Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-04-30
From the New York Atlas.
THE LAST STAKE.
A "CLUB HOUSE" SKETCH

A"CLUB HOUSE" SKETCH.
1t may not be generally known that in
some Of our most formidable neighborhoods,
there are resorts denominated sclub houses
which are nightly visited by hundreds oil
wealthy citizens, young and old, married
and single; who although they may not have
been able to pay their notes or their tail
or's bills during the day, manage in the eve
ming, to lose at the gaming table, larger
sums than would have been adequate for
such purposes.
Into one of these elegantly furnished
| now introduce my readers.-
I he apartments are spacious and splendid.
Iy furnished. A side board laden with mas
sive plate and groaning beneath the weight
Of liquors and refreshments--the folding
doors are thrown open-richly cut chan
deiers illuminate both rooms--the anthra-
cite is glowing in the grates--and every
table is occupied with parties engaged in va
rlous games Of chance.
At one of the tables four young gentle
men are engaged in playing brag--they
move in the most fashionable circles,
are wealthy, well educated, and intelligent.
where is Hamilton to nightT enquiries
one Of the party.
Us it possible YOU do not know that he is
dead?' is the interrogative answer.
'Dead'
sYes, poor fellow, he lost all he was
worth at Loron's the night before last
went home to his lodgings and blew out his
brains!'
He was buried this afternoon adds an
other Of the players.
sPoor feIIowr exclaimed the first speaker,
'wlIat deveish fool he was though TO COM
nit suicide, had he waited only until this eve
ming his luck might have taken turn.
owed him a hundred dollars, which | came
this evening prepared to pay hun. How
ever since he's cancelled the debt in such
summary manner | will brag the amount.
'I'Il go you that and a hundred better
The game continued, but nothing more
was said Of the wretched young man who
had so lately been their companion, and
whose miserable fate is told in the iorego-
ing conversation. Heavy sums were lost
and won--loud laughter rang through the
rooms. Now flushed with success, some eX-
ulted in their good tortune--others lost the
last dollar they had remaining, and cursed
their unlucky stars.
At the table where the conversation took
place, to which have already referred, the
utmost good humor and harmony prevailed.
The players were evidently familiar assoc-
ates, on equal terms in intimacy and stand
ing in society.
They pocketed each others money with
the utmost Indifference, and the sang froid
with which it was lost and won was equally
remarkable.
The clock struck twelve. Midnight,
exclaimed one.
Yes, Shakspear says, returned anoth-
er--
Now is the very watching time of night.
When church yards yawn and graves give
up their dead"
By the way, wonder if Billy Shak-
spear believed in ghosts!
Il can answer for myself said third,
that do most rellgiousIy.'
'Nonsense-you surely jest.
BY heaven! | do not-you may call it
superstition, folly, or what you please, be-
ieve at this very hour ghosts walk abroad
The others laughed, but the last speaker
maintained his gravity.
well really this is amusing continued
the Young gentleman BY whom the CONVEX
sation was commenced; nothing would in
duce you then to VISIT grave yard at this
time of night, supPoseF
mo, ! confess my weakness, or cowar-
dice if you choose SO to call it, in this par.
ticuar case, and you, Ned Lawrence, would
be equally loaih to do So?
Not !, answered Lawrence; make it
worth my while, Ill go this very hour to
Frank Hamilton's grave and offer to pay
him if he's abroad, the hundred dollars he
won from me at cribbage.'
Il will bet you fifty dollars you'll do no
such thing
'Doner
The bet was made and the money staked.
Ned Lawrence rose, called for his cloak.
and having enveloped himself in its ample
folds, was about departing, when it was
suggested that some one should accompany
him in order to bear witness that he would
actually visit the suicides grave
No he must go alone, or | Withdraw the
bet,' exclaimed the believer in ghosts; 'to
convince US that he has actually won The
wager, he can bring the stake that was driv'
en- into the ground at the foo, Of Hamilton