Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-10
A GAMBLING SCENE.
JOIN BRANCH.
Erona the Young DuSe-by The author Of Vtriaa
Graz.

FROM me founS DuSe-Oy me aMhof o. PVIWt
Gruy
rive beg to lay before our readers, as a spe-
cimen of the work, the following gambling scene,
a high rank as novelist. We do not rccollect
any thing of the kind in work of fiction, as be-
ing more effective.
The Young Duke had accepted the invitation
of the Baron de Berghem for Tomorrow, and &C
cordingly himself, Lords Castlefort and Dice.
and Temple Grace, assembled in Brunswick Ter
race at the usual hour. The dinner was studi-
ously plain, and very little vine was drunk; yet
every thing was perfect Tom Cogit stepped in
to carve, in his usual silent manner. fle always
came in and went out OF a room without any one
observing him. He winked fam'liary to Temple
Grace, but scarcely presumed to bow to the
Duke. He was very busy about the wine, and
dressed the wildfowl in manner quite unpar-
alleled. Tom Cogit was the man for sauce for
brown bird. What mystery he made Of it,
Cayenne aud Burgundy, and lines were the i'll
gradients, but there was a magic i'll the incanta-
ton. with which he alone was acquainted. He
took particular care TO send most perfect por-
ton to the young Duke, and he did this as he
paid all attention to influential strangers, with
the most marked consciousness of the sufferance
which permitted his presence: never addressing
- Take this to the Dukes" or asking the attend.
ant ~ whether his Grace would try the hermi-
tasef''
After dinner, with the exception of Cogit, who
was busted in compounding some wonderful L.
auid for their future reireshment, they sat down
to Etdrie. Without having exchanged word
upon the subject, there seemed a general under
standing among all the parties that tonight was
to be pitched battle, and they began at once,
very briskly. Yet, in spite of their universal
determination, midnight arrived without any
thing very decisive. Another hour passed over.
and the n Tom Cosit kept touching the Baron's
elbow, and whispering in voice which every
body conld understand All this meant, that
supper was ready. 1t was brought into the room.
Gaming has one advantage-it gives you an
appetite: that is to say. as long as you have
chance remaining The Duke had thousarnls,-
for, at present, his resources were unimpalred,
aud he was exhausted by the constant attention
and anxiety for five hours. He passed over the
dellcacies, and went TO the side-table. aud be-
gan cutting himself some cold roast beef. Tom
Cosit ran up. not to his Grace, but to the Baron,
to announce the shocking fact. that the Duke Of
ST. James was enduring great trouble; and then
the Baron asked his Grace TO permit Mr.. Co.
git to serve him. Our hero devoured--I use the
Commons-he devoured the roast beef, and re-
iecting the hermitage with d;s:ust, asked for
porter.
They sat to again, fresh as eagles. At SIX
o'clock, accounts were so complicated, that they
stopped to make up their books. Each played
with his memorandum and his pencil at his side.
Nothing fatal had yet happened The Duke
owed Lord Dice about five thousand pounds. and
Temple Grace, owed him as many hnndreds;-
Lord Casteford also was his debtor to the tune of
seven hundred and fifty, and the Baron was in his
books, but slightly Every half hour they had
new pack of cards, and threw the used one on
the floor. All this time, Tom Cogt did nothing
but snuff the candles. stir the fire, bring them
new pack, and occasionally make tumbler for
them.
At eight o'clock the Dukes situation was
worsened. The run was greatly against him,
and perhaps his losses were doubled. He pull.
ed up again the next hour or two; but neverthe-
less at ten O'clock. owed every one something.
No one offered to give over; and every one, per-
haps. felt. tha. his object was not obtained -
They made their toettes, and went down stars
to breakfast. n the mean time, the shutters
were opened, The room aired, and in less than an
hour they were at il again.
They played till dinner time without inter
mission; and though the Duke made some des-
perate eti,r,s, and some successful ones, his loss
es were, nevertheless, trebled. Yet he ate an
excellent dinner, and was not at all depressed;
because the more he lost, the more his courage
aud resources seemed to expand. At first. he
had limited himself to ten thousand: after break
fast it was to have been twenty thousand; then
thirty thousand was the ultimatum; and now he
dismissed all thoughts of limits from his mind.
and was determined to risk or gain every thing.
At midnight, he lost forty.eight thousand
pounds. Affairs now began to be serious. His
supper was not so hearty While the rest were
eating. he walked about the room, and began to
limit his ambition to recovery. and not to gain.
When you play to win back. the fun is over;
there is nothing to recompense you for your bo-
Oily tortures and your degraded feelings; and
the very best result that happen. while ii has
no charms, seems to your. cowed mind impossi-
BILE.
On they PLAYED, and the Duke lost more. His
mind was jaded. He floundered-he made des-
perate efforts, but plunged deeper in the slough.
Feeling that, to regain his ground. each card must