Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-06-11

! saying he would return In a few minutes |
The moment the door closed behind him
Cecil snatched up the glass, and pouring
out portion tossed it off at once, and had
only reseated himself when Gerald came in |
One glance at the altered position of the
bottle assured him that all was as he wished, |
and he asked Cecil to accompany him down
the street. They walked briskly for a
| few squares, when Gerald turned into q
narrow and somewhat dark, cross street,
and tapped upon door. 1t opened and
! they passed in, Gerald making no reply to
Cecil's query as to where they were going
They went through second door and Ce-
Gil stopped, astounded as much perhaps at
the scene that broke upon his gaze, Gus tl1cli
| flood of light that filed the room. They I
were in gaming saloon, filed with men
of all nations and evidently of all rank
Cecil would have retired, but Gerald pulled
him forward whispering, "of course l did
not come here to play, but only as specta-
tor.
There was very little noise the CONVEX
Esation around was all in a low tone, and
only the croupier's monotonous voice was
heard at intervals, "taites uotrc .jeu mes
sieurs naessteurs, votre .je@ est-I fat %
and Cecil saw with surprise what sums
were gained and lost upon the turning of a
single card. In few minutes Universe
ty student walked up to them and invited
them to take glass of wine.
Certainly" said Gerald, and slipping
his arm through Cecil's, the three walked
away together to the bar. AS they re-
turned, Gerald remarked to Cecil, {" let
us try a single bet and see if dame Fortune
is for or against u.s."
Well" was the reply, let us get
chairs at the table-a single bet will do no
hurt" In few minutes they were seated,
and each placed small gold coin upon the
red. The cards were cut and dealt, the
croupier cried out " rouge gagne" and
both had doubled their stakes. Gerald
; picked up his money and rose from the ia
bic, but Cecil never moved, and in a mo-
I ment more his stake was doubled again.
: That night when he left the room, leaning
half intoxicated upon Geralds arm, he
was the winner of nearly FIVE hundred dol
lars The next morning when he reAec-
ted upon the occurrences of the previous
9 evening, he upbraided himself in unmeas-
ured TERMS and told Gerald at once that
: his first visit to the gaming saloon should
be his last. Far from opposing this resolu-
ton, Gerald seemed heartily to concur in
it, and assured him that from his impul-
sive disposition he was evidently untitled
: for such course of life.
Now that the first step was taken Cecil
/ cd trp
| and his excesses became daily greater than
= ever before. To his surprise, Whist did
t not afford him the least amusement,
c and even " four by honors" did not
: suffice to rouse his tagging interest in the
o game. He seated himself one evening
L with Gerald, and taking up book endeav.
l. ored to wade through a page Of distracting
t, technicalities, but after a half hours eifor
le to fix his mind upon the subject, he sud
le denly closed the volume and started VI
exclaiming, "I can't study tonight; le
s. us go down to Klinefetters,' and order
cd grand oyster supper and enjoy ourselves
I'D generally for few hours"
an Gerald looked up from his book ant
er gravely replied, / think you had bette
nm remain at home tonight; you know ther
cir will be an examination upon Cerebritis il
pit the morning, and don't suppose you ar
tn more than ready to meet it.
nj That | am not, replied Cecil laughing
eo 'and consequently | shall not 'meet it a
ere all, but | don't wish to draw you ava
VI from your book
lot So saying, he picked up his hatand cam
hS and left the room alone. Gerald onl
yer waited until he heard the front door clos
eau behind him, when he too started up, BILE
MS d out his light, and in FIVE minutes was 70
me lowing Cecil at twenty steps distance, as |
:. al walked slowly down the street. When
llS- got to Klinefctters,' he pushed back Il
ln- door and entered while Gerald waited wit
ler- out. After few minutes he emerged
OF gain, and Gerald followed his now quic
IL eued steps as before. What was his gra
ecii i6cation to see him, after momentary be
uh itation, pass through the door Of the gar
ood ing Saloon and disappear from view.
any The next morning as Cecil was dressil
as score of gold pieces rolled from his CO
'lon pocket, upon the floor. Gerald laughed
Leiy he saw it, remarking never knew y
MS carried your money loose in your coat poe
'rn- ct before, but think could guess when
Ia you brought all these attractive looki
yellow gentlemen
and Cecil's face flushed little, but Geral
his bantering tone restored his cOmposure, a
the he replied, Well if | must confess it
and have tried the fckle GODDESS once more,
his she seems to have changed her nature a
soon for once become model of constaucy.
atal long as | am successful mean to perseve
t TO but the moment my luck changes '
edi- stop and play no more
side THAT certainly is the wiscst cour
lali- sneered Gerald, but do you mean to
With YOU have never lost a stake thus far?
y Not single one,' replied Cecil,
rink matter upon which card, made my
:. the obliging cards favored me, and l
'hed determined to make the most of my g
such fortune
He now neglected his studies more t
q ne ever, spending whole days under the n
60 70 deuing influence Of ardent spirits, and (
,led Try night bending over the accursed gr
rs Oh table covered with its sparkling piece
ne" gold. Gerald pretended to dissuade
i'aeio a. from his ruinons course. He had ami
!. MN tered the arsenic, and now that the POI
l'e.I ragged within, and coaIsed from vein
> anu scip, he besought his victim no: to ass,
III ie- the burning thirst that consumed him