Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-07-23
Agreeable Surprise.

| There resides in Bordeaux, a young, rich
and handsome widow, who had for six month:
! necessarily lamented the loss of husband, ten
! DERBY beloved. A fatal storm had wrecked the
vessel in which he had embarked and everv
! soul on board it was supposed had perished.--
The young widow, though surrounded by ad-
mIrers, observed very scrupulously the rules
OF decorum; at length, however, the persua-
sions Of her friends had effect, and she once
more threw open her doors 10 receive compa.
ny.
Madame st. Amere had one foibe, she loved
play 10 excess-and this foible alone threatened
TO involve her in much trouble. Onthe evening
of her first fete, tall, graceful figure masked
followed her, paying her innumerable silent at
tentions. To rid herself OF his opportunities
she sat down at the card table and was successful
or about an hour.
The mask who had fixed himself behind her
chair, then solicited the honor of playing with
her, which she granted, and renewed the game
with fresh Spirits though not with equal good
fortune. Madame was piqued ut the superior
skill of the impertinent mask, and staked 10 an
immense amount. Still the stranger was tri-
umphant, and pulling from his pocket large
purse of gold, taun,ingly dared her TO risk the
like amount. Although absolute ruin might
have been the consequence of her imprudence,
Madame would not recede, but anxiety and vexa-
ton marked her countenance. For some time
the game was doubtful at length the malignant
deity decided against her, and the rash widow
found her fortune destroyed by one nights fol-
ly. Her anguish could not be concealed, she
rose abruptly from the card table, when the mask
IN an Inslnuaung tone of voice, limited 10 her that
she need not put herself to any Inconvenience to
make up this debt of honor, as he could wait her
leisure, or compromise it, in some other way
with more pleasure TO himself, and less cmbar-
rassment to her.
She darted at him a look of rage and con-
tempt. "Who art thou wretch" she excuim-
ed, "who darest thus 10 insult me in my own
house ?"
"Softly, madame" replied the mask, 81 am no
gambler, nor needy observation-disclosures are ladies'
who would not be ungrateful for such an accom-
modation."
Madame burst into tears. GOOD Heavens
must endure this insolence quit my house, sir;
and if you are gentleman, make good your
claim Tomorrow"
"No, madame, will not quit your house to-
night, my claim is on your fortune, or yourself
and will make it good, let who will dispute it,"
With these words, he removed his mask when
madame uttered a shrek of joyful surprise, and
tainted in his arms.
The company crowded round her they were
chiefly relations, who Immediately recognized the
Chevaer ST. Amere. The raptures of madame
may he easily imagined, when, on recovering
her husband informed her that he had been saw
ed from the wreck by brave sailor, who had taxi
en- him in his own ship which was bound to Pc
ru--and having been fortunate enough to amass
a considerable portion of wealth, had medtated
this agreeable surprise, in hope of curing her of
destructive habit the consequence Of which he
had long dreaded.
Madame embraced him with transport, and
assured him that she would never again yield
to temptations, or continue in practice of which
she now saw the madness in glaring colors.
Having received the congratulations Of their
friends, the amusements of the evening" which
had been so strangely interrupted were again re-
newed and the adventure was for many mo nths
the talk throughout Bordeaux.