The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-08-08

Sir |" he at last said, measuring
Frank with his eye from head to foot,
with the coolest effrontery, " it is pos
sible you don't know who I am; that
to me indeed is perfectly clear. And
as for these gentlemen here" he added,
with an inpatient wave of his hand
towards the spectators, II have every
reason to suppose that, knowing them,
you would not have taken upon your
self to give me the lie in their presence.
Pray, sir, what may be your name !?
"InsoIent fellow |" cried Frank, in
concentrated rage.
Very well, if that name pleases
you" said the banker, with impertura-
BILE calmness. " / have the choice Of
weapons, sir Perhaps it is as well
you should know ] never missed my
man,
You try hard to brighten some
body, don't yon ~ said Frank, impa-
tiently.
"Il-not in the least" replied the
banker, with Indifference, and the same
cold sneer and smile of Implicitly.
q But / cannot find it in nv conscience
to assassinate you"
And so saying he drew long rife
from his pocket, and laid it on the ta-
BILE before him.
A death like silence pervaded the
room
There, sir" he continued, " this
is the best thing / have to propose
indeed, it is all / can possibly do to
accommodate you. Bring the dice, /"
he continued in the same tome of
voice, turning half around in his chair,
"and shut the door
The play room was closed, and the
dice placed on the table. The music
of the orchestra and the hum of voices
only reached the room in a suppressed
and distant murmur.
Now then, said the banker, here
we have the dice and pistol The
.
highest throw kills the other p
The young sailor approached the
table, seized the dice box in mere des-
peration, shook it with conyulsive
energy, cast one furtiye glance tow
ards the ballroom, and threw.
AS if bowed by an electric shock,
every head was bent upon the cloth
The action Of this terrific drama had
passed so rapidly--the end was so
near at hand-that one could not be-
lieve in the reality of this atrocious
scene, enacting without noise or inter-
ruption, and hundreds of people with
in call.
The banker in loud voice reckon
ed up the points.
I" Six and six are twelve, and one
makes thirteen--a good threw, a very
good throw-upon my word, young
gentleman, very good throw |"
He took the dice and replaced them
4 in the box with an air of the coolest
indifference, and addressing the spec
tators
/ Thirteen" he exclaimed, "a very
good point, but it is always an unluc-
ky number Come, gentlemen, who
bets a couple of hundred on the life
of that young gentleman yonder r.
he continued, fixing his eye with 9
malignant and deadly glare upon the
young man, who quailed beneath it.
The players turned pale and remained
| silent.
(" Well, them" said he, as there
seems to be none to bet, here's for my
selfin and the dice rolled on the table
Fifteen ! You've lost, sir! It's
a pity too, with so good point.
The affair was well contested, at al
! events. So then, sir, your life be.
longs to me. Are you ready ~
All present drew back in terror
The banker still stretched ont in hi,
chair, was quietly engaged in adjusting
the lock and carefully examining the
printing Of his pistol
I" / am ready" replied the young
man, standing motionless before him
"A little more room, if you please
gentlemen said the banker at ths
same time bowing to the spectators
and motioning with hrs arm for then
. to stand on one side.
/" Fire y said Frank uncoverine
his breast, his conntanance beamine