The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-01-17
The lad considered my questions. and

AS tor the first, Mr.. Rogers, I'd lik,
to visit the most noted places in the city
and the sleeping part we can get along
with readily enough. If we can't fint
beds, why it isn't the first time either O
us considered it d hardship to lie dowr
in the open air."
Two things happened just at this mo.
ment. Before Icould respond to j lack.
very philosophic discourse, the olive
complexioned youth rose from his own
and approached our table and the click
of billiard balls fell upon my ear.
l looked around, and there sure en-.
ough were tables, at which gentlemen
were amusing themselves. A strong
desire-a feverish longing in fact-came
over me to play; and had even got on
my feet before bethought inc that the
fate OF my finances would not permit
ment, although I must confess was
passionately fond of almost every game
where skill is required.
| l sat down again with sigh, and as
did so, heard Jack, evidently in answer
10 some question of the olive-complex-
ioned gentleman, say with a touch Of
anger in his voice, his face at the same
time, scarlet, and his eyes shining with
Indignation.
s'No, sir ~
And then, turning abruptly to me,
continued: reafe1
"Mr. Rogers, we had better continue
our journey; I'm tired OF this city,"
was surprisud at this remark, par
ticularly when recalled the words he
had uttered little while before about
visiting the chief places in 1t, but as to
his blushing, had become SO accustom-
ed to that, that hardly needed it.
knew If but looked hard at the lad !,
however pale his face, it would Instant
ly become red as that Of any timid, del
icate-minded young girl who found her
self stared out of countenance. st I'D
The ring of the ivory balls was still in
my ear, and could not get 1t out, The
intruder seemed to divide this, for with
unabashed adroitness he turned to me
and said: a
II have just invited your young
friend, believing him to be a stranger,
to visit the city. He declines. Think,
senior, you admire billiards. sawyouf
attention just now directed toward the
tables. Perhaps You will play, and
your friend here will look on. 1t will
make us better acquainted with each
other" 4Att
"Don't," whispered young bright to
me in English, shade of alarm in his
magnificent eyes-eyes that expressed
SO much.
1 laughed, conceiving that the lad
thought only of the possibility of vast
ing our little capital; and then turning
to the intruder said in his lingo:
'I'm poor player at best, and out of
practice. / haven't taken a cue in my
hand since 1 left Callao." =
''Oh, senor," responded the fellow,
rather anxiously, 1 thought, 'you will
not find me brilliant hand. 10 be
frank with both of you, only propose
that we may be the better acquainted
with each other" ttrunat
''Don't," repeated the lad; but did
not heed him. Ff, I4g g
Together he walked to an unengaged
table, and dpresently were at work.
1 found myself in better practice than
l had supposed would be. l
My antagonist was a good player;
but ! soon saw by no means my equal.
| reserved my strength, however, and
Coward the close of the game,) by pre-
tended '.scratchings," left him to pay
the score. sasa5 - 5silIr .-1aa ~
~''l am not in good condition to-day
he said, "and you are fortunate. We
viii play again. To make it interest
ing, let us contend for an onsa each. y
The fellow was an egotist, (possibly
Mexican galnbler,) 1 felt; but to play
for an ounce of gold, double the value
of jacks and my capital, that was haz-
ardous Should lose, what then!
Before could make up my mind, my
antagonist, not doubling ncethe accepta
of his challenge, commenced the game.
l threw prudence aside---shut my ears
to the remonstrances OF my boy friend.
and plunged into the game resolved on
winning. nH
The olive complexioned stranger be-
gan to show his strength. His play was
fine, but reckless. was his master
but, as before, reserved myself, and
only by what seemed fortunate hits to
my antagonist, came out the victor.
had won his money, and at the same
time saw that John Bright was displeas-
ed with me.
Elated, however, with my success. /
kept ON making strings.
Seven games were played at an ounce
a game, L each time winning-but only
apparently, by the merest good fortune.
With over one hundred dollars in nv
pocket, felt ricl-independent; but
still Jack frowned-lookedu uncomforta-
Bile, and more than once begged of me
to desist; and each time promised
would.
My antagonist, now either chagrined
or desperate, proposed that we should
increase our bets, and suggested our
playing for hundred dollars a piece.
Iaccepted the new challenge, remark
ing that had no right to decline as
should he win would only be called