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

I
guage of his superiors in education, betrayed
his 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 debauchees;
and employing as much ingenuity in his voca-
ton as would set up half dozen lawyers,
/ and as much industry, as would make the
fortunes of half dozen mechanics.
Such were the players who were left to-
gether like the last champions Of tourna-
lmept-who, after vanquishing all their COM
petitors, now turned their arms against each
other. For while they dispayedsa courte- .
sy, which seemed to be the effect of res
peot for each others skill. 1t was natural to
St. Clair; in the gambler it was assumed. The
latter having found the opportunity he had
long eagerly sought, soon began to practice
the arts of his profession. The game of bill
lizards, requiring great precision of eye, and
steadiness of hand, can only be play.d we'll
by one who is completely master Of his tenn
per; and the experienced opponent of St.
Clair essayed to touch string, OH which he
II had often worked with success.
"You are married man, believed" said
he.
.Yes sir,-'
.'Ihat was bad pIay--you had nearly mis-
sed the ball."
i "You spoke to me just as was striking"
said st. Clair good humoredly.
\ "Oh! ! beg pardon. Where did you learn
to play biliards.''
4 ''In Philadelphia
!; Z" DO they understand the game?"
81 have seen some fine players there"
: every likely. But doubt whether they
play the scientific game. New Orleans is
, the only place. There they so it in style.
See there now! That was very bad play
c of yours. Yowplayed on the wrong ball."
'No sir, was right"
Z "Partton me, sir. profess to understand
: this game. There was an easy cannon on
tae table, when you aimed to pocket the white
: ball."
e ''You are mistaken" said St. Clair.
n "Oh, very we'll! meant no offence. Now
IS mark how shall count off these balls. ID
6 you see that! There's play for you! You say
IS you are married mani"
lie 81 said SO. What them"
81 thought as much by your play"
so "What has that to do with it,
Mt "Why, you married men are accustomed
AT - carly hours, and ger sleepy earlier than
nc we do"
h. 81 did not think I had shown any symp-
e. toms of drowsiness."
lie ooh no! meant no alluson. There's ano-
as Their bad play ofyours"
ir "You will find, / play sufficiently we'll be-
e. fore we are DONE"
lie "Oh no doubt. meant nothing, you play
E. an elegant game. But then, YOU married men
n get scared, whenit grows late. No man can
l. play billiards when he is in hurry to go
lie home. A married gentleman can't help
as thinking of the sour looks, and cross answers,
he is apt to get, when he goes home after
E. midnight"
K 81 will thank you to make no such illusions
l. to me-" said St. Clair, 81 am neither scared
Of please"
III "Oh very we'll don't value myself on my
E. playing. Shall we double the bet! and have
s. another bottle of wnc,"
y. "1f You please"
ly "Agreed. Now do your best-or shall
e. beat you.'
r Pestered by this impertinence, st. Clair
is lost several games. His want of success ad-
e. ded to his impatience; and his tormentor
&c continued to vex him with haunting remarks
h. until his agitation become uncomfortable.
It's He drank to steady his nerves. but drink on
lis ly inRamed his passion. He doubled, tre5-
re led, quadrupled the bet to change his luck;
er but in vain. Every desperate attempt urg-
ne ed him towards his ruin; and it was happy
al for him, that his natural good sense enabled
ry him to STOP before his fate was consumased
sp though not until he lost a large surn,
1t "Vexcd with his bad fortune, St. Clair
er left the house Of dissipation, and turned his
ey reluctant steps towards his own dwelling.
W His slow and thoughtful pace was now tar
g, different, from tive usuai lghtness OF his
CHI graceful carriage. 1t was not, that he fear
he ed the frown OF his lovely wife; for to him her
a brow had Away been unclouded, and her
RI lips had only breathed affection. She was
as one of those gentle beings, whose sweetness
'e- withers not with the hour or the season; but
ire endures through all vcissitudes-
icy It was the recollection Of that fervent and
q forbearing love, that now pressed IKE
-" ' leaden weight upon the conscience OF the
~ gambler, when a reflection upon the many
re little luxures, and innocent enJoyments OF
"a ~, which that lovely woman had deprived her
~ self, while he had squandered vast sums IN
,.r selfish dissipation. Having never before
- lost so much at play, this view OF the case
had not occurred to him; and 1t now came
~ home to his bosom with full force-oringins
~ pangs of the keenest self-rerroach. ne re-
~ called the many projects OF domestic comfort
y" they had planned together. some OF which
III must now be delayed by his imprudence.
"a. as That very evening he had spoken of the
oIa rural dwelling they intended to inhabit; and
1;s Louisa's taste had suggested variety of i'm
ms provements, with which it should be embel-
"a IA Ilished. When he left her, he promised to
~, return soon; and now, after long absence,
'ea he came, the messenger---if not of ruin
,'d at least of disappointment. The influence of
;r, wine, and the agitation of his mind, had
he wrought up the usually placid feelings OF ST.
a. Clair, into state of high excitement. His
Ito Ind nation wandered to the past and to the
;cs future; and every picture, that he contem-
or plated, added to his pain.