American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-08-04

cred with sparkling wines, which were handed
to all who came for them, or were borne on sill
yer salvers to the players. No winner could
leave the hall without a ticket from the female
on tie throne, for which he paid Napoleon;
and it was her part by her smiles, and wit, and
studied charms, to eniven the scnee. At the
farther extremity of the hail. underneath a sta
tue Ct Hurcules, in armour, was another dais
or Platform, upon which sat man with a long
black beard; in fact, rich Jewish broker,
whose business it was TO cash drafts and notes
drawn by the players. Before him were piles
Of gold and bills, and by his right stood
two large vases, filled to the brim with silver
coin.
As Winter and his friend passed round the
magnificent hall, they were recognised by two
or three young Frenchmen and an Engllsh5lan
present, with whom theJ exchanged mods. At
length they came TO u table Of green marble,
placed in front of an alcove, curtained with
green cloth frnged with gold. Upon carved
chair, under the canopy, sat beautiful female,
with snowy arms, glittering with jewelled
bands, and turban upon her brow blazing
with rubies. Her dark brilliant eyes were
fringed with lashcs so very long that they cast
shadows over her cheek, and yelled, while they
rendered more dangerous, the fire Of her g Ian
ccs. Her features sparkled with the light of
beauty, and her winning smiles were a snare to
all who had not been ruined in her tolls. She
was the daughter Of one Of the heaviest bank
ers at the Bank of chances The father had
been stabbed 70 the heart, few months before,
behind that very table, by victim of whom
he had won the last Napoleon of a princcly for
tune, and she was now in his place! being suf-
| fered TO remain by the directors, rather than
have so much capital rs she Inherited drawn
| from the funds. She had appeared, after her
fathers death, suddenly like some dazzling me-
! teor in the Salon d Htrcule! No one had ever
teheld her! She had lived retired, but in that
retirement her Jewish father had initiated her
into all the mysteries of the accumulation of
gcld and silver. With a person beautiful as
that we conceive to belong to angels she had a
heart of geld! She knew no feeling, no enc
ten beyond gold! Her fine eyes sparkled, but
they were aoulless as the diamonds they rivalled
in lustre, Her smile bewildered by its light,
but it was gilded with aVaIice. Hundreds OF
young men bowed before her shrine and perish
cd there! Yet she wore the same ladient coun-
tenance Of uneartkly beauty, the same winning
smiles and burning glances for other Victims
They came and persisted likewise! Souoss
and passisnless, she oveTpowered, bewildered,
dazzled and blasted. None who ventured to
play az DcT IdUlG WOH IlC SllNCE Wdlu,
which she held in her hand and with which she
swept the sum of gold towards the heaps upon
her left hand, was as fatal as the gullotine.
''For heavens sake, Frank, don't venture a
single franc at the shrine of this goddess o.
silver!" said Ellis, drawing him back.
81 have resolved to play here l am reck-
less of results now tina: | can only come to the
gaming table with money borrowed OR pawn
l will risk il fearlessly and boldly. Good even
ing, Mademoiselle!" he said, gaily.
''Bon ,oir, Monsieur" she answered, with
the most captivating dignity and grace; 5je suis
ben aise de uous poir es3 bonnie sante.''
'sJe u0us en- rDmercie infniment, .MademOisells"
'"Does Monsieur play tonight" she asked,
touching lightly, as if carelessly, with the tip
of her silver wand, pile Of Napoleons on the
left side of the table.
'tQue taire! i lose at every table, why may
not lose to yourself, Mademoisele. They
say you are the Napoleon of bankers and win
every stake"
"You fatter me, Monsieur"
81 know your success, Madame! j fear
you" he said, smiling.
IL have been abused, Monsieur. ] am bat a
poor banker at the best. | am sure you will
say SO, if you throw down Napoleon"
81 will play at gpinea-stakes, Mademeiselle.
| fear my Napoleons, by sort of instinct, will
fly away to increase your vast pile of them"
"Eh bien!" she said with graceful smile;
''let us play with guinea then, Monsieur, if
it please you. .fsseytz ponS pres de la table"
The young man threw down guinea, and
placed himself upon seat near the table
The game was Faro. The bankress held in
her left hand q gold box, just the size of card
pack, with sliding cover adjusted, and an
I1l, hat teal
was enough to bewlder and divert the atten-
tion of the player, she threw off from the top
card after card as it appeared, and then sudden
ly arrested her finger upon the answering card.
"You've won,'' cried Ellis with animation.
"Will Moneur take up his guinea or double
tie stake''
LET them both remain" he answered
''Je uous remeycie, Monsieur" she said, as
she again dealt, the winged cards upon the
green marble flying from her fingers like flock
of birds lighting upon lawn. With what grace
and dignity she dealt. What waving undulatory
movement OF the snowy arm. What flashing and
bewilderng movements of the glittering i'm
gers. What charming attitude Of the head.
What depth of expression in the eyes, which
seemed ever to be resting with tenderness upon
the face of the player. Winter was fascinated.
He felt that he could not be cool and collected
beneath such artillery. He saw at once the
secret of her power over her victims He half
resolved, whether he won or lost the present
stake to change his table. He felt he should
lose every franc if he played there. She, who
had the power to make him think more of her
than Of his game, would certainly win all he
possessed.
"Qu a Get homme''' she cried playfully, after
holding before him the winning card for full a
half minute without his regarding it. Mon
sieur is the winner!' and with graceful mo-
ton of her wand she showed the whole four
guineas across the marble before him.
81 am indeed a winner, he said, looking up,
and at once banishing his thoughts and doubts
''But fear owe it to your courtesy
"Not at ALL Monsieur You see am not in
yincible; that like Napoleon, ! may have nv