Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-04-09

past finely dressed fop who was about
entering on the same errand-<lsat Fran
coise had just concluded, he rushed from
the house into the open street.,
Here he stood for many naeaaSats, with
his sombrcro in his hand, the cool sea-
beceze playing sportively with This long
raven curls. His eyes were thrned to-
wards Heaven, and he mutterd to him
self:
2 Cursed be the hour, cursh DO the
day, when left my native home, my
dear sister, and all, to meet buS with dis
appointment in this land Cqlel, cold
woman, ye selfish beings who snot ~
aqght else but lneryl NO I'M
soELarsh. Twill tryyfo van -. Flelp
me, kind, plying Heaven, in I, task p
Then mufiiing his cloak around him,
he pursued his way towards the most
busy portion of the city. San Francis
CO at night What volumes of tales
could be written of blighted hopes, and
damning crimes nightly committed at
that hour. Then before FRANCHISE open
ed the door of dancing house, from
which came the sound of music and revel-
ry. Again some sprightly courtezan
would pass him by, with an invitation to
accompany her. Then the glare of some
bar-room and the cloud laugh which
spoke the vacant mind" would almost
allure him to taste the forbidden cup and
drown his troubles in Intoxicating IL
quors, but he passed them all.
At length the red light and the green
baize door with the silver plate, on which
was inscribed :" Club met his view
He stopped and mused lie was at the
door Of one of the largest gambling bells
in the country.
During his residence in San Francisco
he had never yet entered one of these
saloons, but he had heard of .princely
fortunes being made at one sitting
Alas he had not heard Of the many,
many ruined wretches who had entered
there, with high hopes, and in few
hours left, broken hearted, poverty STRIFE
ken and desperate lie paused at the
door of the club, and wondered in his
mind whether he would not have the
luck to gain fortune, and then claim
the hand Of Alice. lie had many scru-
pies about making money in this man.
ner, but he knew that if he was veal
thy, few would inquire as to how he
became possessed of it. He knew that
money makes the man. no matter what
his other attainments may he. oad with
these thoughts IN his nli~a pened
rs - sen re doiT al 81
stairs, Here he opened second door,
which led into a long hall, al the upper
end Of which was stationed man, who,
after inquiring his name and residence,
allowed bin to enter tho parlor
In the centro Of this room was table
loaded with all the delcacies of the sea-
son, around which were seated many Of
the wealthiest citizens of the town Ne
gro walters were running here and there,
answering the many calls of the guests.
On sidc-board, in one corner of the
room, were all the various costly wines
that could be procured. Champagne
flowed in abundance, and there was no
lack of material to render the mind de-
lirious.
As FRANCHISE stood gazing upon the
scene before him, one of the walters Of
fered him chair at the table, which he
accepted, knowing that it would cost him
nothing, as these suppcrs are free to the
frequenters Of these saloons. lie drank
deep and was soon so excited that he felt
ready to enter into any adventure. In
this state of mind he wandered into the
Faro room, where about ten persons
were betting heavily.
After having watched attcntivcly the
playing for some time, in order to learn
the game, he took hundred dollars from
his pocket, all he had in the world, and
stakcd it on the rcs-dcc. The dealer
struck his hand on the table, as signal
that the bets were closed. Franchises
eye tremblingly followed the dealers
hand as it showed the cards from the box.
The Tres won. FRANCHISE coppered the
amount on the table, and won again.
The four hundred dollars still lay on
the tres ace, but without the copper, and
soon it was made eight hundred dollars.
Still he allowed it to remain There was
no limit TO the betting MofmtHt6y in
the room was fixed o.. u.s. IS man
who would remain doubling aHrn.g~ry
deal. When the game closed y 'ey;e
morning, FRANCHISE left the houso : ssii
a draft for eleven thousand dollars in his
pocket.
Elated by bis good fortune, as may be
supposed, he had but little heart for the
labors Of the day. One more stroke of
this kind, thought he, and Alice would
be his Alas when will we rest content
with that which we have? Ever stri-
wing, ever grasping, man is doomed to
disappointment.
Franchises employer noticed his sim
gular behayor-his ledger blotted and
accounts badly made up. Thinking that
it was on account Of his being rejected
by Alice, for she had informed him of
her refusal TO marry FRANCHISE, he en-
deavored to cheer him up.
Take no note of her tickle actions,
my boy" said he; there's many fish
uncaught as yet. And if you hang along
and raise twenty-five thousand dollars,
I'll take you into partnership, and then
she'll beg Of you to take her."
III have it soon, sir" said Fran
coisc.
That's right, my boy; persevorc,