The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-09-17


gambling halls, around small table un.
der the rotunda, at which were seated
two players They were Sir James
Rally and Prince Gouloubskoff. For
two days these two had been contending
for victory-pow at lasquenot, now at
faro now at ecarte-and the losses of
Rally amounted to 100000 rubles The
game at present was ecarte aud had been
four against four but the bettors becom.
ing alarmed, thought it prudent to re.
sumo their stakes they we're renewed
by the Prince and Rally, and the stake
now amounted to the round sum Of
10000 forms.
The cards were shufled and distribu-
ted-the trump card Vas hearts they
were to be renewed twice
Fire spa rkled in the eyes Of the Prince,
but those Of Rally were impepetrable.
1t was not a man, but a statute, the ex
preston never changed.
Hearts said the Prince.
Il have it.
Hearts ! he replied.
Here it Isl
Hearts again.
'Hcrer
IIeartsp
Rally leaned back in his chair, look
ing with Indifference on the table, the
heap Of gold to which the hands of the
Prince were eagerly extended.
The joy of Gououbskoff amounted to
intoxication; you will not quit playing |
hope Sir James, he said an English
man never abaudons the field Of battle
Never, Prince nor Russian either.
Is it not so p
1T is national prejudice with us but
perhaps you would like to change the
game Will faro for two suit you2'
Faro let it be-
The two adversarics entered the lists
The Prince held the bank, and gained
10000 roublcs. His good fortune seem
ed fatality itself Yet the perfect calm
ness OF the Erglshman was not less as
tonishing He pursued his object with
the impassiblity of the compatriots be-
fore the French battalions at Waterloo,
when Wellington, seeing his soldiers fall
Que after the other, took out lis watch
and said: 'They die at so many minute;
| have yet such number Of of men it
well be an hour before the last one falls.
-Blucher will have time to arrive, the
victory is mine =
Rally dct in his turn. This time
fortune passes over to his side. He
gained lie doubled his stake and gain.
ed again. Ho had just gathered $4,000
roublcs, when he announced he had trip
led his stake.
The Prince was too good a player to
recoil Rally still gained, Gouloubskof
still played on till he had exhausted all
the gold and notes at his disposal. He
then proceeded to play on credit, chalk.
ing the stakes upon the table. Rally
accepted and gained three times in sue.
ccssion
by St. George he cried, Il have gain
ed 900 600 roublcs'
Il congratulate you said the prince,
/ with nervous contraction OF counten-
ance. He began to suffer.
You will not quit playing, l hope,
Prince, A Russian never abandons the
field of battle
Never. Sir James,as told you. But
shall we change the game ? The air is
sitting here. Let us GO into the garden
You have the reputation Of marksman;
suppose we try shot
Rally, who saw the feverish agitation
of his companion, readily accepted. Be-
sides, custom required that he should be
at the disposal Of his adversary.
In a moment the hall was empty.
What shall be the stake, Sir James ?
Two hundred thousand roubles.'
Agreed, but l have no more gold a
| must not exchange my credit at the
bank of Vienna which is quite indispen-
siblo to me
Then I will wager 100000 roub!es
against one of your estates
Do you wish to become Muscovte pro-
prietor2'
1T is mere whim, like any other.
'And one which | am not desposcd to
thwart have something of that value
near Moscow. 1t is on the declivity of a
hill from which you can see admirably
the vet smoking ruins of the holy city,
| have also at two miles from Vologda
-
Rally shrugged his shoulder. 1T is to
cold he said
'Ah. then have something else which
nav suit you-a charming little village
nea- the Volga.'
Here goes for the Volga, then. Aud
YOU estimate this rrorortv'
At something note ,hAn 100 600 rou-
bles.
'Tben I add so 600 to my stake
Agreed but have not the title
deeds here
Pen, lux and paper can supply them
Writing materials were brought, and
the Prince engaged in writing tho trans
fer to Sir James, if he were the winner,
the title of his domain upon the Volga.
The bet was to be decided by ten shots
They drew lots for the first fire, and
the Prince won and took his place
About seventy feet before him were
placed in circular line, five small cages,
twelve feet apart, each containing pig
con. Cords were attached to the trap
doors which closed the cages, and were
sufficiently long to reach the spot where
the marksman stood, which was called
Z Al ha