Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-05-03
THE VICTIM OF GAMING.

Amongst the various places of Elis,on'
resort for the purpose of hazard, was
house in the neighborhood of Black fliars
where he had occasionally met Mr.. L.,
young gentleman Of sickly appearance, bu
who still followed u, the phantom with tina
excitement so peculiar to the passion of play
and which for the time, is able TO sustain III,
weakest frame in all the heated combination
OF It's pursuit. AT places of this kind, prrso
nal intercourse is generally no other than ar
sing from the traffic of the table, nor does ;
thought or word transpire which is not en-
ployed on the undivided purpose of rapine
SO long as the gold gltters on the table, nc
inquiries are made-recognition extends no
beyond the walls of the moral lazaret, ant
consciousness of the longest Acquaintance
nightly expires, as the object himself passe.
from the presence of the observer.
But respecting this young man, a more
particular history has reached us. If not the
most striking, he was perhaps one of the
most melancholy examples of gamblers
state ever witnessed. Mr.. l. was, at
this time, about twenly-six years of age. -
Disease already possessed him under that
form, which so frequently mingles the cruel
mockery of hope with the most peremptory
fiat of mortal certainty. His manners were
grnile-his temper unassailable and at
those brief intervals when the demon passion
OF play permitted his mind moments free.
dom, he exhibited an understanding of no or.
binary quality, and a taste (parrcularly in the
fine ar's) highly cultivated. But the whole
Occupation of his flikering existence vas lit
orally passing TO and fro, from his own home
to this apartment of despair. Here in the
evening, he arrived at about eight o'clock, IN
"A hackney coach, and by the same means. II,
any unknown hour, quilted the house on his
return. Here, with the entire sum of his es-
tate and strength, he was nightly vlsler,
Tor ms other hours were literally course of
ex''aus'ion-.his daily Journey between NOR
tai grave.
With tins gentle nan, Eliston had some.
times conversed and more frequently played.
IL happened on certain evening the come
dian had been singularly foriuna,e-I,ad won
a considerable sum, the CREATES, portion of
IT, the proceeds of Mr. LIS purse. The
majority OF the company had bv tins time de-
patt"d indeed, all the habitucs of the house
except Eliston and his companion who con.
tinned their play. Good fortune still follow
ca our hero, and by two O'Clock, he was
winner to the full amount Of his advcrsarv's
ready cfIrcts-pcrIraps of his resources. ~
Bni Mr.. L--was calm aud unrnllrh. Tie
plId GIS money, and handed over some fur
th"r acknowledgement.
on will still play on y said Elis,on.-I
on must recover some of this TO night
No, not lo-night,' responded Mr.. L..
Nay, you must take some vengeance Of
me- continued the other; the Jade mus, be
w"oed AXE my word for it, she'll be found
alter pointing. Come we have PLAYED be-
Tore '"sctI'"r' saying which, he presented
snnhry hank-no'rs to his companion, and
again set the table.
lie game was renewed-the stakes biph-
rr; and al the conclusion of another hour.
E'Ils'on was still IA considerable winner.
Slight tlnsh rather of exhaustion than
anxiety, passed over the features of Mr.. l..
md h" arose to depart.
i do not like this SAID EIlis,on: we
must not part at such odds as these Won
'''aIl still have your revenge, and TO. niJht.
too
= rebuked him only with a f.in,
smile, adding, We're later than usual. Do
20" hear what night it is! will set YOU
town.
AS you please; but have protested Won
ha'l nave your revenge. The cards lierc
ire against yon-ano,her place will be more
nr'nnhtr. Are you content to try again
I "n shall have luck Tonight but not here
not hrre.'
What do YOU propose ? asked l.,
With animation.
Come. III show you.'
he companions now entered the hackney
'oach' and after drive Of fifteen minnlcs.
we're set down in Straflord. place. EIIiston
en Nlr. u into an apartment, and some
being at hand, they partook ac.
have disappointed You so far said e.
'S'oh Tins is not quite the gay scene YOU
nay nave anticipated. But courage your
'ore immediate object is here Continued
e, sh'IlilIng the cards Il never won a
"'hea IN my own house yet, and am sure
or'"ne w'l' not be inclined to follow me,
n Snrh night as this, after abandoning her
srnrvly in Blacklriars.'
C""l'' 'hei', to little further business
eplied l..
Down they sat. Luck now blew from a
esf quarter under the new sky in which
l"y played. l. was recovrring-a fran.
en'' 'r'acher"us success, adding mockcry
my to the certain course of the infatuated, ,
ames'er. Aeain-againh he lost; new loans ,
''re advanced, and further acknowledges $
'en's handed over TO his opponent. 1t was
ow past three O'clock. q
"ny' now is lhis?' said Elisfon, with ,
'Hrked gravity, as he deliberately turned I'M h
pile OF notes, and spread the speciaIi,irs q
ri're him this is large amount. Mr.. i
-, a very considerable sum of money Il
on must have losl-' :.
More, perhaps, than my friend has won,' !,
''err"pled the other, with bitterness unu. d
'"' 10 ','n-' the debi-iI,c debt What is
~ debt = demanded he, impatien,ly. h
True it must be lessened,' replied the S
'"'cu''h' IN "A scnieniIOus tone. Il think "
= ma,