
hither Oh. +, / arm a dead man - am
doomed II am doomedl" Such was the fear
I ful narrative of Ensign A. We got him
to bed. a delerim seized him, tie brain fever
followed and that night week be died.
80