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


ignorance; and by going to the extreme
of every fashion, was always too well
dressed for gentleman. In short he
was gambler, who roamed from town
to town; preying upon young libertines,
and old debauches; and employed as
much ingenuity in his vocation as
would set up half a dozen lawyers, and
as mnch industry as would make the
fortunes of half a dozen mechanics.
Such we're the players who were left
together, like the last champions at a
tounament-who, after vanquishing
all their competitors, now turned their
arms against each other. For a while
they displayed a courtesy which seem.
ed to be the effect of respect for each
others skill. II was natural to St.
Clair; in the gambler it was assumed.
The latter having found the opportuni.
ty he had long eagerly sought, soon
began to practice the arts of his pro-
fession. The game ofbilliards, requir.
ing great precision Of eye and steadi-
ness of hand, can only be played well
by one who is completely master of his
temper, the experienced opponent of St.
Clair essayed to touch string on
which he had often worked with sue.
cess.
"You are married man, believer
said he.
ayes, sir"
"That was a bad play-you had
nearly missed the ball."
"You spoke to me just as I was strik-
ing" said st. Clair, good humoredly.
"Oh, | beg pardon. Where did you
learn to play billiards."
''ln Philadelphia"
"Do they understand the gamei"
81 have seen some very fine play
ers there"
"Very likely. But doubt whether
they play the scientific game. New
Orleans is the only place. There they
go it in style. See there now! That
was very bad play of yours. You
played on the wrong ball."
NO, SIT, WIS right
"Pardon me, sir. | profess to un-
derstand this game. There was an
canon on the table when you aimed to
pocket the white ball."
"You are Mistaken" said st. Clair.
"Oh, very well! ! meant no offence!
Now mark how | shall count off these
balls. Do you see thatl There's play
for you! You say that you are mar
ried mani"
81 said so. What then?'
81 thought as much by your play"
"What has that to do with it,"
"Why, you married men are accus-
toned to early hours, and get sleepy
earlier than we do"
81 did not think | had shown any
symptoms of drowsiness."
"Oh, no! ! meant no allusion. There
is another bad play of yours.
"You will find | play sufficiently
we'll before we are DONE"
"Oh! no doubt. | meant nothing.
You play an elegant game. But then
you married men get scared when it
grows late. No man can play billiards
when he is in hurry to 60 home. A
married gentleman can't help thinking
of the sour looks and cross answers he
is apt to get, when he gets home after
midnight"
81 will thank you to make no such
illusions to me-" said st. Clair. / am
neither scared nor sleepy, but able to
beat you as long as you please"
"Oh, very well! | don't value my.
self on playing. Shall we double the
bet, and have another bottle of wine?'
"If you please"
"Agreed. Now do your best, or
shall beat YOU"
Pestered by his impertinence, ST.
Clair lost several games. His want
of success added to his impotence; ano
his tormentor continued to vex hin
with taunting remarks, until his agita.
ton became uncomfortable. He drank
to steady his nerves, but drink only
infamed his passion. He doubled, ire
bled, quadrupled the bet to change hi:
luck, but in vain. Every desperate
attempt urged him towards his ruin
| and it was happy for him that his natu'
raj good sense enabled him to stop be,
fore his fate was consummated, though
not until he had lost large sum.
Vexed with his had fortune, st. Clail
left the house of dissipation, and turn
ed his reluctant steps towards his owr
dwelling. His slow and thoughtful
pace was now far different from the
usual lightness ofhis graceful carriage
1t was not that he feared the frown o
his lovely wife, for to him her brow
had been always unclouded, and hel
lips had only breathed affection. Sh.
was one of those gentle beings whose