Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-11-21

by insisting upon Valleja's taking up
his abode with him during his stay in
Madrid. Vallejo raised many difficu.
ties on the score of the inconvenience
or trouble he might occasion: but they
were overruled, and the contest of pc.
likeness terminated in the counts &C
cepting the hospitality thus cordially
pressed upon him. The very next day
he was installed in a splendid apart
ment in the house of Don Jose.
Several days, even weeks, elapsed,
during which Vallejo continued to be
the inmate the Casa Solano. He APP
peared very we'll pleased with his quar-
tiers, and on the other hand, his hosts
found no reason to regret the hospital
ity shown him. He soon became the
spoiled child Of the family; Don Jose
could not make meal without Vale
ia was there to chat with him about
the Havana. Rafael was the insepa-
rable companion of his walks, rides,
and outdoor diversions; while the
blooming Marquita never seemed so
happy as when the happy Mexican was
seated beside her embroidery frame
conversing with her in his low soft
tones, or singing to the accompanl
ment Of her guitar, some wild melodies
of his native country. Indeed, so
marked were the counts attentions to
the young girl, and so favorably did
she receive them, that more than one
oficious or well-meaning friends hint
ed to Don Jose the propriety of instl-
tuting some inquiry into the circum-
stances and antecedents Of man who,
it seemed not improbable, might even
tually aspire to become his son-in law.
But the bankers prepossession in ia
vor Of Valleja was SO strong that he
gave little heed to these hints, conten-
ting himself with writing to his cores
pendent at Mexico, expressing the
pleasure he had had in making the ac-
quaintance of the count, and receiving
him as an inmate to his house; but
without asking any information con-
corning him. In fact the letter Vale.
ia had brought was such as to render
any further inquiries nearly superhu-
Gus. 1t mentioned the count as of a
noble or respectable family, and credi-
ted him to the amount of ten thousand
dollars, sum Of sufficient Importance
to make it presumable that his means
were ample.
Before Vallejo had been three days
at Madrid he had obtained his entree
to house at which number of oilers
and fashionables were in the habit of
meeting to play monte, the game of all
others the most fascinating to the Span
iards. Thither he used to repair each
afternoon, accompanied by Rafael So
lano, and there he soon made himself
remarked for his judgment in play,
ard by the cool Indifference with which
he lost and won considerable sums
For some time he was exceedingly
successful. Every stake he put down
doubled itself; he seemed to play with
charmed money; and the bankers trem-
bled when they saw him approach the
table, and after glance at the state Of
the game, place pile of golden ounces
on a card, which almost invariably won
the next moment. This lasted several
days, and he began to be considered
as invincible, when suddenly his good
fortune departed from him, and he lost
as fast, or faster, than he had previous
ly won; so that after fortnight of in
cessant bad luck, it was estimated by
certain old CANDLES who had taken an
interest in watching his proceedings
that he had lost not only all his win
nings, but very considerable sum IN
addition. Rafael, who rarely played
and then only for small stakes, urged
his friend to discontinue game which
he found SO losing; but Vallejo laugh
ed at his circumstances, and treated
his losses as trifing ones, which a sin
gle days good fortune might retrieve
Gambling is scarcely looked upon as
vice in Spain, and young Solano saw
nothing unusual Or blameable in the
counts indulging in his afternoon jeugc
or his losing his money if it SO pleased
him, and ifhe thought an hour or two
excitement worth the large sums which
it usually cost him. Indeed, the cir
cumstance OF their visits to the gaming
room appeared to him SO untmportanl
that it never occurred to him to men
ton it to his father or sister; and they
on their part never dreamed of inqui-
ring in what way the young men pass
ed the few hours of the day during
which they absented themselves from
their society.
The monte-table which Vallejo was
in the habit of frequenting was situa-