Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-09-19

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counting the chance of the game, but
all observing profound silence, which
would have done honor TO a turbaned
divan, and was we'll suited to the i'm.
portant subject of their contemplation.
Little coteries of gayer spirits laughed
and chatted aside, or made their criti-
cisms on the players in subdued accents
any remarks on that subject being
forbidden to any but the parties en-
gagged; while the marker announced
the state Of the game, trimmed the
lamps, and supplied refreshments to
the guests.
Mr.. st. Clair, the gentleman whom
we have taken the liberty oftracing to
this varied scene, was cordially greeted
on his entrance by the party at the ia
BILE, who denounced the adverse ele-
ments which had caused the absence of
several of their choicest spirits. The
game at which they were then playing
| being one which admitted of an indefi-
mite number of players, st. Clair was
readily permitted to take a ball; and
engaged with ardor in the fascinating
amusement, was soon lost to all that
occurred beyond the little circle of it's
witchery.
The intense GOODNESS of the night
was so severely felt in the badly warm
| ed apartment which we have attempted
to describe, that the party broke up
earlier than usual. One by one they
dropped of, until st. Clair and another
| the players were left alone. These,
being both skilful, engaged each other
single handed, and became so deeply
interested as scarcely to observe the
| detection of their companions, until
they found the room entirely deserted.
The night was far spent. The mark
er, whose services we're no longer re-
quired, was nodding over the crate;
the candles were wasting in their sock
cts; and although steady brilliance
still fell on the table, the back ground
was dark as it was solitary.
The most careless observer might
have remarked the great disparity of
character exhibited in the two players
| who now matched their skill in this
graceful and fascinating game. St.
Clair was a gcnteel young man of a.
bout fve-and.twenty. His manners
had all the ease ofone accustomed to
the best society; his countenance was
open and progressing; his whole de-
meanor frank and manly. There was
a careless gaiety in his air, happily
blended with an habitual politeness
and dignity of carriage, which added
much to the ordinary graces of youth
and amiability. His features display
ed no traces Of thought or genius; for
Mr.. St. Clair was one of that large
class who please without design, and
without talent, and who, by dint flight
hearts and graceful exteriors, thrive
better in this world than those who
think and feel more acutely. Feeling
| he had, but it was rather amiable than
| deep; and his understanding, though
solid, was of that plain and practical
kind, which though adapted to the or
binary business of life, seldom expands
itself to grasp any object beyond this
narrow sphere. 1t was very evident
| he had known neither guile nor sorrow.
In his brief journey through life, he
had as yet ,rod only in flowery paths;
and having passed joyously along, was
not aware that the snares which catch
| the feet OF the unwary lie ambushed in
the sunniest spots Of our existence. He
was man of small fortune, and was
! happily married to a lovely young wo-
man, to whom he was devotedly at
tached; and who, when she bestowed
her hand, had given him the entire
possession of warm andspotless heart.
They had lately arrived at Pittsburg,
and being about to settle in some part
of the western country, had determin-
ed to spend the ensuing spring and sum.
mer in this city, where Mrs. st. Clair
might enjoy the comforts of good soci.
ETY. until her husband prepared their
i. future residence for her reception.
\ His opponent was some ten years
older than himself; a short, thin, strait
man-with keen eye, and sallow com.
, plexion. He was one of those persons
who may be seen in shoals at the ia.
J verns and gambling houses of a large
town, and who mingle with better peo-
. pie in stage coaches and steamboats,.
He had knocked about the world, as
t his own expression was, until like an
old coin whose original impressions
!. had been worn off, he had but few
: marks left by which the birth or coun.
o try could be traced. But like that
!. same coin, the surface only was alter
!. ed-the base metal was unchanged
!. He aped the gentility which he did no
!. possess, and was ambitious of shining