The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-05-13

precincts of one of those glittering and
gorgeously furnished Establishments
vestibules to the Internal regions-where
men were engaged in various games Of
hazard.
The interior Of a gaming house has
been too frequently described to need
REPETITION. The Faro Bank with its
crowds of betters, the Rouge et Noir
table with its anxious circle, and groups
of players at other games of which | was
ignorant Of the name, were all busily 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 different tables AS
we entered, we sat down at an unoccu.
pied table for a moment, when, as We did
so, we heard one of the two men nearest
us say to his opponent
That's tie last dollar; luck is yours,
and I'm cleaned out
But you wear good ring said bis
opponent. 'Secl will give you a chance
for revcnge. I'll back my ting against
yours on the next game. It's ring |
won at play from Kentucky boy that
came to New Orleans to see the sights
said he carelessy
How little did he think those words
so lightly spoken, had sealed his doom
MOI said his opponent, rising III
meet you tomorrow night. L wont
pledge my jewalry yet
As the player, who was sitting with
his back partially towards us, mentioned
Kentucky IN bis conversation, | saw
Thorn listen with eagcrness, and as he
twisted the ring he offered 10 bet, upon
his finger, saw the Kentuckan turn
deadly pale. His eyes glowod like fire
for an instant, then his connteuance again
assumed its usual calm and placid look
and, to our amazement, he arose, and
walking across tho apartment to the
player, who had just been left by his
companion, courteously proposed to try
a hand or two with him if agreeable, and
short time Of course we qsscnted SO
did the gambler, who appeared at first
somewhat surprised at the proposition,
but probably resolved to try his skill up
on the new conGr.
The cards were dealt and the game
proceeded We wore sufficiently near
to see that the piece of gold which con.
srituted the first stake was won BY our
friends opponent SO, also tue second.
TIE third stake Thorn gained. Aud
AbUs. tBasy syeHt dsltfrn1t6l yaKiEaylg
observed
That's a pretty ring you offered to bet
while ago stranger, VIII you sell it p
Well, as to that said the other, it's
pretty enough, and cost NE enough, for
a young fellow pledged it to mo some
three years ago as sort Of note of hand,
which he promised to redeem with five
hundred dollars that he owed mo--a debt
of honor, sir.--but he never paid it; so
retain the ring. No, stranger. | guess
won't sell it,
But th3 ownor2 you should have
made him pay five hundred dollars is
dear price to pay for such bauble.'
Why, as to that said the player, as
he gathered up his cards for the next
hand, ho couldn't como to timo very
well, for he paid the debt of naturo' that
very night and that cancelled my oblisa.
ton All the stakes mne.-ihero is
always luck in this ring, sir, l believe
said he. as he drow thc money towards
him, Suppose we try larger stake and
no prepared 10 shuttle the cards again;
AS you like said Thorn.
well what shall it be p said his oppo-
nent, anything from one to FIVE hundredl
and he threw bank note Of that denom-
nation careless'y, as if in bravado, upon
the table.
To our surprise Thorn drew 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,
aud passing them, as the attendant brot'
them TO him, rapidly through his hand,
lie gave them to his adversary remark
ing to him as he did so, to mind his deal
this time fixing upon him a searching
glance as he went through the operation
The game was that known as bluff, or
poker | know not which, but at any
rate one on which the players be. upon
the cards they hold. Thorn and his op.
ponent having each glanced at their cards,
commenced the game.
IN go you one hundred said Thorn,
commencing
1.-Two hundred better than that said
his opponent.
Another hundred continued Thorn.
Hmm three hundred better = said
the gambler, producing the notes fro.n
his pocket book.
Three hundred more, said Thorn,
quietly.
Tho game was getting exciting to us
as spectators; three thousand dollars lay
upon the table TO be decided by the cards
held by the players, each of whom seem.
ed from their bets to be confident of sue.
cess, though their cOuntenances betrayed
not the least emotion,
'Oae hundred more said the gambler,
again.
Il call you,' said Thorn.
Az three kings and an ace ? said
the sharker, triumphantly,
THREE ACES AND A KING 7 said Thorn
quietly, as he displayed bis own cards,
aud with his ewes 6xeI staadilv un0n his