Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-03-15

hOM; We musJ separate. our lrlcuuS VIII
seek you. |. wonld avoid meeting them"
-Four days after this conference, a dense
crowd was collected in one of the gaming halls,
around a small table under the rotunda, at
which were seated two players. They were
Sir Jamas Rally and Prince Gouloubskotf.
For two days, these two had been contend
ing for yictory--now at lansquenet, now at
at faro now at ecarte; and the losses Of
Rally amounted to 200 600 ronbles. The
game at present was ecarte, and had been
four against four; but the betters, becoming
alarmed, thought it prudent to resume their
stakes; they were renewed by the Prince and
Rally, and the stake now amounted to the
round sum Of $4,000 horins.
The cards were shulfled and distributed;
the trump card was hearts; they we're to be
renewed twice.
Fire sparkled in the eyes of the Prince,
but those of Rally were impenetrable 1t
was not man, but statute, the expression
never changed
Heartsw said the Prince.
have it.n
Heartsl' he replied.
Here it's
Hearts!r again.
Herew
"Hcarts.v
Rally leaned back in his chair, looking
with indifference on the table at the heap Of
gold, to which the hands of the Prince we
eagerly extended.
The Joy of Gouloubskof amounted to in
toxication; "you will not quit playing, hope,
Sir james, he said "an Englshman never
abaudons the field Of battle"
Never, Prince nor Russian either
Is it not sor'
1t is national prejudice with us; but
perhaps you would like to change the game.
viii faro for two suit your"
Faro let it bcp
The two adversaries entered the lists again.
The Prince held the bank and gained 20, 600
roublcs His good fortune seemed fatality it.
self Yet the perfect calmness of the English
man was not less astonishing. lie pursued
his object with the impassibility Of his com
patriots before the French battalions at Wa
terloo; when Wellington, seeing his soldiers
fall one after the other, took his watch, and
said: "They Gle at so many : minute; have
yet such number Of men; il viii be an hour
before the last one falls; Blucher viii have
time TO arriye the victory is ninew
Rally dealt in his turn. This time fortune
passed over his side He had just gathered
up so, 600 roubles, when he announced that
he had tripled his stake.
The Prince was too good player to re-
coil. Rally stilled gained. Goulonbskoif
still played on, till he had exhausted all the
gold and notes at his disposal. He then pro-
posed to play on credit chalking the stakes
upon the table Rally accepted, and gained
three times in succession.
"By ST. George, he cried, " have gained
900, 600 roubles"
al congratulate you," said the prince,
with a nervous contraction Of the counten-
once. lie began to suffer.
"You will not quit playing, hope, Prince
A Russian never abandons the field Of
battle"
"Neyer, Sir James, as told you. But,
shall we change the game? The air is isstitiing
here. Let US go into the garden You have
reputation as a markslnan; suppose We try
shotD
Rally, who saw the feverish agitation of
his companion readily accepted. Besides,
custom required that he should be at the dis
posal Of his adversary.
In moment the hall was empty.
"What shall be the stake, Sir Jamesw
"Two hundred thousand ronbles."
"Agreed, but | have no more gold; and
| must not exhaust my credit at the bank of
Vienna, which is quite Indispensable to me-"
"Then | will wager 200, 900 roubles against
one of your estates
"Do you wish to become Muscovite pro-
pretorg'
at is mere whim, like any otherp
=" And one which | am not disposed to
thwart. have something of that value
near Moscow. 1t is on the dcclivity 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 shoulders. at is too
cold he said.
"Ah! then | haze something else which
may suit you, a charming little village near
the Yolga"
Here goes for the Volga, then. And
you estimate this property"
"At something more than 100000 rou-
bles."
"Then add $4,000 to my stake"
Agreed; but have lot the title-deeds
heren
"Pen, ink and paper can supply them"
Writing materials were brought, and the
Prince engaged in writing to transfer 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
Princes won, and took his place.
About seventy feet before him were placed,