Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-10-28
A FIFTH AT WHIST,

A FIFTH AT WHIST.
Wehad been playing all the evening at whist.
Our stake had been gold mohur points, and
twenty on the rubber Maxey, who is always
lucky, had won five consecutive bumpers, which
lent self>satisfed smile to his countenance,
and made u.s. the losers, look any thing but
pleased when he suddenly changed countenance
and hesitated toplay; this the more surprised
US, since he was one who seldom pondered,
being SO perfectly master of the game that he
deemed long consideration superAuous.
"Play away, Maxey; what are you about"
impetuously demanded Churchill, one of the
most impetuous youths that ever wore the uni.
form OF the body guards. e.s..
"Hush!" responded Maxey, in tone which
thrilled through US, at the same time turning
deadly pale. 5.7' D '1'.7T
"Are you unwelI?" said another, about to start
up, for he believed our friend had suddenly been
taken i'll. -..-..-s 1...--
"For the love Of God sit quiet!" reioined the
other, in tone denotin9 extreme fear of pain,
and he laid down his cards sIf you value my
life, move not" es +. 4s.t - @ =
"What can he mean!-has he taken leave of
bis senses!" demanded Churchill, appealing to
myself s- '74' .".
"Don't start, don't move, l tell you!' in 4 sort
Of whisper never can forget, uttered Maxey.
"If you make any sudden movement, I'm dead
man." M .sas !, zs95s9f az
We exchanged loala h aeatinued- &,
1annai4 anfst, xnd all may vet be well. I
have cobra capella round my leg"
Our first impulse was to draw back our
chairs; but an appealing look from the victim
induced us to remain, although We were aware
that should :he reptile transfer but one fold,
and attach himself to any other of the party,
that individual might already be counted as q
dead man, 90 fatal is the bite Of that dreaded
monster. #~
Poor Maxey was dressed a. many old resi-
dents still dress in 1nda-namely, in breeches
and silk stockings; he therefore the more plain
" felt every movement of the snake. His coun-
tenance assumed livid hue; the words seemed
to leave hismouth without that feature altering
its position-so rigid was his look. 80 fearful
was be lest the slightest muscular movement
should alarm the serpent and hasten his fatal
bite *. ef ss
We were in agony little less than bis own
during the scene. @ 9&ibEts ,a3ss.&s
aHe is coiling roundv' murmured Maxey;---
Il feel him cold-cold to my limb; and now he
tightenk For the love of heaven call for some
milk! dare not speak loud; let it be placed
on the ground near me, and let some be split on
the floor" 2 - II sgoas.5 a=pe ss' agoI
Churchill cautiously gave the order. and
servant slipped noiselessly out Of the room.
"Don't sir-Norchote, you moved your head.
By everything sacred Iconjure you NOT to do 10
again! It cannot be long ere my fate il decided.
have a wife and two children in Europe; tell
them died blessing them-that my last prayers
were for them; Tho snake Il winding itself
round my lf;--I leave them al possess-I
can almost fancy / feel his breath. Great God!
to die in such manner" svsss8 a
The milk was brought and, carefully put
down; few drops wsre spriukled on the floor
and the affnghted servant drew hack YET :
Again Nancy spoke. ma7f qs@ 60
sNo, no, il has no effect on the coGtrary hs
has clasped himself tighter--he hes uncurled
his upper fold dare not look down, but am
sure be 10 about to draw back and give me the
bite Of death with more fatal pFecision. Re-
ceive NJ, O Lord! and pardon me; my last hour
is come! Again hs pausea Idle firm; bat this
ID past endurance; ah, no; be has undone ano.
thsr fold, and loossns himself. Can hs be-
going to some one elae!"naa gli5ae1 saf=s'f
We involuntaEily started. q aasal 4 saaossd
."For the love Of Heaven stir not; Tn dad
man; bat bear with me. He still looaens; be 10
about 70 dastl Move not, but beware, Char-
chill, he falls Of that way. OF, this agony 10
too hard to besr. Another pesssofe, snd am
dead. No; he felaxesr" 3 as5a6afaa
At that nomentp POOR Maxey ventused to look
down; the snake had unwosnd himself; the Last
coil had fallen, and the reptile waSmaking for
d II am sayed!--saved" and Maxey bounded
from his chair and fell ssnssless into the arms
Of one Of his servants. Ia another instant,
need IL be sddsd, We were oil dispersed; tho
snake was killed, snd our poor friend carried
moro dsad than alive to bis room. @
That scens can never forget; il dwells on
my memory still, strengthened BY the fate Of
poor Maxsy. who from that hour pined 10 hope
less imbscility. and sank into an early grave.
A gentlenan away Of 10 Arkansas, Who had
been stopping At ) eross-country tavern about
two weeks, writes to Z friend about The man.
nsr ia which shotel affairs" are conducted. He
says:
The regulations Of The house ars written in
q bold round hand, aud taeked on 10 the door
Of each bedroom. The pules nrs neidly en-
forced and The slightest lewiston b net with