The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-14

BY ST. CLAIR JOHNS.

Olo RESIDENTS OF new orleans OF course remem.
Der the Exchange" Of the st. Louis Hotel Is it
fourished twenty years ago. Here were accus-
toned to congregate the choice spirits of that day,
the cafe forming o convenient rendezvous for the
younger bloods, and sort of club for the more
stad but convivial elders. Here were wont to meet
the gay youths preparatory to sallying forth in
quest Of pleasure or adventure. In this old cafe,
over cup of aromatic mocha, or while essaying
the cooling, SOLDERING eau sucre were arranged
the preliminaries of many an dfdre dhonnelu-,
while bright Moselle or ffuity Chambertin's genial
glow melted the frosts of age. In q word, il was
the stronghold of rancien regime and the favorte
resort Of la jeunesse doree, circumscribed by no
rules, yet exclusive and select.
Here, as a natural consequence, fourished chess;
for where is the cotere, intelligent and refined,
that pays not allegiance at Caissa's shrine, here,
over the checkered board, Judge NJ. and Mr.. r.
were wont to engage in a contest OF wits, while
games between players Of inferior force were of
daily occurrence.
Among the hsbitues of this now historic salon
was one who appeared to be drawn thither solely
by the attractions offered by the chess tables; for
it was observed that, though he never played him.
self, he was q constant and patient on-looker at
the daily bouts. he was Of calm, digni6ed de-
meanor, reserved yet courteous, seemingly about
forty years of age; his erect, bearing and measur-
ed stride inducing the assumption that he had
once been soldier. His features were regular,
not to say handsome, but their natural frank ex-
preston seemed overloaded by the memory of
some past affection. When solicited to join in q
game, he always declined, and it was observed
that he invariably withdrew as soon as prsct.
cable sfter.the receipt of any invitation. As this
trait of his became known the frequenters .of the
cafe soonceased to trouble him by ovsrtures look
ing to trial of SKILL delicacy restraining curiosity
IT'S true 1tn bel esprit limited that he did not
know how to play, and cited the case Of that ndi.
vidual who was wont to spend his days in the
Cafe de la Regence, apparently absorbed in the
games going on, but who, when one day invited to
play, declined, as he was entirely ignorant Of the
game, and knew not even the moves; and when
surprise was manifested that he who took such
evident interest in chess play should yet be gno.
rant of the rudiments, explained his penchant for
this quiet occupation BY informing them that he
was married. The supposition implied by this
comparison was in this case incorrect. The I'm.
known certainly knew how to play. His discrimi.
nation when several simultaneous games were in
progress, bis honoring with his attention only the
one that twas most brilliant and dashing, showed
some knowledge, at least, Of the game.
Somehow Ifeltmyselfnterested in this stranger,
Like him, l was connoisseur rather than a prsc-
titioner Of the game Of games. II may have been,
then, something of that "fellow. feeling that
makes us wondrous kind that attracted me to
him and made me resolve to know more of him,
But days rolled on into weeks and had advanced
nothing in my acquaintanceship. In fact / could
not without absolutely obtruding myself. How.
ever / did succeed in asceftaining his place OF
abode. Business called me away, and for some
time lost sight of my chess problem, as / had
mentally styled pinconna. When l resumed my
visits to the Exchange l noticed he was absent.
On inquiry learned that he he'd not been seen for
three days. Immediately resolved to visit him.
Perhaps he was Ill. So. repairing to his room,
which was not far distant. / ascertained that as
had feared, he was sick abed. On being admit
ted observed that the room was scantily fur
nished, but with everything arranged in neat and
orderly manner. Excusng myself for calling.
under the plea Of the well known free masonry''
of chess, expressed my solicitude on account OF
his illness and profered my services. He thanked
me cordially for the one, but firmly declined the
other. Wishing him speedy recovery, / turned
to leave. just az l reached the door, probably
being prompted by some after thought, in faint
voice he called me to him. sprang to his bed.
side, but it was only to find him struggling with
death. His lips moved, but gave no sound. He
had only time to motion toward a small camp desk
that stood on table near by, when he expired
was now In somewhat of q qusndary. Urged |
by idle curiosity, had made this VISIT and what
ever benevolent purposes might have been |
developed, had the deceased lived long enough to
express his wishes, were now rendered nugatory. |
missing on my strange position, l resolved to open |
the desk. Perchance its contents might reveal
what the unfortunate had vainly essayed to dis
close. II was locked so / forced the lid. Inside
were packages of letters, sundry papers and |
books, and chessboard and men of oriental |
workmanship. Carefully folded up among the |
chessmen was manuscript, of which the follow.
ng is translation:
My name Is Rene Lenoir. l was travelling in
Persia during the time of the war between that
power and Great Britain. / reckoned on nv ma
tionslity to protect me from any moleststion. In
this l was deceived. One day, having strayed
some distance from my party, was seized by
band Of the horse guards of one OF the more
powerful sheikhs. presume he was ignorant of
he difference between a FreDchman and an
Englishman. or perhaps he thus wsntonly took
he opportunity to secure a slave. Possibly he |
may have COMPOUNDED me with one Of the British
cavalry officers whom had been told resem.
oled. At any rate was in his power, and Ger.
ainly from no friendly design on his part. As 1
vas brought into his presence, he was engaged in |
game Of chess with female Of graceful per.
ION, but whose features, on account Of the Gus
omary vail / could not discover. The sheikh
addressed me, but as | did not understand the
Persian language / did not reply. Bending a
lerce, vindictive glance at me, he gave some
rider to my attendants which interpreted from
heir movements to be my immediate death. Re.
:erating the order in peremptory tone, he
urned TO finish his game. As was being led out
lucky thought struck me. Motionng to my
yards to allow me to address their ruler, |
Idvsnced, and by signs intimated that 1, too |
,ould play chess. l had not calculated wrongly.
ake al Pfayers, the PERSIAN was DESTROYS /
ountering new antagonists. and no doubt be felt
special desire to engage with one who came
rom o foreign land Ordering my hands to be |
inbound, he motioned me to q seat opposite him,
be young female yielding me her place. Chance
ave him the move. He opened with the Aleppo |
ambit, and as the game proceeded soon saw
hat was stronger player than my captor. /
cared, however, to play my stresgth; for to win |
be game might be to lose my slender chance of |
espite. So, after struggle which purposely |