The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-05-11

at tho table, between the keeper Of tho
table and his confederate, tho first Of whom
Is slowly shutting pack Of cards, for the
sake Of employment, till the play commence
whilo the other watches, with his little
piercing gray eyes, the cards as they are
turned up. The samo itself is strange to
MS, although the Sraniard on the other side
of tho table, who follows its vici,situdes and
the hands Of the dealer, with scarcely per.
ceptible smile, and without taking for the
present, seems to understand il better thar
We do. 1t i; monte, q Spanish game, and
played with Spanish cards, and tho strange
figures on them, tho crossed swords and
golden balls, the horssmen, instead ofquocns,
etc., attract tho strangers eye above oil,
and impart much higher and mysterious
charm TO the bags Of silve, and gold boldly
stal,ed upon them. The game itself bears
sonic resemblance to lansquena: the right
band card Is for the banker, that to the left
for the player; and for the sake Of conyen'
ience, two or moro cards arc turned up or
either side. The young fellow, in whom we
feel an interest from the outset, cannot be
more than sixteen years OF age, he is tall
and thin, and his features would have some
thing eHcmina.o about them, were 10 moi
for the cleaning eye and the ashy firmly.
compressed lips. His right hand is support
ed on the green cloth Of the table, upon the
centre Of which piles of dollars form bar
ricr round heap Of gold rs we'll as sacks
ofgold dust, and three or four largish mug,
gets and ingots, moro lor.ornamcnt than use
his LEFT hand Is in his pocket, and from be-
meath his hat two or three locks Of auburn
hair peep out. His stake, amounting to
perhaps twenty, or twenty-five Z" eagles"
is on the horscman, and his cleaning eyes
are fixed ncrvously on the hand Of the deal.
ef.
The latter sits coldly and calmly behind
his table, with the cards in his hand ready
,Cturn up, aad casting at intervals rapid
glance at tho stakes to see tha, all is in or
der, the ace and queen are the uppermost
cards-the young fellow has won, and tri.
unphant smile plays on his lips.
W,ll pay you back now for the other
night, Robertson" ho laughed, hOarscly,
between hi, scarce open lips.
~ hope sol" replies tho banker, calmly,
with an equivocal smile. You're in luck,
Lowell, and ought to take advantage Of it."
81 lca1c It on the queen, and put this lot
on ths three"
Here and there few stakes are altered or
withdrawn, the cards are turned up again
both lest.
The young man gtowls fearful but hard
ly audible oath; /; and his hand brings almost
inyoluntarily fresh booty to light in the
shape of o bag Of gold dust, which the bank
.er aOes n5s even dGign to glance NJ. The
bag might contain about TWO pounds, and
the Spaniard standing opposite, now throws
q conple Of ounces on another card.
"You do not trust the gentlcman's luck,
senor," the banker said, smiling, as he held
tho cards firmly in hi, left hand, but kept
his eye firmly fixed inquiringly on that of the
Californian.
"Quien sabc~ he muttcrcd, with indit.
ference but-his card ha, gained.
The young gambler uttered another fear
ful oath, and bis hand sought frenziedly his
poke, for more moncy-but in vain. "No,
there not there - gone = robbed" he
stammcrs to himself, and his eye measure.
and anIiously those standing
round him. lie mocts only indifferent OF
sarcastic glances.
"Comc, stranger ifyou don't play any
longer. mako roomlfor some one cl'o!" said
a bearded man, dressed in . dirty blue and
torn blouse; ut seems to mo you've donc.''
"T'll stop here as long q, like !"
"Comc, sir, you don't play, make room
for another party" said the second banker
who sat very close to him; "our table is
besides, quite crowded"
"I have been robbed" shouted the
young man, casting a furious glance on tht
blouse" shamefully robbed"
"woll, don't look at me, young fellow
in that way" said tho man in blouse, quiet
ly.
"Ill look at whom I please, and any one
who can't stand it may turn away"
"Room there 7" tho man shontod, turn
ing his head 10 those behind; and seiIins
the young gambler with a giants grasp, h'
lifted him up and hurled hin back. "Tak'
carc-tako care! several voices shouted q,
the samo moment; and two or three hands
threw up the arm Of the madman, who arm
ed with revolver, and careless OF tho con
sequences, was aiming point-blank ut hi
assailaul's head. Though so quickly seized
the young sccundrel managed to 6ro twice
before they could tear the pistol from him
and ono bullet broke tho globe Of lamp
while the other went into tho ceiling anC
brought down shower Of plaster. II wa'
not the only mark Of the same sort up there
"Thankyc," the miner in the blue shir
quietly said to tho surrounders. and withou
caring further for tho infuriatcd lad, wht
was foamins at the mouth, aud struggling
with those who held him, he took packet o
gold out ofhis pocket, and put il On the near
est card. Tho young gambler had in tho
meanwhile been dragged to the door by sever
al powerful Irish volunteers, where he was re
ccivcd by two policemen summoned from th'
adjacent station, and borne OF to durance
vile. AL the curiosity-mongcrs in the room
and their namo was lcgion-had thronget
up IN the snot vvhere the shot had been free