Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-02-24
GAMBLING SCENE.

s.See!' observed my chatty friend
.sthere is one Of the handsomest, noble
spirited young fellows now in Baden. He
is loosir and mark the power Of the hor-
rid vice in deforming the finest features
Nay, have seen it and it can make the
most beautiful! woman's face absolutely
ugly. This last observation seemed to at
tract the attention of the young party near
US, for one of the young lad es being again
solicited to join new set, exclaimed with
peculiar energy, "Not for the world! de-
test cards, and | will detest them as long
as live. though had very nearly become
fond Of them," and, as she spoke, she be-
slowed particularly comp.asant look up
on my little neighlor The case oil the
young man alluded TO was evidently be.
coming desperate. With trembling hand,
and looks of mingled rage and terror, he
was seeking for his las. piece. if he had
one. "rhere is more than shame and
remorss in that look, his honor too; he
is paying his las, in part OF what he
owes"
"Were that winning neighbor Of his,
should not like him to see IRE homo to-
night. saw an expression that | know
from long Observation here. 1t is even
worse than despair, for it augurs da niger TO
others; he will no, die without struggle;
perhaps fearful crime" That unhappy
man had married a rich and fashionable
woman. already initiated in the fatal vice.
She had married for what is called love,
bu, it had not banished the stronger pas
bf,t hon i'm,
he owed his present ruin, and she, too, was
there TO witness it, A splendid beauty
and reigning toast not long ago, she was
still an object Of pursuit to the most seduc
tive and abandoned OF his class; gay
Lolhario Of sixty, vino long scorned, and
now thinking his conquest sure. was lnsId-
iouslv inviting The ruined mans vile to
play. She has nothing. Sec, he offers
her gold Her eve is directed towards him
she has ruined; shall she venture, shall she
save him at any price; him whom she
loves: then, then. perhaps, more tondly,
distrac,ly than ever? What moment!
and dec SIGN on which hung impending
ruin and death, CT dishonor
Could she have seen that the card table
would have brought her to such a moment
how would her soul have nbhorred the
thought Of play; that mere speck which
had slowly and gradually assumed the d.
mensions o. giant All! she rejects the
golden brite; bnt she puts down crown
piece. /; is her last, and she wins. Win
u forced laugh, not the happy ringing laugh
we had just heard, she handed 10 her hus
band what she had just won. He arose,
and approached, and having placed it in
her reticule, hurried from the spot. Her
eve followed his recediug form, and | was
so near her that could hear a deep drawn
but suppressed sigh that shook her whole
frame, as if it came from the Utmost re-
cesses of her soul A small heap Of shin
ing gold lay where she stood; her eye rest
ed on it, there was large prize 10 be
thrown for in lottery. With her last
gains she bought ticket 1t was soon o.
yer. The croupier announced the num-
Der; it was that she held in he. hands
One uplifted, one gentle folding of the
hands towards heaven, and with look of
ecstacy | can never forget, she stretched
them forth TO receive the prize, and she
was gone. A laugh discern followed her
re,reating steps, while CLEAN Of dissap-
pointed rage and malice shot across the
features OF, the willy seducer. whose long
pursued prey was thus snatched OF his
grasp Ainswort'h Magazine.