Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-11-22
A FEARFUL GAME OF CARDs.

.s:s In our regiment were several Wlu young
fellows none more so thoh l.: and as our
life in camp was very mo lotonous, the Of
ficers betook themselves to gaming One
day, after dinner, cards were brought, and
all of US entered with such energy into tho
fascinating game that everything else was
in manner neglected. At length we
changed it, and betook ourselves in coup
p les TO seperate games, | and Ensign
r A., as gay and rakish- a rascal as ev-
= er lived, that we mig ght pursue our game
uninterruptedly, ordered the servant TO car
ry out into the summer-house, decanter
OF tive oil wine, and the cards; and thither
we soon followed. We played with intense
eagerness for several hours, till it grew so
dark that we could hardly see what was be
fore US. had been the gamer all the
evening.
+~ .Ct,rHe, A. said |, addressing my
compaion, 'I'n sure i's high time we
should quit the cards aad return, for we've
q good deal Of regiment business 10 do to
hight
stay, Tom: ans finish the games you
will not move an inch till them
: i tell you, A., | must and will be
gone; why should We thus make toll OF
pleasure, and besides, gain another rebuke
from the colonel? I'll away
Stay and try one more game said
!. A., laying His hand on my arm,
.and LII win back what l've lost
may, perhaps, to-morrow;> but now, go
will
.Then,' replied my companion, 'it you
do go, l'll stop and finish the game, il |
have the devil for my patner!'
"A merry game, and a pleasant compan-
ion for you-lai ewell!' said !, and left the
room. | fastened to my own apartment,
where had a good deal of regimental bus.
mess to transact. I had no: been SO engaged
long, when the door was flung open, and
in rushed Ensign A., his eyes star
ing with horror, and his cheeks pale as
marble. He sat down on chair, looked
:, fixedly ut me, but without speaking word.
: called for wine, and got him to swallow a
=. little The cold perspiration burst from his
j, forehead, and his eyes glared into every
corner Of the room, as though apprehensive
il. shat some wild beast was ready to spring
upon him.
why, A. said |, shaking him,
=, .shat is the matter with you? Are you
madl' He made no answer, except by
faint, ,murmuring kind Of indistinct whisper.
:, Are you frightened-or-or what? con-
iinued |, netioning to the servant to leave
the room. By degrees, any companion be-
came composed.
- .Oh, Tom,' said he, family and slowly,
q am lost man-a dead mani
!. :. s.Pshaw, my good fellow,wha is the mat
9 Ter with you? You've been too free with
!. the wine, and that added to your heated
spirits. has nearly overturned your brain
No, Tom he replied, Il am sober now,
rIneyer was SO before in my life. But
mv days on earth are numbered! Next
Tuesday | shall be no longer an inhabit-
ant Of this world! -.
There was something so indescribably
+ ,affecting-I may say, shocking-in the
dsep deliberate tone Of voice with which he
uttered this, as well as the az hue Of his
countenance, that sat down by his side
without speaking. Al length, taking his
hand in mine asked him, in as soothing a
manner as was able, what had caused his
terror.
sDo 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?'
Yes, replied with a sickening
smile, 4 did SO: and he took me at my
word he exclaimed, gasping as il for
breath.