The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-12-01
4 Fearful Game Of Cards.

/ A fcGrlui tame OF cards.
! In our regiment w, re several wild young
fellows, but none more so than j and as
our lie in camp was very monotonous. the
officers bei6ok themselves TO gaming. One
day after dinner the cards we're brought,
and all of us entered with such energy into
the fascinating game, that everything el,e
was in manner neglected. Al length we
changed il, and betook ourselves in couples
to separate games. l and Ensign A.,
MS gay and rakish rascal as ever lived,
that we might pursue our game uninierrup.
tedly. ordered the servant TO carry out into
sort Of summer honse decanter or two
Of wine, andth cards; and thither we soon
followed. We played with intense eager.
ness for several hours, till II grew so dark
that we could hardly see what was before
us. had been the gamer all the evening.
Come. As ], addressing my com.
panion, 81 am sure tits high time we should
quit our cards, and return, for we've good
deal OF rcGimental business TO do o-night.'
! 'Stay, Tom, and finish the game, you will
not move an inch till ihcn.'
q tell you A., / must, and will bc-
gone; why should we TINS make toll of
pleasure, end besides, gain another rebuke
from the Colonel. III avsy' sStay. and
try one more game.' said A., laying his hand
on my arm, sand III win back what I've
LOST
q may. perhaps, tomorrow, but now GO
| WILL 'Then,' replied my companion, sIf
you do 60. III stop and finish the game, il I
lave the devil for my partner
"a merry game. and q pleasant partner,
for you-iarewelln said !, and left the room.
FASTENED to my own apartment, where
Lad good deal Of reeimental business TO
transact. J had not been So engaged lopg
: when the door opened, and il rushed En-.
sign A.. his eyes starting with horror, and
his cheeks as pale as marble. He sal down
on a chair. looked iixodly on me, but With
out speaking n word. Icalled for wine, and
, got him TO swallow a little. The cold per-
spiration burst from lis forehead, and his
eyes Glarcd into every corp'r Of the room.
i as tho apprehensive that some wild beast
= was ready 10 spring upon him.
'Why, A. said I, shaking him, 'wha' is
- the matter with you? Are you mad 9 He
! made 10 answer except by faint murmur-
ing kind Of indistinct whisper. 'Are you
frightened err whatr continued ]. mo-
: tioning To the servant 10 leave the room.
BY degrees. my companion became cOmpo-
/; sed.
ooh, Tom said he family and slowly, Il
am lost man, 2 dead mnnn
'Pshaw. my.gcod fellow. what isthe mat
ter with you? You've been loo free with
the wine; and that, added 10 you. heated
! spirits. nearly overturned your lIan.'
!, No, Tom,' be replied. u am sober now,
il l ever was so before in MY life. But my
days are numbered! Next Tuesday. ] shall
he no longer an inhabitant of this world =
There was something SO indesciibably af-
!, frctrG, / may say, shocking, in the deep,
y deliberate tone Of voice with which lie Ut
> tered this, as well MS the sshy hue Of his
counteuance. that ! sat down by his side
without speaking. At length taking his
v hand in mine asked him in as soothing a
manner as ! was able what had caused his
terror.
70 'Do you remember what said, Tom, on
, your leaving me tonight" Faith, yes. was
it not that you would play if you had the
devil for partner? sYes,' replied A,
with a sickening smile, q did so: and he
took me at my wordo he continued, grasp
ing. as if for breath.
'Why-why,' stammt rcd I, parnking ~
y his fright. 'wty A., you don't mean TO
: say that 81 mean tosay simply this re-
: piled my companion, with dreaded calm
ness, that Satan has taken me at my VOID.
p, A few moments after you had left me,
" leaned my head on my hands, and shut my
eyes, Immediately Iheard rustlipc amor &
y he cards on the table before me. ] started,
! and convulsive shuddering shook his
= frame; Hhere sat opposite to me in the ehuir
T which you had just left vacant, a tall pale
/! man, dressed i'll black. why, how in the
|" DPS name did you come herc?' said l,
: IN amazement.'
u 10 finish the game with you, as yo,i
T. wishedr said the stranger, deliberately, at
10 The same time arranging the cards. saw
Vt that his hand was as white as ala!aster, and
p he put the cards in order with amazing care
'e and skill. He offered me the pack. why
a why. who are you and whence did yo,
10 come?' stammeied ], at the same time my
J. eyes dancing in my head, and smote togetA-
!, er with agitation. Il came to finish the
;, game with you, at your own requestT said
= the stranger. precisely in the same tone and
y manner as before. i would have answer
', ed, but my tongue Glove TO the roof Of my
'" mouth. 'Why do you not take the eardsr
. said the stranger, in hollow tone. sWill
~ you finish the game according 10 your pro-
)" mse:'
'e MOI contrivsd to s.ammcr out. His
ewes clared at me, as though his head was
il filed with livid fire. lie rose, and bending
NJ his fendish face close to mii.c, Numbered
to ia INV ear--'Ths night week, then, thon
lie shall, finish il in help My eyes closed nm
tie consciously, as though they would never
I'd open again; when he had finished looked
'e up, however, none but myself was in the
il room. aud, fast as my trembling limbs would
n carry nc, have come ,hithcr. Oh, Tom,
as | am q dead man! am doomed! l am
G. doomcd'
p. Such was the fearful narrative of Ensign
IN a. His friend placed him in bed. a
AS derium seized him, the brain fever follow.
vs cd and that night a week he DIED.
:. IIo,c ur. SmiHiSon got W.G.-Mr
- ~. NJ. :.