Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-12-05

eve will return IN an instant"
"Well, what is all this, Waters?'
said Carbon, recovering his wonted sang
froid the instant we were alone. 81
understood you had retired from among
us; were in fact-what shall ] say?"
"Ruined-done upl Nobody should
know that better than you"
"My good fellow you do not imag'
inc"
81 imagine nothing. my dear Car.
don. I was very thoroughly done
done brown, as is written in the vulgar
tongue. But fortunately my kind old
uncle
"Passgrove is dead!" interrupted my
old acquaintance, eagerly jumping to .
conclusion "snd you are bis heir. j
congratulate you, my dear fellow
This indeed is a charming reverse oi
circumstances"
"Yes; but mind, 1 have given up
the old game. No more dice-develtry
for me. l have promised Emily never
to touch card again"
The Geld eye Of the incarnate fend
-he was little else-gleamed mock
iDgly as these "good intentions" of q
practical gamester fell upon his ear
but he replied, every good. quite
right, my dear boy. But come, let me
introduce you to Mr.. Merton. a high
ly connected parsonage, 1 assure you.
By the way, Waters" he added, in a
caressing and very confidential tone,
"my name, for family and other rea-
sons, which l will hereafter explain TO
you, is for the present Sanford"
"Sanfordr"
Eyes; do not forget. But allons, or
the ballet will be over"
was introduced as an old and es-
teemed friend whom he (Sanford) }
had not seen for many months. At
the conclusion of the ballet, Sanford
proposed that we should adjourn to the
European Coffee House, nearly oppo-
site, and out we sailed. AT the top Of
the staircase we jostled against the
Commissioner who. like US, was lea
wing the house. He bowed slightly
to Mr.. Merton's apology, and his eye
wandered coldly and briefly over our
persons; not the slightest sign or re-
cognition escaped him. 1 thought it
possible he did not know me in my
changed apparel--but looking back,
after descending a few steps, was
quickly undeceived. A sharp quick
glance, expressive both Of encourage
ment and surprise, shot out from under
his penthouse brows, and as swiftly
vanished. He did not know how little
l needed spurring to gain the goal he
had in view.
We discussed two or three bottles Of
wine with gayety and relish, Sanford,
especially, was in exuberant spirits
brimming over with brilliant anecdotes
and sparkling bsdinage.
He saw IN me fresh rich prey. and
his eager spirit reveled, by anticipa-
tion, in the victory which he doubted
not 10 obtain over my 'excellant inten-
tions and wife-pledged virtue :
About half past 19 he proposed TO
adjourn, eagerly assented to by Mr..
Merton, who had for some time exhibi-
ted unmistakable symptoms Of impa-
tience and unrest.
"You will accompany us Waters"
said Sanford, as we rose to depart
"There is, 1 suppose, no VOW register
ed in the matrimonial archives against
looking on a game played by others?"
"Oh mol but do not ask me to
"Certainly not;" and a devilish
sneer curled his lip. "Your virtue
shall suffer no temptation, be assur-
ed"
We soon arrived before the door Of
a quiet, respectable looking house, in
one Of the streets leading to the Strand;
a low peculiar knock, given by Sanford,
was promptly answered; then pass
word, which did not catch, was whis-
pered by him through the keyhole, as
we passed in.
We proceeded up stairs to the first
floor, the shutters of which were care
fully closed, so 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 wsre paraded.-
There were about half-a- dozen persons
present, l soon discovered, beside the
gang, and that comprised eleven or
twelve well dressed desperadoes, whose
sinister aspects induced momen-
tary qualm lest one or more Of the
pleasant party might suspect or recog-
nize my vocation. This, however, l
reflected, was scarcely possible. Ny
beat, during the short period had
been in the force. was far distant from
the usual haunts of such gentry, and
was otherwise unknown in London.
Still, questioning glances were eagerly
directed toward my introducer and one
big burly fellow, foreigner - the
rascals were the scum Of various coun-
tries-was unpIessantly inqulsstorial.
J'en responded heard Sanford
say, in answer to his iterated queries:
and he added something in whisper
which brought sardonic smile to the
fellows lips, inducing q total change
in his demeanor toward myself. This
was reassuring: for though provided
with pistols, 1 should. felt, have little
chance with such utterly reckless ruff
u L. L -.o n.