Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-12-02
A FEARFUL GAME OF CARDS.

In our regiment were several wild young
ieilows--none more so than i and "a our
he in camp was vesy monotonous, the otil-
GERS hetook themselves 10 gaming. One day
after dinner. the cards were brought, aud all
OF Us entered with such energy into the fas-
cinatng game, that every thing else was in
a manner neglected. At length we changed
it, and betook ourselves in couples in separ-
ate games. aud Ensi gn A, rs gay aud
rakish a rascal as ever lived, that we might
pursue. cur game uninterruptediy, ordered
the servant To carry out into a sort OF sum-
mer house, n decanter OF two of wine, aud
the cards and thither we soon followed.
We played with intense eagerness for seve-
raj hours, till it grew so dark that we could
hardly see what was before Us. | had been
the gamer all the evening.
Come, g." said |, addressing my
companion, . am sure it's high time we
shnuli quI the cards and return, for we've
adeal OF reglmental business To do tonight"
Z" Stay, Tom, aud flush the game, you
will NOT move an inch till then.9
:" tell you, A., must and will be-
goue why should we thus make toll of
pleasure, aud besides gain another rebuke
from the Colonel, | viii away"
Stay and try one more game" said
=, ldNlllH uiS liiht VA NY tlHi, anu
IN win back wha, i've lost"
Sc | may, perhaps, tomorrow, but now,
go | will"
"Then," replied my companion, "if you
do go, l'Il stop and finish the game, it have
the devil for partner"
A merry game, aud pleasant compan-
ion for you-tarewel" said /, and left the
room. | FASTENED to my own apartment,
where had good deal Of regmental busi-
ness to transact. had not been engaged
long, when the door opened, and in rushed
Ensign A, his eyes starting with horror,
aud his cheeks pale as marble. He sat down
on chair and looked fixedly, but without
speaking word. called for wine, and got
him to swallow little. The cold perspira-
ton burst from his forehead, aud his eyes
glared into every corner of the room, as
though apprehenslye that some wild beast
was ready to spring upon him.
"Why, A." said |, shaking him
"what is the matter with you! Are you
mad?'' He made no answer, except by n
faint murmuring kind of indistlnct whisper.
g Are you MISUNDERSTANDING" con-
tinued /, motionlng to the servant To leave
the room. BY degrees my companion be-
came composed.
"Oh, Tom" said he, family and slowly,
+" am mana dead manw
f" Pshaw, my good fellow, what IS the
matter with you'll You've been too free
with the wine and that, added TO your heat
edspirits, has nearly overturned yourbr :"
s.No, Tom" he replied, :" am sober
now, ii never was so before IN my life.
Bot my days are numbered! Next Tues
day shall be no longer an inhabtant Of this
woldm
There was something so indescribably af-
fectng-i may say shocking-in the deep
deliBeraton of voice with which he uttered
this, as well as the asby hue OF his counte-
nance, that | SAT down by his side without
speaking. At length, taking his hand ~
mine, asked him II, as soothing manner
as was able what had caused his terror.
"Do YOU remember what said, Tom, on
your leaving me Tonight"
:. Faith, yes was II not that you would
play il Sou had the devil for II partner"
=; Yes," replied A., with "A sickening
smile. ~ did so and he took me ut my
wordln he continued, gaspiDg, as IT Tor
breath.
Why-why," stammered |, partaking of
his fright" Why, 4, you don't mean
to say that"
al mean to say simply this" replied my
companion, with dreadful calbness, " that
Satan has taken me at my word. few
moments after you bad left inc, leaned my
head on my hands, and shut my eyes. I'm
mediateIg heard rustllng among the cards
on the table before mt started, and" Il
convUlsiye shudderIng shook his frame
% there sat opposite to me ~ the char which
you had Just left vacant, tall, pale man,
dressed ia black. Why, how ia the DPS
name did you COME here3 said !, ~ AMAZE
lnent."
".ro finish the game with you, as you
wishedp said the stranger, deliberately, al
the same IInc arranging ihe cards. "a"
In4t TAI. Hana sas " hate as alabisicr, ana ne
par the cards "a order win amazing care ana
xii. lie offered me Tie pack.
w by-why, nkp afe you, ana from
whence dII you gomez stauunered !, nj the
same uane ny eyes dancing "a ny head' ana
my knee, >nJte tngether with agitation.
81 came 10 tinisb the game with you, at
your own requestn said the stranger, pre-
cisely ia the same tome AMI manner rs be-
fore. / would have answered, but my
tongue Glove to the roof OF my mouih.-
: VIII you finish The game according to your
promised
ss.NO,' / contriYed to stammer ont. his
eyes glared at me, rs though his head was
6lled with liyid ire. He rose, and bending
bis fierce face close to mine, Numbered IN
my car
...This night week, then, thou shalt finish
il in hell!
My eyes closed nucOnsciously, as though
they would never open again when he had
finished, | looked up none however, but
myself wac IN the room, and as fast as NY
trembling limbs would carry me, have
come hither. Oh, Toni ! am dead man
1 ans doomed - am doomedn'
Such was the fearful narrative Of Ensign
A.. We got him 70 bed. a dellrlum
seized him, The brain fever followed, aud
thar nigBi week he died.
AyECDoTE or NAPOLEON.