Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-03-01

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yet been fifty leagues away from
Madrid. Nor had the stranger
conversation less charms for the oil
banker. Valleja had been at th'
| Havanna; was acquainted with scenes
, if not with persons, with which wer'
associated some of Don Jose's mos
agreeable "reminiscences : scenes thai
be had visited in the days of hi
youth, when he laid the first founda
ton of his princely fortune. 70 bt
brief; the agreeable manners and
conversational the Count SO won up
on father, son, and daughter, that
when at nightfall he rose to take his
leave, ihe banker put his house a 50
dtsposician. and followed up what is
usually mere verbal compliment
by insisting upon Valleja's taking up
his abode with him during his stay
in Madrid. Vallt ia raised many diff
| Gculties on the score of the inccnve-
niences or tioable he might occasion;
but they were all overrultd, and the
contest of politeness terminated in
the Counts accepting the hospitali-
ty thus cordially pressed upon him.
The very next day he was installed
in splendid apartment in the house
of Don Jose % "
Several days, even weeks, elapsed,
during which time Valleja continued
to be the inmate of the Casa Solano.
He appeared very we'll pleased with
his quarters; and. on the other hand,
his host found no reason 70 regret
the hospitality shown him. He soon
became the spoiled child Of the fami-
ly; Don Jose could not eat make a
meal without Valleja was there TO
chat with him about the Havana;
Raphael was the inseparable compan-
ion of his walks, rides, and outdoor
diversions; while the blooming Mar
quita never seemed so happy as when
the handsome Mexican was seated
beside her embroidery-frame, con-
versing with her in his low soft tones,
or singing to the accompaniment of
her guitar, some of the wild melo-
dies of his native couetry, lnded.
SO marked were the Counts, atten-
tions to the young girl, and so favor
ably did she receive them, that more
than one .officious or wellmeaning
friend limited to Don Jose the pro-
priety of instituting some inquiry
into the circumstances and antece-
dents of man who, it seemed not
improbable, might eventuall " aspire
to become his son-in-law. But the
bankers prepossession in favor of
Valleja was SO strong, that be gave
little heed to these hints, eontenting
himself with writing to bis CORES
pondents at Mexico, expressing the
pleasure he had had in making the
Counts acquaintance, and receiving
him as an inmate in his house; but
without asking for any information
concerning him. In fact, the letter
Valleja had brought him was such as
to render any other inquiries super
fluous. i. mentioned the Count as
of noble and respected family, and
credited him to the amount OF ten
thousand dollars-a sum Of sufh.
cient Importance to make it presum-
able that his means we're ample.
Before Valleja had been three
days at Maerid, he had obtained his
entree to house at which a number
of idlers and fashionables were in the
habit of meeting to play monte the
game of all others most fascinating
to the Spaniard. Thither he used
to repair each, afternoon accompa-
MED by Rafael Solano, and there be
soon made himself remarked by his
judgment in play, and by the cool
indifference with which he lost and
won very considerable sums. For
some time he was exceedingly sue
cessful. Every stake he put down
doubled ITSELF he seemed to play
with charmed money; and the bank,
ers trembled when they saw blm ap-
proach the table, and aftera glance at
the state of game, place = pile Of
gold ounces on a card, which almost
invariably won the very next mo,
ment. This lasted several days, and
he began to be considered as invln: Y
cible, when suddenly his good Tor
tune deserted him, and he lost as
fast, or faster, than he had previously
won; SO that, after a fortnight OF IN
cessant bad luck, it was estimated by
certain old gamblers who had taken