The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-08-03

| Nos"'o''', "hSIo He WIS III the DaDlt
OF dining alone, contrary to his custom he
drank great deal, in the hope of getting
rid OF thought; but the wine, on the con.
trary, excited his imagination, and added
new activity to the ideas with which he
was Pre-occupied. lie went home early
threw himself dressed as he was, on his
bed, and fell at once into profound sleep.
When he awoke it was night, or rather
morning, and the moon sbonc into his
room. He looked at his watch, and saw
that 1T wanted quarter to three. He no
longer felt any inclination to sleep, so he
sat on his bed, and thought of the old
countess.
AT that moment somebody in the street
came up to the window, looked into the
room, and passed on. Hermann paid no
attention TO this, but at the expiration of
about minute he heard the door of the
antcchamber open. He Eanc;cd that his
military scrvaut-drunk, according to GUS
tom-had let himself in after returning
from some noctural excursion; but he
soon detected an unknown step. Some
one entered shutiling in slippers over the
hoor. The door opened, aud woman
dressed in white came into his chamber.
Hermann thought at first that it was his
old nurse, and asked her what BROUGHT
her there at such an hour But the fip-
IRE, rapidly crossing the chamber, was in
a moment ut the foot of his bed, and Her
mann recognized the countess!
"1 come to you against my will" she
exclaimed in deep voice. II am com
PEELED to grant your prayer. These cards
Three, Seven, and Ace-will win for
you one after the other; but you are for
bidden to play more than one card in four.
and d-twenty hours, and never to play again
in the course Of your life. | pardon YOU
my death on condition that you marry
Lisabeta Ivanovna."
sipPpstttss, iPtts t&hssa ayAaas she. moved towards
) heard her close the door of the antecham
Der, and directly afterwards saw figur
; in white in the street, whi,h stopped an,
gazed for moment through the window
He remained for s,me time completed,
stupified; he then rose, and went into tn,
; antechambcr. His servant, as he had 4
first imagined, was drunk, and asleep ol
the floor. He had some difficulty i,
awaking him; and when he succeeded
could not get from him the slightest eN
planation. The door of the antechambe
was locked. Hermann Immediately r.
turned to his chamber, and wrote dow
all the circumstances of his vision.
:, From that time forward one idea alon
took possession of his thoughts. Th
/ three cards were constantly present to hi
~ imagination. He was always repeatin
TO himself, "Three-Seven-Ace." |
- every phase Of his daily avocations thes
three numbers were mingled. He erte
:. tained no doubt that 10y their instrume
: tality he should make his fortune, b
or how was he to turn to account seer
;. which he had bought SO dearlyl 1
90 thought Of asking for leave Of absence
of travel, in the expectation that in Pa
70 perhaps he might discover some gamir
- table where he could realize his expect
~ tons. Accident relieved him from his el
e, barrassment.
nd There was at that time at Moscow
To- company of rich gamblers, the presid,
en- Of which was n celebrated man nam
IN Tchekalinski, who had passed all his
mr. in play and amassed al enormous fortu
m. His magnificent house, his excellent c
his sine, and his agreeable manners had GA
,cd ed him numerous friends, and attrac
md the general consideration towards him
of He came to st. Petersburg, and immC
.di- ately all the nobility, old and you
- flocked to his saloons. Hermann '
led taken there by Naroumoff.
md On entering Tchekalinski's hotel, Il
ion passed through a number of rooms fiji
hen with servants, all extremely attentive
ons polite. The guests were innumcrable
we'll In some Of the apartments old gene
pro- and privy counsellors were playing VIII
ere while, in others, young men OF fasf
,uld we're stretched on sofas, eating ice.
old smoking long Turkish pipes. In the r
,un- cipal saloon, at long table, round vi
wo- some twenty players were eagerly gat
TO ed, the master Of the house presided
hen a faro bank. He was q man about
ress. years Of age, a fine countenance, and
ards as white as snow. In his open, tran
the features, good humor and kindness m
cy- be read, and his eyes sparkled with a
cath, petual smile. Naroumof presented
WED mann, and Immediately Tchekalinsk
d TO fered him his hand, said that he was
him come, that there was no ceremony il
nked house, and went on dealing the cards
nasty The deal lasted some time money
! the set on more than thirty cards. AT
ickly coup Tchekalinski stopped to allo'
same winners time 10 double their stakes, {
where TO listen oivilly to the remarks addi
ch.--- to him, and more civilly still to re
mony the stakes which some Of the losers
whis- inadvertently abstracting. AT leng'
0 old deal was over, and Tchekalinski sh
he de the cards, and prepared for a new o
Eng "Will you allow me to choose {
It the said Hermann, stretching out his
Of the over . stout msu, who filed up