Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-10

evenings contention, Annals pulse had become
quiet; although a red spot upon her check told
that she felt none the less interest She had not
failed to perceive that, with every renewed game
the period occupied in contcsting it became longer
than that which went before
On the next evening Graham came again, and
again the draughtboard was produced But, some
how or other, he could not play even well as he
did on the evening previous. Anna was disappoin>
ted, and he could perceive it, and this not only
disPirited him, but wounded his pride. He felt in
no pleasant mood he returned home that night,
half deermening not to lower himself again so
much in his estimation, as to gamble for the
girl he loved. This hafformod resolution he kept
for a week, during which time Annals doubts and
fears all returned upon her, and made her sick at
heart.
But, much as he disliked draughts, and much as
he condemned and even despised the principle in
volved in the stipulations Of Annals father, all
powerful love again prevailed, and he sought the
home of his lady fair to enter the lists more for
her hand. But it was with little better success.
pointments that followed every evenings trial
and that was, an hours quiet communion with An
ma for, as long he would play with the old man,
and try, he Of course did, to beat him, he was a
welcome visiter, and allowed fair opportunity to
tell over again to the maiden how fondly he loved
her.
Six months passed in this way, and young Gra-
ham began to play with much skill and judgment,
and not unfreguently game would last for whole
hour. On such occasions, the old man would slap
him on the shoulder, after he had beat him, with
"WelI done, my boy The girl will be yours yet"
One day about this time, it happened that Ora.
ham, with his armers frock on, driving his car,
along the road that passed near the cottage of his
sweetheart Woodruff happened to meet him just
there, and insisted upon his stopping. Graham came
in, and after drinking glass of home-hrewed beer
made by the fair hands of her he loved, the old man
reached down the everpresent checker-board.
This may be lucky day, John, he said looking
him archly in the face. Have you mind to try
The first sight of the board always annoyed the
young man bat he stifled this feeling, as usual
and sat down to the table,
For little while Anna stood looking at the
game and then retired to attend TO her ordinary du-
ties in the family. The mother, too soon followed,
and the players were left alone. The dog, that had
partaken of the general feeling Of hustle on the en-
trance of the young man, soon felt the quiet influ
ence of the room, and stretching himself out upon
a.. II l,,,, ral II,
were his biped companions. Not a sound was to be
heard, excep, the low noise made in moving the
p'ices on the board the occasional quicker rat
tling of hem when one was taken. Graham new
er before seemed to have his mind SO clear nor TO
have SO lucid PERCEPTION of the principles of the
game and the old man was as much absorbed in
what he was doing as ever. About every ten min
ules, if there had been another observer in the room
serious face might have been seen looking in for
few moments at the window, just behind the
young man.
Jupiter = suddenly exclaimed the old man with
an uneasy movement, as his Antagonist, leaped over
two pieces and into the kingdom. The relative po-
ston of several pieces in the neighborhood Of this
as to compel woodruff in taking of them, to dis
arrange entirely his game, and destroy his usual po
silion ofadvantage. For few minutes the flush
excitement destroyed the calm balanced state Of
young Graham's mind, But he perceived this, atld
confined his moves to unmportant and safe ones un-
Ill his pulse beat more quietly. Aud now came the
severesl struggle yet. Now or never" " thought
Graham, who readily Acknowledged that il was a
happy accident rather than skill to which he was
indebted for his present decidedly advantageous posi-
tion.
For nearly half hour both parties continued to
play with such caution that but single piece was
taken; but now each seemed determined to bring
the game TO an issue, and soon the board had on it
nothing but four kings-two for each Just at this
time Anna came to the window, and seeing the po-
slion of affairs TUNED pale, and felt sensation OF
fainlness but she was riveted to the spot. The
mothers interest too, had become excited, ard she
came to the door and stood also looking upon the
| board. The old man sat with his hand TO his mouth,
lingering his lips, his usual position when deeply
interested in his favourite game aud Graham leaned
his head upon his hand, his countenance, though
abstracted, indicating sadness Of feeling mingled
with hope. The four kings were neai together,
and each was evidently inen, on reducing the mum
Der of the other to one. and then blocking that
After studying and calculating moves for about
five minutes, the old man cautiously passed one o
his kings TO another square. Quick as thought hi.
antagonist made move, and then with long in,
spirslIon awaited the result.