The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-06-22

Behind these stands O man dressed II
black, tall prim, middle-aged gentleman
who may be dumb for all we know to tn,
contrary, for he never opens his mouth
but moves his hands with mechanical pre-
cision. The party now gather in front O
the table-Mr. $ brings forward Q
casket which he unlocks, and places nea,
the pile of checks a glance at its contents
will show you bank-bills, gold, silver, al
piled up promiscuously.
"Give me tho worth Of this C. in red, >
says Henry Winters, passing over an hun.
dred dollar bill, for which he received ten
red checks.
any pile will not allow me to commence
so strong" said Gordon, "Give me change
for Xxx"
Others get their bills changed in the
same way, when the gentleman in black
shutfies bis cards, replaces them in the sill,
YER box, and s. calls out "Make
your bets gentlemen, the board is open."
The hall that only afew minutes before
rang with noisy mirth. was now as still
as death. Every man seemed intently oc-
cupied with the game before him, and no.
thing broke the unearthly quiet, save an
occasional oath from some unfortunate To-
ser, and the gentle click of he checks, as
they struck against each other. Winters
played with the air of man who seemed
not to care whether he lost or won, and af.
ter an hour or two Of Indifferent success,
he left the table. A few others following
his example, Joined him, and after they
had all imbibed," aparty was formed in
a different part Of the room--a conversa.
tion struck up, and Winters was in the
middle of an animated harangue, when a
new conner presented himselfto TO the assem-
bled crowd.
This young man was exceedingly pale.
No embarrassment was visible in his man
ner, yet it was evident that this was his
first visit to S-'s fashionable quar-
ters. He was met near the door by the
obseqpious proprietor, who extended to
him cordial welcome, begged that he
would be seated and make himself per-
fectly at home. Winters stopped in the
midst of his conversation, for in this new
conner he recognized Horace Edgerton =
He knew that Horace new. visited such
places, and when he adv.nced towards his
own party, bowed to them, and to him al.
so, and took seat among them, he was
still more surprised and confounded.
Horace was perfectly at ease he was
acquainted with most Of the party present,
and entered into the conversation with a
spirit and vivacity unusual with him. 1t
was evident that he had purpose in view,
and what that purpose was, Winters was
revolving in his mind, but as yet he could
come to no definite conclusion. He did
not apprehend any personal violence lie
was not The man to entertain cowardly
fears, but after the event that had recently
taken place, his curiosity was very natu-
rally excited, and he resolved, if possible
to find clue to the mystery. He would
at all events discover whether it was his
intention to play, and to that end he pro-
posed to the company quiet game Of
"Brag;" to the surprise of Winters and al
so of the company present, Horace, with
the most natural air in the world, imme-
diately seconded the proposition, and turn
ing so rs to face Winters, he rolled a ta-
BILE between them. None Of the others
seemed inclined to play, and the game
commenced between the two.
Winters was decidedly the best player,
but he evinced no inclination to take ad-
vantage Of his less experienced rival. They
played on for time with varied success,
but at length fortune began to lean in IA
vor Of Winters, yet this circumstance had
no visible effect upon his opponent, who
did not seem the least inclined to give in.
One, two, three hours passed and the
game still continued it was becoming ex-
citing, and circle was formed around the
players. Horace played recklessly, and
!: appeared 20 some Of the by-standers,
that he lost on purpose. Muttered excla-
nations were heard on either side-stake
after stake was piled on and passed from
his hands. Winters became uneasy he
believed Horace insane, but the lat
ter played on his manner, seemingly, be-
came moro and more excited. At length
his agitation became extreme-his fingers
twitched convulsively--the crisis had come
and with one dash Of the hand he pushed
back the table as he exclaimed -
Enough, I am swindled Of the last
dollar"
"Swindled !" echoed Winters, his face
turning black with passion"
AYE, sir, swindled ?" thundered Hor
ace, and he dashed the pack Of cards In
his adyenary's face.
The company now interfered, and fruit
lessly endeavored TO make peace. All ex
cept Winters attributed Horacc's strang,
conduct to his losing all presence Of mind
and being so exasperated at the loss ofhi
money. He was very willing that sucl
should be the general impression he bac
acted his part to psrfection--he had in
vented a pretsxt-~W Winters muet nov
seek HIn.
After this disturbance, the compan,
soon dispersed, and left the establishment
Winten was no longer at . less to &C
count for Horsee's appearance At S----',
be bad at length solved the mystery b