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

! ted on the third story of house In {
narrow street leading out of the Gale
Albala, within two or three hundred
yards of the Casa Saloon. Amongs
the persons to be met there were many
of the richest and highest in Madrid
generals and ministers, counts arc
marquises, and even grandees of Spair
were in the habit of repairing thlther
to while away the long winter evening.
or the sultriness of the summer day.
and the play was proportienate TO the
high rank and opulence Of the players
The bank was held, as is customary
in Spain, by the person who offered to
put in the largest sum, the keeper Of
the room being remunerated by a GER
tain tax upon the cards; tax which,
in this instance, was heavy one, in
order to compensate for the luxury dis
played in the decoration and arrange
ments of the establishment. The three
Sooms were fitted up in the most costly
manner; the walls lined with the most
magnificent pier glasses; the floor COW
cred IN winter with rich carpets; and
in summer with the finest Indian
mating; the furniture was the newest
French fashion. Splendid chandeliers
hung from the ceiling; musical clocks
stood on the side tables the gilt balco-
MES were filled with the rarest exotics
and foweringp plants. Two ofthe rooms
were devoted to play; in the third, ices
and refreshments awaited the parched
throats of the feverish gamblers.
On a scorching June afternoon, about
month after Vallejo arrived at Madrid,
the Mexican and Rafael left Don Jose's
dwelling, and bent their steps in the u
sual direction. While ascending the
well-known stairs of the gambling
house, young Solano could not forbear
addressing remonstrance to his friend
on the subject ofhis losses. Although
the counts perfect command over him
self, and his countenance, made ii very
difficult for so young and inexperienced
a man as Rafael to Judge of what was
passing in his mind, the latter, neverthe-
less, faneied that for three or four days
past there had been a change in his de-
meanor denoting uneasiness and ankle
ty. 1t was not that he was duller OF
more silent; on the contrary, his con-
versation was, perhaps, more brilliant
and varied, his laugh louder and more
frequent, than usual, but there was a
hollowness in the laugh, and strained
tone in the converse alton, as if he were
compelling himself to be gay in order to
drive away painful thoughts-intoxi-
eating himself with many words and
forced merriment. Rafael attributed
this to the annoyance caused by his
heavy losses, and now urged him to dis.
continue his visits to the monte-ta6le
at least for a time, OF until his luck be-
came better. The count met the sug,
gestion with a smile.
My dear Rafael cried he, gaily
'you surely do not suppose that the
loss of a few, hundred miserable ounces
would be sufficient to annoy me for {
moment. AS to abandoning play, we
should be puzzled to pass the idle hour
or two following the siesta. Besides
that, it amuses me. But do not make
yourself uneasy. | shall do myself nc
harm; and, moreover, | intend this
very day to win back all my losings. -
feel in the VEIN
Il heartily hope you may do SO as
you intend said Rafael, laughing
quite treasured by his friends careles,
manner; and, as he uttered the words
the count pushed open the door, anc
they entered the monte-room.
The game was already in full activ-
ity, and the play very high the tabl,
strewed with the snowy Spanish cards
on which, instead of the spades ane
diamonds familiar to most European
card-players, suns and vases, sabre<
and horses were depicted in various
and brilliant colors. An officer of the
royal guard, and a dry, snufy old mar
quis, held the bank, which had beer
very successful. Large piles of ounces
end of four and eight dollar pieces were
on the green cloth before them, as well
as roll OF paper nearly treble the val
ue of the specie. Twenty or thirty
players were congregated round the
table, while a few unfortunates, whose
pockets had already been emptied,
were solacing themselves with their
cigars, and occasionally indulging
In an oath or impatient stamp of the
foot when they saw card come up
which they would certainly have back
ed-had they money SO to do. Two
or three idlers were sitting on the low
sills of the long French windows, rea-
ding newspapers and enjoying the fra