The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-11-27

: these good intentions of practical games
ter fell upon his ear--but he replied. 'ver,
good, quite right, my dear boy. But com
let me introduce you to Mr.. Merton, a high
ly connected parsonage, assure you. B,
: the way, Waters he added, in carcssin,
confidential tone, my name, for family ant
otEer reasons, which will hereafter explai,
TO yan, is for the present Sanford
J Sanford 7 .
Yes do not forget. But allons, or tn,
ballet will be over
i l was introduced in due form to Mr.. Mer
ton as an old and esteemed friend whom h,
(Sanford) had not seen for many MONTHS
AT the conclusion of the ballet, Sanford pro
posed that we should adjourn to the Euro
pean Coffee House, nearly opposite, and ou
we sailed At the top Of the staircase VIZ
i jostled against the commissioner, who like
us, was leaving tha house. He bowed slight
ly to Mr.. Merton's apology, and his eye
wandered coldly and briefly over our per.
sons not the slightest sign of recognition
escaped him. l thought it possible he did
not know me in my changed apparel-but
looking back after descending few steps |
was quickly undeceived. A sharp quick
glance, expressive both of encouragement
and surprise, shot out from under his pent
house brows, and as swiftly vanished. He
did not know how little needed spurring
t. gain the goal we had in view. We dis.
cussed two or three bottles of wine with
much gaiety and relish. Sanford especially
was in exuberant spirits-brimming over
with brilliant anecdotes and sparkling bad-
mage He saw in me a fresh rich prey, and
his eager spirit revelled by antici Iation in
the victory which he doubted nothing to OBJ
tain over my excellent intentions and Wife
pledged virtue About half past 12 he pro-
posed to adjourn. This was eagerly assent
ed to by Mr. Merton, who had for sometime
exhibited unmistakable symptoms of impa-
tience and unrest
you will accompany us, Waters p said
Sanford, as we rose to depart. There is,
| suppose, no vow registered in the matri.
monial archives against looking on at game
played by others p
oh, no but do not ask me to play
Certainly not ; and devlish sneer curled
his lip. your virtue shall suffer no tempt-
alton be assured;
We soon arrived before the door of a quiet
respectable looking house, in one of the
streets leading to the strand a low pecu-
liar knock, given by Sanford, was promptly
answered then password, which did
not catch, was whispered by him through the
keyhole as we passed in. We proceeded up
stairs to the first floor, the shutters of which
were carefully closed, so that no intimation
of what was going on could possibly reach
the street. The apartment was brilliantly
lighted, roulette table and dice and cards
were in full activity wines and liquors of
all varieties were profasely paraded. There
was about half-a-dozed present, ! soon dis
covered, besides the gang, and that COM
prised eleven or twelve well dressed despera-
does, whose sinister aspects induced mo-
mentary qualm, lest one or more of the
pleasant party might suspect or recognize
my vocation. This, however, reflected
was scarcely possible. My beat, during the
short period have been in the force was
far distant from the usual haunts of such
gentry. and was otherwise unknown in Lon.
don. Still, questioning glances were eagerly
directed towards my intradueer and one
big burly fellow, foreigner--the rascals
were the scum of various countries-was
unpleasantly linguistic, ial-'Jen responder
! heard Sanford say in answer to his iterated
queries and he added something in whis-
pei. which brought sardonic smile to the
fellows lips, and induced total change in
his demeanor towards myself. This was re-
assuring; for though provided with pistols,
! should, felt, have little chance with such
utterly desperate rpffians as those by whom
| was surrounded. Play was proposed
and though at first stoutly refused, I feign-
ed to be overcome by irresistible temptation
and sat down to blind hazard with my for.
eign friend for. moderate stakes. Twas gra-
ciously allowed to win, and in the end found
myself richer in money by about ten pounds.
Mr.. Merton was soon absorbed in the chances
Of dice, and lost large sums, for which, when
the money he brought with him was ex-
4 = 4