St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-01-31

should be against you, if I must lose every
thing, and yet remain slave, I will bless
you at least for having tried to break my
chains"
Il accept the task," said Sir Rally,
grave]y.
"This night? ?"
"No, this night circumstances will not
serve. They will play lansquent. Besides
1 have an engagement with OBearn.-
But the day after, I think favorable oc-
casion will offer naturally, between Gou-
loubskof and myself. He will not recoil,
1 judge, by the temerity he showed yest-
erday. I will profit by it,"
"Thanks, Sir James," said Swerkoff; {;
"and now we must separate. Your friends
will seek you. would avoid meeting
them"
Four days after this conference, a dense
crowd was collected in one of the gaming
halls, around small table under the rotun-
da, at which were seated two players. They
were Sir James Rally and Prince Gou-
loubskoff: For two days these two had
been contending tor victory-now at faro,
now at ecartc; and the losses Of Rally
amounted to 100000 roubles. The game
at present was ccarte, and had been four
against four; but the betters, becoming
alarmed, thought it prudent to resume their
stakes; they were renewed by the Prince
and Rally, and the stake now amounted
to the round sum of $4,000 forms.
The cards were shufaed and distributed,
the trump card was hearts; they we're to
be renewed twice.
Fire sparkled in the eyes Of the Prince,
but those Of Rally were inpenetrablc. 1t
was not man, but statue; the express
ion never changed.
"Hearts!" said the Prince.
81 have it."
"Hearts !' he replied.
"Herc it is.
"Hearts again y
"IIerev'
"Hearts ~
Rally leaned back in his chair, looking
with Indifference on the table and the heap
of gold, to which the hands of the Prince
were eagerly extended.
The JOY of Gouloubskoff amounted to in
toxication; you will not quit playing, I
hope, Sir James," he said can English
man never abandons the field of BATTLE"
'Never; Prince! nor Russian, either.
Is it not so ?"
<'It is a national prejudice with us; but
perhaps you would like to change the
game. Will faro for two suit your
"Faro let it be-"
The two adversaries entered the list
again. The Prince held the band, and
gained 10000 roubles. His good fortune
seemed fatality itself: Yet the perfect
calmncss Of the Englishman was not less
astonishing. He pursued his object with
the impassibillity Of his compatriots be-
fore the French battallions at Waterloo
when Wellington, seeing his soldiers fall
one after another, took his watch and said
'.They die at so many minute; have
yeta number Of men; Blucher will have
time to arrive; the victory is mine !"
Rally dealt in bis turn. This time
fortune passed over at his side. He
had just gathered up $4,000 rcubles
when he announced that he had triplec
his stake.
The Prince was too good player to re
coil Rally still gained. Gouloubsk Of
still played On, till he bad exhausted all thu
gold and notes at his disposal. He the1
proposed to play on credit, chalkiug tn
stake upon the table. Rally accepted
and gained three times in succession.
"By St. George" he cried, II hav'
gained 100000 roubles.''
II congratulate you," said the Prince
with a nervous contraction Of the counte
nance. He began to suffer.
"You will not quit playing, [ hope
Prince. A Russian never abandons tn
field of battlc.'
"Nevcr, Sir Sames, as I told you. But
shall we not change the game. The air i
sitting here. Let us go into the garden
you have reputation as marksnan; sup
pose we try shot"
Rally, who Saw the feverish agitation o
his passion. readily accepted. Besides
custom required that he should be at tn
disposal Of his adversary.
In moment the hall was empty.
"What shall be the stake, Sir James p
"1'wo hundred thousand roubles."
"Agrecd; but have no more gold, ant
l must exhaust my credit at the bank 0
Vienna, which is quite indispensable t.
me-"
"Then I will wager 100000 rouble
against one Of your estate" ~:
"Do you wish to become Muscovit
proprietor .,.s..l.
'.1s, it mere whim, like any other"
MAnd one which 7 am not disnosei I