The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-03-19
HOW TO PAY A DEBT OF
HONOR

An amusing incident lately took place in
Paris, which can scarcely fail to interest
our readers, and its truth may be relied
upon. A young diplomatist of good family
and fortune, whose handsome person and
winning manners, and unalterable amia.
bility, had insured to him that pOpuLaTite de
salon, so essential to individuals of his craft,
was, about a month ago, a guest at the
mabsiOn of one of the most celebrated Pa.
risian celebrities, where the music of Musard
| mud ~ mysterias OF high play, divided Ia,
attdntion Of the brilliant crowds by whom
The vast saloons were thfonged. For tint
M. de --- suffered himself to be engrosseC
by the goddesses of the ballroom; and t
many charming coquette and ieweled
matron poured forth his offerings of hom
age with the devotion for which he had
been celebrated from his first entree into
| the fashionable circles of the French capi.
tai but at length, wearied by excitement,
and "giddy from excess of light" he saun-
tered into an apartment sacred to the wOr-
ship of MammOn, where he amused himself
for some moments in watching the fiuctua-
tions of the various games which were pro
crossing about him. This state of things
could not endure long. Paris is as proven
bially a city Of gamesters as st. Peters
burgh itself, and every eLegGAt who seeks to
maintain his position in high society is
quite as familiar with the cards and dice,
al with-we were about to say--his brevi-
ary but as such comparison would by
no means have sufficed to imply what they
intended to convey, we correct ourselves,
and substitute in lieu thereOf-with his tai
lofB bills Thus, then, NJ. de ---, from
spectator, soon became an actor in the
busy scene and drawing off his spotless
gloves, and advancing a chair which stood
teinptingly beside small table niched in
small recess draperied with pale blue silk,
found himself opposed to stranger, by
whom he had been invited to essay his
skill, or to amuse his idleness, at one of
those convenient games of chance which
may be practiced en- tete-G-tae. Never were
two individuals more opposed IN manner
and appearance than our hero and his. an
aponist. NJ. de - was refined to a
| fault, and lOw-vOiced as a woman, while
the stranger was forid, loud and abrupt, to
degree almost incompatible with his posi-.
ton as man of fashion. Thus the parties
we're socially mismatched but under cir
importance than the man, and the two an.
tagonists at once proceeded to business.
Our hero, who had prudently provided for.
exigencies of this nature, had unfortunately
.freckoned without his host, for it soon
became apparent that he was no match for
bis noisy opponent and the shining Napo-
Icons which he carelessly placed upon the
table, soon made their way into the g0uSset
of his exulting antagonist. That the play
was perfectly fair, he both felt and saw, but
the success Of the opposite party was so ex-
traordinary, that it plqued his vanity and
when he had exhausted his purse, he still
resolved to perseyere, feeling convinced
that some sudden turn Of fortune must soon
enable him to redeem his ll-luck. He con
sequently, explained to his antagonist that
he had no more money about him, but that
be was ready to continue the struggle on
parole, proposition which was immedi-
ately accepted; and the game was renewed
as energetically as ever, with the same un-
result. Prosperity had, how
ever, tended TO overcome the good breeding
Of his former adversary, who became so
much elated at the,golden harvest which he
continued to reap from the pertinacity of
our hero, that his exultatiOn grew wordy
and noisy, and attracted crowd of idlers
about the l&ble. BAR hfet 0lHp1l
q And nevertheless" he shouted, as he
nossessed himself Of stake after stake,
which he carefully scored against his vic
i'm nevertheless, Monsieur is a perfect
master Of the game Yet you see, gentle1
men, YOU see that he cannot stand against
ny lucky star"
The spectators acquiesced and marvelled, \
md ssh the struggle continued. ID. del
- Who found e infinitely more easy tol
,upport the ill-timed hilarity Of his com
oanion, made no reply to the vain Boosting Y