The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-11-08

, would ever handle cards or dice. He should
have heard the mocking merriment with
which the gang heard Sanford repeat this re-
solution to amend his ways-when he had re-
covered back his wealth!
The day so eagerly longed for by Merton
and the confederates-by the spoilers and
their prey-arrived,a land awaited with fever
ish anxiety the coming on of night. Only
the chief conspirators, eight in number, were
to be present, and no stranger but myself-a
privilege owed to the moonshine legacy l
had just received-was to be admitted to the
crowning triumph of successful fraud One
only hint had ventured to give Mr. Merton,
and that under promise, 'on his honor as a
gentleman of inviolable secresy. This was
it; BE sure, before commencing play to-mor-
row night, that the bonds and obligations
you have signed, the jewels you have lost,
with sum in notes or gold to make up an
equal amount to that which you make the
risk, is actually deposited on the table lie
promised to insist on this condition. Ii
involved great deal more than he then
dreamt Of
My arrangements were at length thorough
ly complete; and few minutes past twelve
o'clock the whispered password admitted me
into the house. An angry alteration was
going on. Mr. Merton was insisting, as
had advised, upon the exhibition of sum e.
quail to that which he had brought with him
for, confident of winning, he was determn-
ed to recover his losses to the last far,hing
and although his bonds, bills, obligations.
his sisters jewels, and large amount in gold
and genuine notes, were produced, there was
still heavy sum deficient. 'Ah, by the by
exclaimed Sanford, as entered. Waters can
lend YOU the sum for an hour or two-for a
consideration, he added in whisper. 1T
will soon be returned.'
No, thank YOU, | answered coldly. 4
never part with money until have lost
it,
\ malignant scowl passed over the scoun-
drel's features, but he made no reply. Ulti
mately it was decided that one of the frater-
dity should be despatched in search of the
required sum. He was gone about half an
hour and returned with bundle of notes
They were, as hoped and expected, forger
les on foreign banks Mr. Merton looked at
and counted them, and the play commenced
As it went on. 50 wildly did the scene recall!
the evening that had seaed my own ruin.
that grew dizzy with excitement. and drain
ed tumher after tumbler cf water to aiav
the tevercd throbbins Of my veins. The
gamblers were certainly too much absorbed
too heed my agitation. Merton lost cont;n-
uousy-without pause or ntermission. The
stakes were Goubled-tre -quadrupled
lis brain was on fire; and he played, Or ra-
ther lost, with the reckles>ness of mad
man.
Hark. what's that suddenly exclaimed
Sanford. from whose Satanic features the
mask he had so long worn before Merton
had been gradually slipping. Did you hear
noise below
My ear had caught the sound; and
could interpret it better than he could 1t
c-ased
Touch the signal bell, Adolphe,' added
Sanford.
Not only the play, bat the very breathing
OF the villains, was suspended as they listen
ed for the reply. 1t came. The answering
tinkle sounded once-tw.ce-thrce. All
right" shouted Sanford. Proceed. The
farce is nearly played out
had instructed the officers that two Of
them in plain clothes should present them
selves a, the front door, obtain admission by
means of the password had given them, and
Immediately seize and gag the doorkeeper.-
had also acquainted them with the proper
answer to the signal bell-three pulls at the
bell-handle communicating with the first
floor. Their comrades were then to be ad-
mitted. ard they were all silently to ascend
the stairs, and wait on the landing till sum-
moned by me to enter and seize the game
sterS. The back entrance TO the house was
also securely but unobtrusively Watched
One only fear disturbed me- 1t vas lest he
scoundrels should take alarm in sufficient
time to extinguish the light, destroy the for
ged papers, and possibly escape by some pri-
vate passage which might unknown to ME
exist.
Rousing myself, as soon as the play was
resumed, from the trance of memory by which
| had been in some sort absorbed, and first
ascertaining that my pistols were within easy
reach, for knew l was playing desperate
game, rose, stepped careessly to the door,
partially opened it, and bent forward, as if
listening to repetition of the sound which
had so alarmed the company. To my great
delight the landing and stairs were filled with
police officers, silent and stern as death. |
drew back and walked towards the table at
which Mr. Merton was seated. The last
J stake, an enormous one, was being played
: for. Merton lost. He sprang upon his feet,
: death-pale, despairing, overwhelmed, and a
, hoarse execration surged from his clenched
) teeth. Sanford and his associates coolly ra-