The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-12-01
a FEARFUI, GAME OF CARDS.

n n
:..... ,,,srs several wild young fell
1o,. ~ 800 more 40 than land as our me IN
canan was very monotonous, Tue oiilseiS s ysoon
themselves 10 gaming One Gay, ait9L l,,at
cards 1vere brought, and all Oh US en,eieu
-, i1fo The fascinating game, that every iiihs
ise was In a manner neglected. AT length We
henoed IL and betook ourselves in couples 10 sepd
rate games. | and Ensign A., as gay ana
rakish a rascal as ever lived, that we might elJoy
our game uninterruptedy, ordered the se5Yan1 ~
carry out into a sort of summer house; uecahlel
ar two Of wine and the cards; and thlther we soon
followed We played with intense eagerleiSss loi
several hours tl it grew dark that we could not
zee what was before US. had been the gamer all
the evening. a,,,oo,;o,,
esf,m snre il 3 high time should quit the cards
and return, for we have good deal OF regimental
Stay Tom. aud finish the game; you will not
move an inch till then.
should we thus make toll Of pleasure, and, besides,
oain another rebuke from the Colonel | II away.
Stay and try one more game. said A., lay
ing his hand on my arm, +" and ii win back what
We lost"
will"
Then" replied my companion, " if you do 60,
II stop and finish the game, If have the deVll lor
merry game and pleasant companion for
VOI-idFGfNell. 5kdlu h dAi iCit VIC 1oStA'.
ened to my own apartment, where haa goou
deal Of regimental business 10 transact. had not
heen so engaged long, when the door was flung
open. and in rushed Ensign A., his eyes staring
with horror and his cheeks pale as marble lie
sal down on chair looked fxedly at me, but with
mt speaking a word called for wine, and got
him to swallow little. The cold persplratlon
hurst from his forehead, and his eyes glaTed into
every corner Of the room, as though apprehenslVe
that some wild beast was ready to spring upon him
Why, A. said ], shaking him, ts'what IS the
matter with YOU! Are You mad 60 He made no
answer except by faint, murmuring kind OF
indisiinct whisper. 6 Are you frightened-or-or
what! I" continued l. moiioning TO the servant to
leave the room. BY degrees, my companion be-
came composed.
"Oh, Tom said he, family and slowly, Il am a
lost mana dead man -
Pshaw, my good fellow, what is the matter with
YOU! You we been too free with the wine, and
that added your heated spirits, has nearly turned
your brain.
q No. Tom . he replied, g ] am sober now, if
never was 50 before in nv life. But my days On
earth are numbered. Next Tuesday shall be no
longer an inhabitant Of this world.
There was something so indescribably affecting
| may say, shocking-in the deep, deliberate tone
of voice with which he uttered this az well as the
ashy hue Of his countenance, that | sat down by
his side without speaking. At length, taking his
hand in mine, | asked him, in as soothing a man
ner as was able. what had caused bis terror
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 a partner!
Yes" replied A -, with sickening smile,
did so; and he took me at my word, he ex-
claimed, gasping as il for breath.
Why-wby" stammered |, partaking of his
fright, "why, A., you do mt mean to say
that
g ! mean to say simply this replied my com
panion, with dreadful calmness, that Satan has
taken me at my word A few moments after you
had left me- leaned my head on my hands and
shut my eyes. Immediately | heard a rustling
among the cards on the table before me. | started -
and convusive shndder shook his frame" there
sat opposite to me- in the chair which you had just
left vacant, tall, pale man, dressed in black.
Why. how in the devils name did you come here!'
said ]. ia amazement
9 To finish the game with you, as YOU wished
said the stranger deliberately, at the same time
arranging the cards | saw that his hand was as
white as alabaster, and he put the cards in order
with amazing care and skill. He offered me the
pack.
Why-why-who are you, and whence did
you come 2 stammered / ; at the same time my
eyes seemed dancing in my head, and my knees
smote together with agitation.
came to finish the game with you, at your
request, said the stranger, precisely in the same
tone and manner as before. ] would have an
swered, but my tongue Glove to the roof of my
mouth. Why do you not take the cards said
the stranger, in hollow tone. will you finish
the game, according to your promise 2
Mo- conirived to stammer out His eyes
glared on me as though his head was filed with
vivid fire. He rose, and bending his iendsh face
close 70 mine, Numbered in my ear
This night week, then, thou shalt finish it in
HIGH SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LADIES