Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-12-06

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Rouge ct Noir table with its anxious circle,
and groups of players a, other games Of which
was ignorant Of the name, were all busiy en-.
gagged as we entered. We had passed through
two apartments and reached a third, in which
were but four players, playing in pairs at dif
lerenl tables. As we entered, we sat down at
an unoccuped table for moment, when as we
did so, we heard one Of the two men nearest
us say 10 his opponent
That's the last dollar luck is yours, and
Tn cleaned OUT
But you wear good ring. said his oppo-
nent. See | will give you a chance for
revenge. I'll back my ring against yours on
the mex, game. 1t is ring | won at play
from Kentucky boy who came TO New Or
leans to see the sights, said he, carelessly.
How little did he know those words, so
lightly spoken, sealed his doom.
Mo- said his opponent; IN meet you to-
morrow night. won't pledge my jewelry
yet
As the player, who was sitting with his
back partially towards Us, mentioned Kentucky
in his conversation, saw Thorn listened with
eagerness, and as he twisted the ring he offer
ed to BET upon his finger, saw the Kentueki-
an turn deadly pale, His eyes glowed like
fire for an instant, then his countenance as
sumed its usual calm and placid look-and. TO
our amazement, he rose and walked across the
apartment to the player, who had just been
en by his companion, courteously proposed In
try hand or two with him il agreeable, and
il we, his friends, would excuse him for short
time. or course we asseuted-so did the gam
bier, who appeared at first somewhat surprised
at the proposition, but probably resolved 10 try
his skill upon the new conner.
The cards were dealt, and the game proceed
ed. We were sufficiently near 1, see that the
piece Of gold which constituted the first stake
was won by our friends opPonet, so also was the
second. The third stake Thorn gained. And
thus they went on alternately winning aud To-
sing, till at last Thorn carelessly observed
That's pretty ring you offered to BET a.
while ago, stranger. VIII you sell it =
well, as to that said the stranger, its
pretty enough aud cost me enoueh--for young
fellow pledged il to me some ,hree years ago
as a sort Of note Of hand, which he promised
to redeem with some Eve hundred that he owed
uC-a htot W olt--out Ht ht'tt faiu
il; so retain the ring. No, stranger, guess
! won't sell it,
But the owner you should have made him
pay five hundred dollars is a dear price for
such bauble.
Why, as 10 that said the player, as he
gathered up his cards for the next hand, 'he
couldn't come TO time very we'll, for he paid
the debt OF nature as they say, the same night,
and that cancelled my obligation. All! the
stake is mine there's always luck in this
ring, sir, believe said he, as he drew the
money towards him Suppose we try lar
ger stake and he prepared to shuttle the cards
again.
As you like, said Thorn.
well, what shall ii be = said his opponent
anything from one 10 five hundred dollars /"
and he threw a bank note Of that denomination
careessly as il in bravado, upon the table.
To our surprise. Thorn drew a wallet from
his pocket. aud produced an equal amount Of
money, then sweeping the cards they had been
using from the table to the floor, he called for
fresh pack, and passing them, as the attend
aht brought them to him, rapidly through his
hand, he gave them to his adversary, remark
ing To him as he did so, to mind his deal this
time fixing upon him searching glance as
he went through that operation. The game
was that known as 'hluf, or poker know
not which, but at any rate one on which the
players bet upon the cards they hold. Thorn
and his opponent having each glanced at their
cards, commenced the game.
I'm go you one hundred said Thorn com
mencng.
Two hundred better than that, said his OPP
ponent.
Another hundred continued Thorn.
Hmm! three hundred better said the
gambler producing the notes from his pocket
book.
three hundred more,' said Thorn quietly.
The game was getting exciting to us specta-
tors three thousand dollars lay upon the ia
BILE to be decided by the cards held by the play
ers, each Of whom by his bets seemed to be
confident Of success, though their counlenances
betrayed not the least emotion.
'One hundred MORE said the gambler again.
Il call you,' said Thorn.
AN three kings and an deer said the sharp.
er, triumphanily.
THREE ACES AND KING y said Thorn, qu-
eily, as he displayed his own cards, and with
his eyes fixed steadily upon his opponent, fold
ed up the money and crammed il into his pock-
ct.
Fortune favors you said the gambler, sto-
ically, too we'll schooled to betray any emotion
or chagrin at the result.
So il seems sal d the other.
But hope to meet you again, sir /; for |