Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-02-07

Uneasily he strolled among the gam
bling tables, now pausing to glance an in
slant at the game, and then hurrying ner-
vously on again. He had two hundred
dollars in pocket, and-humiliating re-
fection!-it had been given him by his
wife. He must be careful of it; he could
hope for no more.
AS he paced the gaily thronged hall,
he discovered the dark looking stranger
who had confronted him at the entrance
of the saloon, alone, at one of the marble
tables. The eye Of the stranger rested
sharply upon him. Ii was a dark, deep
" expressive blue eye; it seemed not un-
familiar to him. The glalaD-he knew
not why-rivetted him to thgSs pot, and he
stood tremulously gazing at the stranger.
The complexion Of the mysterious per-
sonage was decidedly white. His beard,
jet black, entirely covered the side and
lower part of his face, even to the con-
tour of the mouth. 1t was very long,
and culled gracefully down over the chin.
On his head he wore cap, from beneath
which long, black, glossy curls ioated
down over his coat collar. In stature he
was somewhat below the medium size
Play?' said the stranger, in low gut
teral voice, not unmingled with softness.
Robert Wilson voluntarily seated him
self opposite the dark being. With his
gloved hand the stranger placed fifty
dollar bill on the table.
Highest WINS said he, laconically, as
he pushed the dice box over to Robert
This was certainly an irregular game,
and an irregular method of proceeding,
but il was simple, and in this respect was
preferable to him, so he placed a CORES
ponding amount by the side of it.
Robert shook the dice and cast them
upon the table.
Twelve said the stranger, as he shook
up the box and made his throw
Eighteen continued he, sweeping the
stakes from the table.
The next throw Robert won. The
stake was double-he won again. Mad
dened by excitement, he placed all the
money he had upon the table. The dark
visaged stranger. without MOVING a mus
Gle Of his brow, covered it. AT one fell
swoop Robert was penniless again! Ris-
ing from the table IN a paroxysm of dis
appointment, he was about to rush from
the scene.
Stay said the stranger.
i have not dollar said Robert, bit
lerly.
Your watch
No. replied Robert, firmly, it is my
wife's.'
Your luck will change again
The young man hesitated.
Sure to change, sir continued the
stranger.
With desperate effort Robert drew
the watch from his pocket.
'Seventy-five dollars said he, tremu-
lously.
The stranger placed the amount ON the
table. For several successive throws he
won; but, stalking all again, he was once
more penniless. The watch was again
put down--it was lost!-Robert was in
despair.
You have wife?' asked the stranger.
Il have-God forgive mel replied the
ruined husband, in burst of bitterness.
'Of course you love her not, or you
would not be here continued the other,
carelessly.
i do love her, as love my own soul =
exclaimed Robert, perplexed by the sin
gular turn the conversation had taken.
The character of the professional gam
bier was too well known to him, not to
suspect that the dark stranger had some
object in view, in these inquiries. Those
fearful tales of gamblers who have staked
money against the honor of a wife, flashed
across his bewildered mind, and he shud-
dered to think how near he stood to the
fatal precipice, which might hurl him in
his madness into deeper dishonor.
Would you have her know what you
have done?' asked the stranger, in calm
tone.
Not for the world
Then play again, your chance is good
4 have not a shilling
i will lend you
'On what security?' asked Robert,
trembling for the answer.
Mortgage me your stock of goods
You know me, them
No; but you are shopkeeker.'
L will