The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-06-15

now that II was too late, and MS money
arly all gone. He saw his mnster IN Inc
wily Austrian. and was convinced mat II
he PLAYED again, it would be but to increase
his losses He Was at his wits end when
he met me. was the only man who could
helm him. Would l take his place that
nioht--engage the Austrian, and win back
tho money!
I protested my readiness to do what
could. but I doubted whether his antago-
mist would be willing TO play with stran-
ger for such sums as B had lost.
There is no fear Of that said B;
we can lead him into it easy enough
Will you Gomez
could not refuse, and therefore dispatch
ed note 10 Crannel, informing him that
had met an old friend. and should not be
home till late. Early in the evening B
drove me acroes the water to an old estao-
lishment near the Palais du Luxembourg,
where ws4were admitted to private room,
and commenced playing together. AT the
hour appointed, the Austrian came IN and
took bis seat. He was young fellow about
my own age, and not likely soon to pene-
trate the articles in which | was now such
an adept. Having lost couple OF games to
B, handed him a note in payment,
and declined playing again, on the ground
that he was too strong for me; adding, that
would try game with the stranger, if
agreeable. The Austrian rose and express
ed his Willingness, if B would defer their
engagement for while. This YVES, of.
course, arranged, and We began to play
We began at eight in the evening, and left
OF about dawn. We began playing the
siliest game imaginable on both sides, aud
left off like finished masters of the science,
skilled in all the difficult rcfnements of
which it is susceptible. knew, before /
had played an honr, the whole strength OF
my adversary, while be remained Ignorant
of mine almost to the close Of the match
1t was not until my friend had won back all
his money, thatI began TO throw off my
disguise. / then piqued my adversary by
criticising his play, and so soured his
temper, that he played worse. When all
was over, he was cleaned out to the last
franc and B and had a thousand
franco each OF clear gain. We parted in the
glimmsr of the morning, B giving him
bis card, and offering him his revenge
whenever he chose to claim it.
When / reached home, l found Crannel
there awaiting me. saw that he was in a
savage mood; and to irritate him still fur
Their, | made boast of what | had been
about. His modification was evidently ex-
treme; but he only bit his lips, and said lit
tie. As he doubtless foresaw, my exploit
got wind, and the result was, that ere long
my assumed disguise peeled off Of itself,
aud was known, in the gaming circles at
least, for what l was. Crannel, of course,
had to alter his policy, aud content himself
with the new state Of things. Still, as his
fat determined every game played, his
gains were very considerable. For my part,
liked my new position far better; aud for
the first time, really enjoyed the excitements
Of a gamblers life. | was now backed
against the first players in Paris; and when
the signal was to win, did so in such bril-
liant style, that my renown soon spread
abroad, and l became the wonder Of the
gambling circles.
About the middle of August, there arose
a rumor Of a new star in the billiard world.
This sss young liussian, who Was said
Petersburg, and to have beaten every oppo-
nsnt who had ventured to meet him. As
usual, the most exaggerated reports were
circulated regarding him; and he must have
been magician, working by entertainments,
il half that was said were true. 1t was in
evitable that should be pitted against him.
Every body talked of this contamination,
and WAS eager to bring it about. Crannel
did not start any objection; and my admi-
rers making up a considerable purse, the
affair was decided on. The match was to
come off in the Palais Royal by daylight,
on the Sunday. | had never seen my op-
ponent up to the hour of our meeting and
when with Crannel, who had betted liber-
ally on my side, repaired to the spot, what
was my establishment in recognizing in
the renowned Russian my once shirtless an
tagonist, Pat Naagher, whom, as lad, |
defeated at Bath. 1t is true he looked the
Russian we'll in pair of dark whiskers, and
. Cossack mous1ache; and he talked Russ
most glibby with friend who accompanied
him. Still, there was the unmistakable Irish
face, and the undeniably brogue favored
his Slavonic speech. I was glad to see that
he did not recognise me; but was deter
mined to seek him out and have a private
conference, if possible. In stripping for the
match, after we had shaken hands, he drop
ped card from his vest pocket; in mo-
ment, bad eecreted it unobserved, and the
contest began.
But for my previous knowledge of Aeagher's
play, and the points in whick his strength
lay, / mightprobably have been beaten, and
that summarily. As twas, the contest was
succession Of wary sparrings, in which
nothing brilliant was either done or at
tempted Had drawn match been posi-
BILE in billiards, this would have been
drawn. 1t ended in my winning, through
the failure Of an almost impossible stroke
which, at the last crisis, my adversary was
compelled to attempt, and which left the
game in my hands.
was immensely pleased with this victo-
ry, on more accounts than one. | had not
only gained reputation, but had convinced
myself that the quasi Russian was incapa-
BILE, in the long-run, OF holding his own
against me. had drawn him out, and ia
ken bis measure, and felt myself bis mas
ter. Crannel, who never missed anything,
had seen as much, and would doubtless
make good capital OF his discernment; while,
on the other hand, the partisaus of the Rus
sian were confident in his superior play,
which, they swore, an accident only had
defeated.
The morning after the match, rose early,
and drove in faere to the address on Aea-
gher's card, which bore the inscription,
Ivan Nearowitz, Hotel de IA Paix, Rue
Richelieu.' It was one of those grim old
hotels where you knock, and are let in by
an invisible porter. A voice directed me to |
tho second door saw guatrieme; and on sound |
ing il with my knuckles, Pat, who was in |
bed. bawled ont 'Entrez, and walked in. |
He Was fiustered at seeing me, and began
suffering apologies in three languages at
once.
is it possible, l said, that you did not
know me yesterday, Pat?'
'Bedad, said he, it must be possible, |
reckon, for don't know you now for any.