Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-09-26

| missing my nonOr ana Such an occasion TO
trample on poor weak woman could not be
lost. Well, we'll Gustav may write to-mor-
row next day. A little more patience; and
it is the only cure for these evils
There was tone of angelic sweetness in
her voice she spoke these words of resigna-
ton, and never did she seem more lovely in
my eyes.
s'Now, then, as L shall not go to the opera,
what shall we do to pass the time. You are
tired-I know you are-of Polish melodies
and German ballads Well, well; then am.
Do you know that We Poles are as great gam
bers as yourselves. What say you.to game
/ It. picqnet -
ssBy all means.' said 1, delighted at the
prospect of anything TO while away the hours
of her sorrowing.
ssThen you must teach me,'' rejoined she
laughing, .sfor don't know it. I'm wretch
edly stupid about all these things, and never
could learn any game but ecarfe."
esThcn ecarte be it,'' said /, and in a few
minutes more l had arranged the little table,
| and down we sat to our party.
s:There,'' said she, laughing, and throwing
| her purse on the table. l can only afford to
| lose so much; but you may win all that, if
| you're Fortunate a rouleau of louis escaped
at the instant, and fell about the table.
.."Agreed,' said I, indulging the quiz. 81
am an nveterate gambler, and play always
| high. What shall be stakes i''
| ssFifty, l suppose said she still laughing,
eswe can increase our bets Afterwards
After some little badinagc, we each played
| a double louis-d'or on the board and began.
For while the game employed our attention,
but gradually fell into conversation, the
cards dropped liStlessly from our hands, the
stakes remained unclaimed, and we could ne
yer decide whose turn it was to deal
ssThis wearies you, L see,'' said She ssper-
haps you'd like to stop?"
s.By no means,'' said, Il like the game of
all things.'' THIS said rather because was
| a considerable winner at the time, than from
any other m olive and we played on till
eleven O'Clock, at which hour l usually took
my leave and by this time my gains had in
creased to some seventy louis.
s.Is.i it not Fortunate said she, laughing,
ssthat eleven has struck (? You certainly have
Won all nav gold, and now you must leave off
in the midst of your good fortune and SO bo"
| soir. Ell a rerdnche.''
| Each evening now saw our little party at
ecarfe usurp the place of the drive and the op-
era; and though our successes ran occasional
| ly high at either side, yet, on the whole, nel-
| therwas a winner, and we jested about the
| impartiality, with which fortune treated
both.
At last, one evening, eleven struck when
was a greater winner than ever, and L thought
| saw a little pique in her manner at the
| enormous run of luck which had experienced
| throughout.
'sCome,'' said she, laughing, "you have re-
ally wounded a national feeling in Polish
heart-you have asserted superiority at a
game of skill. L must beat you - and with
tha. she placed five louis on the table. She
lost. Again the same stake followed, and
again the same fortune. notwithstanding DID
all in my power to avoid winning-of course
without exciting her suspicious.
ssAnd so,'' said she, as she delt the cards,
.EIreland is really so picturesque, as you say ~
beautifully so,'' replied !, as warmed up
by favorite topic, launched forth ints de-
scrption of the moutain scenery of the south
and west; the rich emerald green of the val
leys, and the wild fantastic character of the
mountains, the changeful skies, were all
brought up to make picture for her admira-
ton; and she did indeed seem to epioy it with
the highest zest, only interrupti1g me in my
harangue by the words, ssJe raar que le Roi,'' tc
which circumstances she directed my atten
ton by sweet smile, and gesture of her ta
per finger. And thus nour followed hour; and
already the gray dIwn was breaking, while
was just bsginni.ng an eloquent description o
sThe Killeries,'' and the countess suddenly
looking at her watch, cried out
'sHc,w very dreadful! only think of three
; O'clock
, True enough: it was that hour: ans l started
d up TO say ssGood-night,' shocked at mysei
r for so far transgressing, and yet secretly nat
!. tered that my conversational powers had mad
time slip by uncounted.
@ ssAnd the Irish are really so clever, so gil
Il ted as you say a' said she, as she held out he
hand to wish me good night.
g ssThe most astonishing quickneSs IS theirs,
"a repljed |, half reluctant to depart :snothin
J. can equal their intelligence and shrewdness.
is ssHow charming Bor soir,'' said she, and
4 closed the door.
r What dreams were mine that night. VIII
re delightful visions of lake scenery, and Poll:
re countesses-and mountain gorges, and bll
l eyes-of deep rayines, and lovely forms!
thought were sailing up Lough Corrib; Il
~or@ling and fiecking the ri
--lru, not
xas up, spe-e-