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

| hnuincr pihher rum nn auJOinlng taOlc
had in the meanwhile come up, and had
whispered few words to bis comrade dur.
ing the height Of the tumult. The loser for
a time refused, but at last yielded to his per.
suasions, and took up the money to count Il,
while both carefully examined the notes and
bill. There could DO no objection raised
against either, and with heavy sigh tho
banker paid The money, which took all on
his table, as we'll as several packets Of gold.
dust, which the stranger carefully Gu. open /,
examined and then weighed at the bar. All
was in order, and conccaling tho money in
various pockets, ho thrust what remained
into the mysterious bag, and then Quilted the
room, after bowing his thanks to the sur.
rouriossl which were returned by thunder
Ing hurraa and shouts OF applause.
At the upper end Of tho room, and atsuch
an elevation that It could be seen by oil the
company, was the orchestra, filled with q
variety Of musicians, who make what the
Americans termed ga jolly row." They
played dances and marches, from French
and German operas, niger melodies, and
English ballads, whichever came FIRST, and
the purpose was much less amusement than
q means to keep tho visitors amused in the
brilliantly.lightod rooms. Ifths people re-.
moincd thero any length Of time, they
would be scduced to play, however much
they nigh. DO indispo,cd at FIRST and the
winnings always left an ample margin to
cover tho expenses Of the band.
Tho public, too walked carcles,ly up and
down while the music was playing, and only
the backwoodsmcn, who had stood long
enough before the counter TO "leaye their
shadows on the wall ,"as yankee said, turned
round and looked in silent admiration at the
numerous brass instruments, and nudscd
ono another and laughed at the wonderful
man, with tho "shining India rubber trump
et." The wind instruments suddenly ceas-
ed. Tho nearest tho center fell back, and q
young and very beautiful girl came forward
with roll Of music in one hand and violin
in the other"
"Thcro she is ngain-up there ~ the
nearest whispered to each other, and the
eyes OF hundreds were fixed on the charm.
ing apparition, even the tea was neglected
at this moment, and only long Yankee re
mained with q full cup before hiui-it was
the seventeenth that cvcning-with his el-
bows on tho counter. and stared triumphant
ly in the pleasant face OF the dame du comp.
tOir, who found II very difficult not to laugh
in his face, and thus lrightcn away her bcs,
customer. The violin player now commcnc
cd rn cndsgio solo, vhcso gentle undala,ins
sounds were, however, utterly lost in the
noise of tho room. "Bs't, bs't :" was heard
from the lips Of those standing beneath the
orchestra but wha. did the gamblers care
for music, cards and dice kept their senses
enchainod and their ears closed, and loud
curses were the solo reply, when any one
was gently warned to be quiet for the
sake Of tho music"
"D-fne girl up there" said one miner
10 the other, as they stood beneath the orch
csira and looked up. "I'd give a few
pounds II could take her up to our winter
tent. By Jove, how the boys would stare
il | took back such a brcad.ea,er with me y
"Sh'l be an expensive luxury" hi
companion replied )" she looks like grea
lady, and isn't for our Sort"
"Gammon !" said the frs, con,emp,u-
ously. "No, for our sort! Why not car
buy anything with money. | should like ic
know where she halls from !"
"From the old country" a third said, in
low voice, TO the two miners "but shes
no, 10 be had, plenty have tried ,ha, game
That's her father"
"Wherel ThdIellow with tho shabby
black coat, and the long, dark hair Tha,'t
a Spaniard."
"Yes,and as proud as II he were the king
himself"
Blu, he plays high"
"Boih OF lhem," the American said, with
laugh; :" the one up hero, and the Other
below; but with this difference, that ,ha,
girl is the bread Garner, and tho old one
loses the money every nigh, before il
earned, which she gets up there for seduc'
Ing the q green's 10 OOme in.'
"And on wha, do they exist"
"The Lord only knows; they do no, live
expensiyely, a, any rate, and believe they
have room in the house, somewhere under
the roof"
"But wha, the deuce stuff is she play
ingw said the frs, speaker. "She is Ger.
tainly pretty, but is no hand with fiddle
you couldn't dance 10 that music.n
"Well, she don, play exactly for that
purpose" the other said bu, who's go.
ing to liquorl"
"Who's no, goingW tho first laughed
drinking is always better than music.n
The girl above, however, paid no attention
to noise, and played quietly en-. The sound
gradually found its way, gently and still so
powerfully, to tho fnrthes. limits Of the
room, and tho musicians sat silently en-.
tranced, and listened with deep emotion to
the wOndrous harmony. She was q young
girl OF abou, seventeen years Of age certainly
ola southern race, with jet black locks and
eyes, bu. with pallid and yet cxquisitely
transparent features, which, In the excite.
men! Of tho moment, flushed, aud then re.
covered their pristine hue. How had the
poor child conc to this horrible abode o.
crime ! What could have driven her ts
these wild, inhospitablo shores, where III,