Delaware State journal, advertiser and star. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1832-1833, 1833-05-21

presenting striking contrast to the rude neg
lgence of the rest of the furniture; while a
large canopy suspended over the table, and
to collect and refract the rays Of a |
number of well trimed lamps, which hung
within the circumference, she'd an intense |
brilliance over that little spot, and threw a
corresponding gloom upon the surrounding |
scene. Indeed if that gay altar of dissipation
had been withdrawn, the temple OF pleasure
would have presented rather the desolate APP
pearance of the house Of mourning.
The stained and dirty floor was atrewed
with Pigments of scgars, play bills and mt
shells; the walls blackened with smoke, SEEM
ed to have witnessed the orgeries Of many a
midnight revel. A few candles, destined to|
illumine the distant recess of the room, hung
neglected against the walls--bowng their
long wicks, and marking their stations by
streams of tallow, which had been suffered
to accumulate through many long winter
night. The ceiling was hung with cobwebs,
curiously ntermingled with dense clouds Of
tobacco smoke, and tinged by the struggling
rays of light, which occasionly shot from the
sCkly tapers. A set of benches, attached to
the walls, land raised sufficiently high to over
look the table, accommodated the loungers,
who were not engaged at play, and who sat
or reclned, solemnly putting their segars,idly
slipping their brandy and water, or industri-
ously counting the chances of the game but
all observing profound silence. (which would
have done hsnor to turbaned divan, and was
we'll suited to the important subjects of their
contemplation. Little coteries of gayer spir-
its laughed and chatted aside, or made their
criticisms on the players in subdued accents;
ANY remarks on that subject being forbid
den to all but the parties engaged; while the
marker announced the state ofthe game trim
med the lamps, and supplied refreshments to
the guests.
| Mr.. ST. Clair, the gentleman whom we have
taken the liberty of tracing to this varied
scene, was cordially greeted on his entrance
by the party at the table who had been de-
nouncing the adverse elements which had
caused the absence of several of their choi-
cest spirits. The game at which they were
then playing being one which admitted OF an
indefinite number Of players, ST. Clair was
readily permitted to take bail; and engaging
with ardor IN the fascinating amusen ent, was
soon lost to all that occurred beyond the little
circle Of its witchery.
The intense GOODNESS of the night was 81
severely felt in the badly warmed apartment
(-,.s,;es.4 ire l,aso attempted 80 Aeseri1c, tha
the party broke up earlier than usual. ON
bv one dropped off, until St. Clair and anoth
err of the PLAYERS were left alone.-These, be
ing both skilful, engaged each other singh
handed. and became SO deeply interested. a
scarcely to observe the detection of thei
companions, until they found the room entire
|ly deserted. The night was far spent. Ih'
marker, whose services were no longer re
ouired. was nodding over the CRATE; the can
thouph a steady briliance still fell upon thu
table, the back ground was as dark as it wa
solitary.
The most careless observer might have re
marked the great disparity Of character ex
. bibited in the two players, who now match
ed their skill in this graceful and fascinating
game. ST. Clair was genteel young man,
.. shont five and twenty His manners had al
!. the ease of one accustomed to the best socie
: tv: his countenance was open and proposes
siinp. his whole demeanor frank and manly
There was careless gaiety in his air. happil!
blended with an habitual pollteness and dig
nifty of carriage, which added mucn TO the or
binary praces of youth and amiability. Hi
featnres d;splayed no trace of thought or Sc
nius. for Mr., ST. Clair was one OF that larg
class. who please without design and with
ont talent and who, by dint OF light heart
and graceful exterors, thrive better in thl
world. than those who think and feel NOR
acutely. Feeling he had, butt was rathe
amiable than deep; and his understandin
thmph solid. was of that plain and practica
kind which though adapted to the ordinar
> business life seldom expands itself to gras
at any object beyond the narrow sphere:
was very evident that he had known ne1the
= guile nor sorrow. In his brief Jonrne
. through life, he had yet trod only III no"
. ery paths; and having passed Joyonsiy aions
: was not aware that the snares which cate
! the feet of the unweary, lie ambushed in til
= sunn;est spots of our existence. lie was
man of small fortune, and was happily MARI
:. ed to a lovely young woman, to whom ne wa
:. devotedlv attached, and who, when she bt
6 slowed her hand, had given him the entir
- nossession of a warm and spotless heart. The
had lately arrived at Pittsburg, and being
, bont to settle in some part OF the westeI
country. had determined to spend the enst
, ;np snrinp and summer in this city, whei
;. Mrs. St. Clair might enjoy the comforts
: good society until her husband prepare
their future residence for her reception'
!, His opponent was some ten years oio'
: than himself. short, thin' stralsh. man
% with keen eye and salow comPiexion.'
2 He was one Of those persons who may I
!. seen in shoals at the taverns and gamoiin
= houses of large town, and who mingle VIII
:. better people in stage coaches and steaH
~ heats. He had knocked about the world
% his own expression was, until, ike ah
=, coin whose original impression hao oe'
y worn off. he had few marks lett by whch !,
"a birth or country could be traced out III
- that same coin, the surface only was altere
~ .ha h.se metal was unchanged. II ape
,v the rentillity which he did not possess, al
y ,ras eamh;tious of shining both in dress an
a.. manners but nature, when she placed n,
- in low condition, had never intended
a, should rise above it. -. =,
a. a. II is unfortunate for such people, that, III
~ y. bvnocrites in religion, demagogues in pollti
ne and empires of all sorts, they always owe