Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-19

1
found IN the devils own; noby have the APP
prentices emulated the skill of the master. Suf-
ice it to say, that poor Gambouge read over the
paper, and signed it. He was to have all he
wished for seven years. and at the end of that
time was to become the property of the -;
provided that during the course of seven years,
every single wish which he might form should
be gratided by the other of the contracting par
ties; otherwise the deed became null and non-ave-
nue., and Gambouge should be left ito go to the
| - his way"
"You will never see me again. said Dabolus,
in shaking hands with poor Simon, on whose fin
gers he left such mark as is to be seen at this
| day-''never, at least, unless you want me: for
everything you ask will be performed in the most
quiet and everyday manner believe me, it is
best and most gentlemanlike, and avoids anything
| like scandal. But If you set me about any thing
which is extraordinary, and out of the course of
nature, as it were, come | must you know; and
| of this you are the best judge" So saying, Dia-
bolus disappeared; but whether up the chimney,
through the key-hole, any other aperture or
continuance, nobody knows. Simon Gambouge
| was left In fever of delight, as Heaven forgive
me q believe many worthy man would be, if
| he were allowed an opportunity to make similar
bargain.
'.heigho!" said Simon, 81 wonder whether
this be reality dream. lam sober, know;
| for who will give me credit for the means to be
| drunk and as for sleeping, Pm too hungry for
that. wish could see capon and bottle of
white wine''
Monsieur Smon!'' cried voice on the land
ing place.
''C'ea ici," quoth Gambouge, Fastening to
open the door. He did SO; and, 10 there was
reStaurateurS boy at the door, supporting tray o
uncovered dish, and plates the same; and, by
| its side, tall amber-colored flask of Sauterne.
81 am the new boy, sir" exclaimed this youth
on entering; .'but believe this is the right door,
and you asked for these things"
| Simon grinned, and sad ''Certainly, did ask
for these things" But such was the effect which
his interview with the demon had had on his in
nocent mind, that he took them, although he
knew that they were for old Simon, the Jew
dandy, who was mad after an opera girl, and
| lived on the floor beneath.
go, my boy" he said; cit is good; call in
couple of hours, and remove the plates and
glasses"
| The little waiter trotted down stairs, and Simon
| safe greedly down to discuss the capon and the
| white wine. lie bolted the legs, he devoured the
| wings, he cut every morsel of flesh from the
breast seasoning his repast with pleasant
| draughts of wine, and caring nothing for the
inevitable BILL which was to follow all.
eye gods"' said he, as he scraped away at
the back bone, ''what dinner what wine and
how gaily served up !' There were silver
| forks and spoons, and the remnants of the fowl
were upon silver dish "Why, the money for
| this dish and these spoons, cried Simon would
keep me and Mrs G. month l wish'-and
here Simon whisted, and turned round to see
| that nobody was peeping-''I wish the plate were
| mine.''
| 0, the horrid progress Of the devil "Here
they are thought Simon to himself; why
should not l take Mena?" And take them he
did. Detection said he, sis not SO bad as
starvation; and | would as soon live at the gal
leys as live with Madame Gambouge."
So Gambouge shovelled dish and spoons into
the flap of his surtout, and ran down stairs as
if the devil were behind him-as, indeed, he was
He Immediately made for the house of his old
friend the pawnbroker-that establishment which
is called in France the Mont de Piete. 81 am
Obliged to come to you again, my old friend,
said Simon, with some family plate, of which
beseech you to take care.'
The pawnbroker smiled as he examined the
goods. II can give you nothing upon them,
said he.
''What % cried Simon; ''not even the worth of
the silver @
''No; could buy them at that price at the
Cafe Morlsot, Rue de la Verrier, where, l sup
pose, you got them little cheaper" And, so
saying, he Showed to the guilt-stricken Gambouge
how the name of that coffee-house was inscribed
upon every one of the articles which he had wish
ed to pawn.
The effects of conscience are dreadful indeed
Oh how fearful is retribution, how deep is des-
pair, how bitter is renorse for crme-achen crime
rs found out !-otherwise conscience takes mat
ters much more easily. Gambouge cursed his
fate, and swore henceforth to be yirtuous.
''But, bark ye, my friend,n continued the
honest broker, ''there is reason why, because
[ cannot lend upon these things, 1 should not
buy them: they will do to melt, if for no other
purpose. Will you have the money !-speak, or
peach"
Simon's resolves about virtue were soon dissi-
pated instantaneously. "Give me half, he said
sand let me go.-What scoundrels are these
pawnbrokers! !" calculated he, as he passed out
of the accursed shop, seeking every pretext to
rob the poor man out of his hard-won gain"
When he had marched forwards for street or
two, Gambougc counted the money which he had
received, and found that he was in possession OF
no less than hundred francs. 1t was night as
he reckoned out his equivocal gains, and he
counted them at the light of lamp He looked
up at the lamp, In doubt as to the course he
should next pursue: upon it was inscribed the
simple number, 1872 ga gambling-hou
thought Gambouge. 81 wish | had half the
money that is on the table upstairs"
He mounted, as many rogue has done before
him, and found half hundred persons busy at
the table of rouge Ell now. Gambouge's five ma
poleons looked insignificant by the side of the
heaps which were around him; but the effects of
the wine, the thief, and of the detection bv the
pawnbroker, were upon him, and he threw down
his capital stoutly upon the D O.
1t is dangerous spot that 0, or double zero:
but to Simon it was more lucky than to the rest
of the world. The ball went spinning round-
IN 'ts predestined circle rolled, as Shelley has
it, after Goethe-and pumped down at last in
the double zero. One hundred and tnirty-ive cold
napoleons louis they were then) were counted
out to the delighted painter. ''Oh, Diabolus! -
cried, he, ''now it is that [ begin to believe in
thee Don't talk about merit" he cried: talk
about fortune. Tell me not about heroes for the
future-tell me Of zeroeS.n And down went
twenty napOleOnS more unon the n