The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-03-05

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ris, which can scarcely fail TO interest our read.
ers, and its truth may be relied upon. young
diplOmatist OF family and fortune, whose hand
some person, winning manners, and unaltera.
Bile amiability, had insured to him that p0pUiOa-
lie de salon, where the music Of Musard, and
the mysteries Of high play, divided the stten-
tion Of the brilliant crowds by whom the vast
saloons were thronged. For time NJ. de -
suffered himself to be engrossed by the goddess
es Of the ball room; and to many charming
eoquette and jewelled mstrOn poured fOrtl his
offerings Of homage with the devotion for which
he had been celebrated from his first entres in
to the fashionable circles Of the French capital;
but at length, wearied by excitement, and gid
dy from excess Of light" he sauntered into an
apartment sacred to the worship Of Mammol,
where he amused himself for some moments il
watching the fluctuations Of the various gamsa
which were progressing about him. This state
Of things could not endure long. Paris is as
proVerbially a city Of gamesters as st. Peters
burgh itself, and every elegant who seeks to
maintain his position in high society is quite as
familiar with the cards and dice, as with-we
were about to say-his bIeviary; but as such
comparison would by no means have suifced to
imply what they intended to convey, we cor
rect ourselves, and substitute in lieu thereof
with his tailor's bills
Thus, then, M. de ------, from spectator,
soon became an actor in the busy scene; and
drawing off his spotless gloves, and advancing a
chair which stood temptingly beside small Ia
BILE niched in a recess draperied with pale blue
silk, found himself opposed to a 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 practised en-
tete tete Never were tGo individuals more
opposed in manner aud appearance than our he
ro and bis antagonist. M. de --- was re-
fined to fault, and lOw.VOiced as a woman,
while the stranger was flOrid, loud and abrupt,
to degree almost incompatible with his posi-
tion as man OF fashion. Thus the parties were
socially mis-mstChsd; but under circumstances
the cards were matter Of more importance than
the man, and the two antagonists at once pro-
ceeded TO business. i
Oar hero who had pradeutly provided ssE
exigencies Of this nature, had unfortunately
''reckoned without his host, for it tsoOn became
apparent that he was no match for his noisy Op-
DOnent; and The shining Napoleous which he
garelessly placed upon the table, soon made theiI
way into the g0NSet Of his exulting antagonist
That the play was perfectly fair, he both felt
and saw, but the success Of the opposite party
was so extraordinary, that it piqued his vanity
and when he had exhausted his purse, he still
resolved to persevsre, feeling convinced thai
some sudden turn Of fortune must sOon enable
him to redeem his ill-luck. He consequently
explained to his antagonist that be had no more
money about him, but he was ready to continue
the struggle on parole, proposition which was
Immediately accepted, and the game was renew.
ed as snergetically as ever, with the same un,
accountable result. Prosperity had, however
tended to overcome the good breeding of hi
brother adversary, who became so much elateC
at the golden harvest which he continued Il
reap from the pertinacity Of our hero, that hi
eXultatiOn grew wOrdy and noisy, and attraetef
crowd Of idlers about the table.
"And nevertheless, +" he shouted, as he possess
ed himself Of stake after stake, which he care
fully scored against his victim; nevertheless
Monsieur is a perfect master Of the camel Ye
you see, gentlemen, that be cannot stand agains
my lucky star."
Thespectators acquesced and marvelled, AM
still the struggle continued. M. de -, VIII
found it infinitely more easy to support the ill
timed hilarity Of his companion, made no repl
to the vain Boosting by which his losses were az
gravated, but he was gentleman, and resolve
not to afford the fortunate gamester the trump
Of percelving that he had ruffled his temper
suddenly however, the happy winner wsxe
more facetious than ever; and while recOrdin
each separate and additional gain, said with
mucking angh, which eIcoriated the nerves Q
his antagonist
again, my dear Monsieur! You may writ
home to your family" z.... ~.
The expression was futile enough; nor was
until it had been several times repeated that M
de - began to feel irritated and impatieu
by its constant recurrence. He nevertheless
contrived to control his annoyance, and persist
ed in playing until the party broke up, when h
rose debtor Of thousand crowns, 10 additio
to the contents Of his purse. to his unmanner
ly adversary. t.
Tomorrow, Monsieur" he said with studie
courtesy ''this little affair shall be settled, an
will then trust to future opPrtunity for m
reVaache."
His creditor laughed loudly once more, le
turned lis parting bow, and hero thre'
himself into his cab, considerably luffled b
the events Of the evening.
On entering his apartment, 3 packet wa
placed in his hand, and he found himOelf di
Iected by his chef to leave Paris on the follow
ing day with important dispatches. This wa
vexatious enough, as it terminated all hope Of tn
revenge which he had eagerly anticipated an
he accordingly resolved to devise some othe
method Of diminishing the arrogant satisfaction
Of bis late opponent +I
Il have occasionally lost larger sums" h
muttered, as he prepared to retire to rest, "bu
never before have Experienced such dislik
TO pay debt Of h0hOFa 10 throw away one
poney unN brute Of thiA description is intolera
bic ] wilt make hini experience, by som
means Or another, the dagger Of triiling wit
the feelings Of gentleman"
Thus resolved, NJ. do -------- soon forgot hi
annoyance in slesp; and in the morning bis ca
was ordered ct an unusually early hour. Som
twenty minutes subsequently II stopped ct III
raaiAanha ~ hia lakn antaannfak n vshnaa no1