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


sorts of luck in his new career.
"There !" said Hermann, having writ
ten some figures on the back of his card.
"How much 2" said the banker, half
closing his eyes. "Excuse me, 1 don't see
the amount"
Forty Thousand roubles," replied
Hermann.
AT these words all eyes were turned on
the young officer. "He has lost his SEN
ses," thought Naroumoff.
ALLOW me to observe to you, sir" said
lchekalinski, with the same eternal smile,
"that you play rather high. No one here
ever puts down more than two hundred
and seventy-fve roubles on the first card"
Very WELL" returned Hermann; "but
will you meet my stake Yes or no?"
Tchekalinski bowed his acceptance, OBJ
serving, however-"I merely wished you
to know that, although l have the most
perfect confidence in my friends, l can on
Iy deal ready money. am convinced
that your word is as good as gold but in
the regularity of the game, and to facili-
tate calculations, shall be obliged to you
to put your money on your card"
Hermann drew Il note from his pocket
book and, handed it over to Tchckalinski,
who satisfied of its value at glance, plac-
ell it on Hermann's card.
lie then dealt. To the right hand a
Ten was turned; to the left a three
81 win !" said Hermann, showing his
card.
A murmur of astonishment spread
amongst the players. For an instant the
bankers brow contracted but his habitu-
al smile Immediately returned.
"Shall | pay you!" he asked.
"lf you please" was the reply.
Tchckalinski took some bank-notes from
his portfolio and handed them over to
Hermann, who pocketed his winnings, and
left the table. Naroumof could not re
fnSGr from his surprise. Hermann stay
! The next evening Hermann returne
to Tchekalinski's and found him dealin
. as before. He went up TO the table; tn
,, players made room for him and the bar
, ker smiled as he approached. He waite
= for the next deal, and then took car
- on which he put down not only his orig
= nal forty seven thousand roubles, but tn
- sum which lie had won the night befor'
: TchckaIimski dealt: Knaye was tdrne
: up on the right, n Seven on the left. He
mann showed Seven
" There was general exclam ation.-
Tchekalinski was evidently i'll at his eas
he counted ont ninety four thousand lol
e blcs and gave them to Hermann, VIII
e took them with the greatest GOODNESS, an
Is left the room.
& On the following day hc returned {
n the accustomed hour. Every one was @
SC the tiptoc OF expectation even the o
J. generals and privy-counsellors left the
IL whist to witness play Of such magntud
Ut The young officers quilted their sofas al
CT the people Of the house all flocked roun
le Hermann was the object of evcrybod,
10 attention. At his enterance all the 9th
riS players ceased, painting in their innpatier
nS to sec him set to work with the bank
"a who, pale, but smiling still, observed h
III take his place at the table, and prepar
singly to play with him. Each Of The
at the same time undid pack of car
ent Tchekaliuski shufflcd and Hermann c.
led he then took card, and covered will
life a heap of bank notes. The movem
ne. was on each side were like the prepa
az tions for duel. A deep silence reigI
IN, through the hall.
ted Tchekalinski began to deal-his ha
- trcmbled. lie turned up a Queen on
,di- right, on the left an Ace.
Nc, The Ace WINS" said Hermann, rnc
vas ering his card.
"Your Queen has lost" observed TC
hey kalnski, in the softest tone possible.
led Hermann started. Instead of an
aud he saw before him the Qceen of SpaC
- He could not believe his eyes, nor un
rails stani how no could have made sue
list; mistake. With his eyes fixed on the
hon tai card, it seemed TO him that the Ql
!, or Of Spades winked at him, and smiled
,rin- risiyely. lie recognized with hon
hich strange resemblance between the O.
her of Spades and the Countess Anna +
over tovna.
,ixty "Accursed old womanw he mutt
hair be ween his teeth.
lauil Tchekalinski raked up his winning
light Hermann remained for some time mo
per less-stupefed. When at last he
Her the table there was buzz ofconverss
i o. "Tha: was a famous stake !" said the
well ers. Tchekalnski shuffled the cards
a his the game went on.
, was Hermann went mad. He is now
every lunatic hospital Of Qboukoff, in cell \
" the He never replies TO any question
o pay addressed to him, but is heard ince
-essed ly repeating: "Three Seven.
claim Three--Seyen-Queen" !"
were Lsabeta Iyanovna married vel
Ii the liable young man, the son Of the $!
'uffled Of the late countess. Prince Paul B
ne. the husband of the Princess Pai,lin
,ardw -~@-
hand EE Ny TAIL IL ended, as the
almost said when he turned To n frog.