The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1852-07-02
house was also securely bu, uaob.rusive.

One only fear disturbed me; Il wa,
lest the scoundrels should take alarm in
sufficient time 10 extinguish the lights
destroy the forged papers, and possibly
escape by some private passage ,ha,
might, unknown TO me, exist.
RousinQ myself, as soon as the play
was resumed, from the trance of memory
by which | had beenlin some sort absorb
ed, and first ascertaining tina, the handles
| Of my pistols were within easy reach
for | knew ! was playing desperate
game Nth desperate men-I rose and
stepped carelessly 10 the door, partially
opened II, and bent forward, as if listen.
ling for repetition Of the sound which
had SO alarmed the company. To my
great delight the landing and stairs were
filed with police officers--sileat and
stern as death. drew back and walked
towards the table a, which M. Metron
was seated. The last stake--an enor
nous one--was being played for. Mer
ton lost. He sprapg upon his feet, death
ly-pale, despairing, overwhelmed, aud I
hoarse execralion surged through hi
c!enched teeth. Sandford and his associ
ates coolly raked the plunder together
their features lighted up with 6endish
glare.
"villain!-lraitor!- miscresnl!" shrek.
ed Mr.. Morton, as if smi,ten with snddeu
frenzy. snd darling a. Sandford's throat
"you devil that yoG are, have undone
destroyed me-"
"No doubt of IT," calmly replied Sand
ford, shaking off his victims grasp; sand
| think il has been very arii tically and ef
fectually done too. Snivelling. nv fine
fellow, will scarcely help you much"
Mr.. Merton glared upon the ,auntine
villain III speeches. agony and rage.
"No, quite SO fast, Carbon, il you
please" exclaimed, at the same time
taking up bundle OF forged notes. 1t
does mot appear to me that Mr.. Merton
has played against equal stakes for un-
quesliopally this paper is not genuine )"
"Dogr roarsd Sandford, "do yon
hold yodr life so chsap?" ana ho rushed
towards me, as it to seize the forged
notes.
wss as quick as he, and the levelled
tube ofapistol sharply arrested his eager
onslaught. The entire gang ga,hered
near us, flaming with excitement. Mr..
Merton looked bewildered from one to
another, apparently scarcely conscious
Of what was passing around him.
"Wrench the papers from him!"
screamed Sandford, recovering his ener-
gy. "Seize him-stab, strangle him!"
"Look to yourself, scGundrel!"
shouted with equal vehemence. "Ynur
hour has come! Officers, enter end do
your da,Ym
In al instant the room was filed with
the police; and surprised, panic.striken,
paralyzed at the suddenness of the ca,as
irophe, the gang were all secured without
the slightest resistance and marched off
in custody.
Three-Sandfofd or Carbon, but he
had half a dozen aliases ,&were
transported for life; the res, we're
sentenced to various terms Of impnson. =
ment. My task was effectually accom-.
rlished. My superiors were pleased 10
express very warn, commentator Of the
manner in which had acquitted myself;
and the first step in the promotion, which
ultimately led to my presen, position
in another branch Of the public service
was soon after conferred upon ne. Mr.,
Merton had his bonds. obligations jewels,
and money restored to him; and taught
wisdom by terrible experience. never
again entered gaming house. Neither
he nor his lady mother was ungrateful for
the service had been fortunate enough
10 render them.