Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-07-31
From Be Hsy's AfsceRany.
THE FIFTH AT WHIST.

We had been playing all the evening at whist,
Our stake had been gold mohur points and twenty am
the rubber. MaIey, who is always lucky. had
won hve consecutive bumpers which left A scIc,n,.
shcd smile his counienance. and mad, ~, ,S.
losers, iook anything but pleased when he suddenIv
changed counIenance, and hesitated to pl,y. mn,
lhe more surprised us, since he was one who sci.
dom pondered, being so perfectly master oI tho
auOus. f'
PLAY away, MaIey; what are you about ~ inn.
patiently demanded Churchill one OF the most in
body guard. '''0
"hush!" responded Maxey, in tone which ,bril.
pale. 0'"''y
care you unwelll" said another about 70 star,
taken Ill. ''''
For the love Of peace sit quiet !" rejoned the
other IN tone dsnoung extreme fear or pain. ana
ne 'Gid down his cards. IF you value my life move
"what can he moan7 has he taken leave Of hi,
/ sen,eN" demanded Churchill, Appealing 10 myself
Don't start-dOn't move, I tel you ~ I'M a s5Ft
/ OF Whisper never can forget, uttered Mickey ar
| 'om make any sudden motion AN d. ad man :"
we exchanged looks. lie continued
"Remaln quiet and all may yet be well. Ihaye
Cobra Capclla round my eg.n
Our FIRST impulse was TO draw back our chairs.
hut m appealing look from the victim induroJ us
10 remain, although we were aware that should the
lSpsit pui transfer one tOd, and attach himself To
any olher ct the party, that individual might al
ready be counted dead man. so fatal ia the bito az
! that dreadful monster
| Poor MuHey was dressed ms many old residents
/ sun dress IN lnda-namey, in brooches and silk
stockings no therefore the more mainly flt every
movement Of the snake. Ills counten1ncs sssur.
ed livid hue; tho words seemed to leave his mouth
without that feature altering its position so rigid
was his look, 50 fearful was he les, the slightest
muscular movement should alarm the serpent and
] hasten his fatal bite
We were IN agony little less than his own during
the scene.
"He is coiIing round!o murmured Mu1sy; 81
feel him cold-cod to my limb; and now he tight.
Gns2-iOr tho love Of heaven call for some milkl-I
dare not speak loud let It be placed the ground
near me: let tomo be split the floor.
/ Churchill cautiously gave the orders, and a scr.
want slid out Of the room.
"Don't stIr-NOr,hcotc, You moved your head
BY every thing sncrCd, coniuro you not 20 DO 81
again. II cannot be long ere my lato is decided.
have n wife and Two children M Eutopc; tell then
died blessing them;-that my last prayer wer,
for tbsm-thc snake is winding itself around my
cali;-I leave them all possess. can almost fan
cy feel his breath: Great Heaven! 10 do in such
RI manuer'"
The milk was brought, and carefully put down
. few drops were sprinkled on the floor, and th,
( Blfughttd servant drew back.
u. Again MnTey spoke:
"No-nO! II has no effect on tho contrary. M
has cIaspcd himself tightcr-he has uncurei hi
. upper ioldl dsto not look down, but nm sure h
s about 10 draw back, and give the bite Of dealt
10 with more fatal precision. Again he piuscs I d.
II firm; but this is past eudurapce-oh' no--hs ha
Il unJone another fold, md loosens himself Can h
10 be going IN some one oIsel" We involunt1tir
Is stored. "For the love Of heaven stir mol - am
N dead man, but bear with me. lie still loosens-
% he Is about 70 drrl Move not, but bewaro7-
,. Churchill, he falls oil that way Oh this agony
n. too hard N beaR Another pressure and I Al
II dead. Ncl-he rslaxef" At tint moment poo
r MaEoY vontured To look down; the snake had ur
70 wound himseI the last coil had fallen and the rel
h. tile was making for tho milk
sr 81 nm saved'-s,vedl" and Marcy bounde
1 from his chair and fell senseless inlo the arms
TX one Of his servants; the snake wns Killed, and OF
At poor friend carried more dead than alive TO
IA room.
That scene can never forget: II dwells on M
IA memory still strengthened by the fate Of Do,
h, Maxey, who from that hour pined in hopeless 10
To- becity, anil sank into an early grave.