The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-10-07
A THRILLING INCIDENT.

Some time since, there lived in one of
he West India Islands, then in the posses
sion of the French, a wealthy planter who.
had an only soma young man of rare and
natural endowments, both OF mind and body
At the period in which our narration is
founded, he was in the prime OF life OF
prepossessing exteror-of courtly address.
Inryalled in most manly and athletic exer-
ciscs--and had attained the rank of Captain
in ,be militia of the Island, Thus hlest
with the gifts Of nature, as well as OF for
tune. il would seem little short of misan-
thropic calculation, 10 doubt that his life
would be happy one. But alas! a state
of unalloyed felicity is unattainable even
bv ,be most favored son Of humanity in this,
his statcsof probation; aad hence, when at
fines ali nature seems 10 thke an interest in
what concerns the voyager on his life's ocean,
his own unbridled passions, like mutinous
crew in prosperous gale, will prove his
saddest foes-shipwreck, his hopes, his fame,
and his happiness; and SO; alas! it was in
the present instance. Under The blighting
influence of most ungovernable, temper
equally disposed to impart or receive offence,
he was INCREASINGLY embroilng himself in
ouarrels. and rendering his society burden
some: ill, at length, stunned by most OF
his earlier acquaintances, his turbulent and
bauphtv demeanor drove mind too pertna-
cious to acknowledge the necessity of re-
formation, to the deceitful pleasures of the
wine cup and the gaming table, in order to
drown those feel ngs consequent on north
ed pride. t+s
All that particular period, gambling pre-
vailed 10 most incredible extent through
ont the w. India Islands; and not unfre-
ouentlya sum which, in those more pressing
times. would be considered small fortune,
NAV be seen staked on the single throw OF
the dice. Il was late one summers eve
ming. as the young militia Captain was en-
gaged with some equally dissipated charac-
ters as himself, in this exciting speculation,
in the saloon of a celebrated Cafe. when
stranger, wearing the uniform of anaval cap
tain, entered, and having ordered some be-
veraee to his taste, amused himself during
its preparation in taking throw of the dice,
when regardless of knowing whether he had
won or lost, he turned around to drink. Ha-
wing finished his draught, and resumed his
position at the table, he was surprised at see
inc a large pile of gold pushed across ro him
byL (the militia captain,) On. being IN
formed that he had won it on his throw, he
refused to accept it, alleging that he did not
consider himself entitled to it, as, at the time
Of throwing, he was not aware OF the sum
played for, supposing il to be some trivial
amount, adding that "ahad he lost, he should
not have paid it." 5,N ~ Z.
This sentiment seemed a welcome Incl
dent to L., who, seizing this opportunity tor
contradiction and probable quarrel insisted
that the stranger should accept II; at the
same time, vehemently declaring that" had {!
he 1.-THE srranger) lost, he should have paid it
To arguments, contradictions quickly sue
seeded, and finally an appeal TO arms. In
vain did the spectators of the scene endea-
vor to allay the angry feelings aroused, OF
effect reconciliation; and hence, the
friends" who proceeded TO select the
weapons with which the right Of quarrel
sbould he decided, soon discovered that the
strangers skill was so far inferior TO that O.
his antagonist, whether with pistol or small
sword. that no doubt could exist, as! to The
issue Of the encounter, we're they to engage
or, equal terms. Under these circumstances
LIS high sense Of /" honor' forbade hlm te
take advantage Of his superiority. Atlength
after some reflection and evident embarrass