Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-01-21
TCesdaY.

glanced at its contents-it was from Ellen's
sister -
B Tuesday, --
DEAR ELLEN:-With a heart bleeding with
anguish, | set down to communicate to you in
~telligence of bitter, bitter sorrow. Death. with
its awful t~errors, is in our midst. The hand
of a ruthless epidemic has fallen upon us and
scores of all ages have sunk in the repose OF
deaths dark night.
Our father aud mother, dear sister, are nc
more! they died within a few hours of each
other, in the agonies of the cholera. Hasten to
US, if you are not afraid of contracting the dis
ease.
Your sister, in the bitter bonds Of affection,
MARY -
This was the first cup of sorrow that had
ever been pressed to their lips-the loss of
friends was the first bitter sorrow that was
theirs hitherto only the bright pictures oflife's
fitting panorama had been presented to them,
the golden paintings of unsullied happiness,
but now there was one of the dark pictures of
the eventful catalogue before them, and they
were sad, sad and burthened with grief.
The fear of the epidemic amounted TO a pan
ic. and Eugene and Ellen declined visiting the
homestead, and the remains of their parents
were locked in the cold charnei house, without
their seeing them.
/ For several days Eugene confined himself
Aatshome, vainly endeayoring 10 console hisgwife
I'D her for her loved parents. While he
IS thus at home suffering under the torture of
grief, we will pay a visit to the saloon of Du-
rand q Go. and see what is going on there.
As we are passing through the noisy hall
the following conversation falls upon our ear
Melville was here the other night said
tho attendant wa hoyo Soon hocoro ID l.
seemed to enjoy the time finely with DAVIS
All, that is his first visit, 7 Believe aid the
senior partner.
Yes, but | think he willcome again hope
he will at least for he would make a capital
customer
Truly spoken, for he is rich himself. and
does not stand on trifes, besides, he being a
man of high life, his influence would be worth
something to our business his witty talents
would attract many more. By the way, I will
venture upon making him a present, although
a stranger. When he comes again give him a
bottle of our best old Madeira, with nv re-
.spects.'
This was said, and a significant wink ac-
companying it, which was returned by the iu-
Nor partner.
We pass on to a darkened room shaded with
red curtains-the gambling room of Durand
q Cos saloon, and this is the scene In the
tarthest end OF the room stands a little table.
and leaning upon It are two men. That one
with dark hair, quick blue eyes, restless cour-
t%enance, long and sinewy limbs, cunning look,
elegant dress, and rich ~jewelry, is Burney.-
That other thick set fellow, with coarse stiff
hair and whiskerS. intellectual forehead and
winning manners, is Davis. We have seen
him before. The two are in a conversation.
DO you think he could be lured with the
bait said Burney.
Nothing %easier,' was the reply of Davis =
have | not studied his character attentively.
and learned it all by rote !? my word for it. he
will be an easy bird to catch
You say he was with you in the first act
the other nightY'
Yes, and we two cracked a bottle of Ma
deira, and are under promise for another
And it worked well for the first T.
Amazingly wellp
sHe.Was not in this room ?,
Ntver; whaf IN the first act !! why man.
YOU forget your part of course he
not in this ROOM
Have you a plan ?
Never without one, Burney. The plot is
this: | shall secure his presence here, and get
him excited with wine, that is the frst-I will
profess strong friendship 10 him. When YOU
Ind him fully mp to the mark, you will banter
him for a game on a small stake in The red
He will perhaps refuse. You will in
! will take his part and chide You for BAN
tering a gentleman wholly unaequainted with
the games, aud | will propose TO be his part
and play against you and another. You
will cavil for some minutes and finally take me
up, but not without evident signs of reluctance,
You will choose a partner-Dedham, of course.
aud we will open The game. You will suffer
us to win the small stakes up TO the last deal.
md | will then shift my hand and throw the
chances in your favor, and then we will divide
he spnils. But stop, here is difficulty in that
plot | must have money for the first rounds
or it would look unprotessional to ask my part
1er TO lay the first stakes
That shall be no excuse, Davis said Bur-
aey, here, take that and work a good interest
lpOn it, and he slid into his hands a heavy
purse of coin.
'All right said Davis, this will serve for
he first rounds, and by that time he will be-
come interested and excited, and be ready to
stake his estate upon the last deal.'
Come, it is growing late-there is no chance
# doing anything here TO night. will lead
.edham into the light of our speculation. So
health to Eugene Melville, and good night
With this the professional thieves separated,
md as my reader has the plo, that was laid for
he young b~arrister, we too will part to meet
lgain in onr next chapter.
(T0 BE Co%NTINUED.)