The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-25
"Only back to the table for little WHILE"

1 "
replied; 81 think you might stay little while
| for mine"
II can't stand it," said Rivers; "and I an
cleaned out"
''What ?" exclaimed. "You have not los
any Of your own money H
Every franc" he said, bitterly: land so will
yoI. if you go near that cursed table"
heSitated for few moments, but the temp
| iation was too strong; and, probably seeing
that hesitation, waiter approached and OF
| tered me some wine. / could keep back nc
longer; the low talking at the table seemed
like whispers calling me to go and sweep up a
glittcring pile of money. Aammon himself
tain that | saw failings in my companions
method play, walked up to the table, threw
down flve-tranc piece and saw it raked
away.
| threw another upon the cloth, and that
also was swept away.
In sort of intoyicaton, brought on by the
excitement, staked two pieces this time, and
| they also disappeared. Half napoleon shared
their fate; then a napoleon: when Rivers
caught me by the arm, it being his turn now
to play the part Of mentor and to whisper to
come away.
''Monsicur can play for himself, sir. Why
do you interfere ?" said a swarthy individual
with short, black beard and very close cut
hair.
no worse than you have DONE"
Rivers shrugged his shoulders and turned
away 10 take another glass Of champagne from
the waiter, when the ferce-l0Oking French
man whispered to me. PLAY high, monsieur;
you are likely TO have la bonheur. The tickle
goddess likes not humble offerings"
Turning mpaticntly from my wOuld-be coun-
scllo whom set down as belonging to the
proprietary, again threw down a napoleon,
and lost. -another-another. In
i've minutes had come down to my last
coin, and stood for Il few moments thought
till and ponder.ng. Should | let that go with
the others or not? Why should l refrain?
asked myself bitterly; my folly could be no
greater; and, almost p,asslonately, threw it
the table. and hurry from the house.
"Won, by Jovc !" voice whispered at my
ear: and was once more in funds to carry on
the warfare. or to leave, whichever | liked.
was about TO pursue the latter course, when
a half-c0ntemptuous glance from the French
mans eye turned me back, and staked again
and again; doubled my stake, and won again;
again doubled and won; so that, in the course
OF few minutes, had piled up goodlJ heap
of five franc pieces before me.
"Give this gentleman some wine," the
Frenchman said In low tone to waiter,
and glass was handed to nae, but, inpatient
ly motionng the man aside, | plunged, as 1t
were, into the overpowering excitement OF the
play winning constantly, and with feeling as
OF some wild fever thrilling through my veins.
Twice over | believe that Rivers eagerly
begged of me TO leave, but l refused, and
played on, although at the time there was q
strange desire upon ME to leave Off and to
carry away my ill-gotten gains. Every stake
/ laid down was successful, and in short time
found that the greater part of the occupants
of the room were now watching my success
with as much eagerncss as they had previously
gaZed upon my companion.
Once stopped as If 10 take BREATH and in
the brief moments which ensued seemed 10
look upon the probable rcsult-the glittering
heap gradually melting away, and taking with
it my last shilling; and yet could not restrain
myself, but played on again, still winning,
with an insensatc thirst for more of the wild
excitement ever growing upon ME.
Still won; till, trembling for my gains, l
began TO thrust the coins into different pock-
cts. lessening the heap as much as | could,
before stalking the largest sum that had yet
been upon the table that evening.
placed it upon the red, and it seemed rs if
the result would never be known. In effect,
there was quite pause, and then came the
announcement, "Rouge gdgne - in calm, i'm
prcssivc tones; and again | swept up the
money. before Il score Of covctOus lookers-on.
But this once - muttered to myself pre-
paring TO stake the whole of my last gains !;
when, in n quiet manner, as If there was no.
thing at all in the announcement, the propri-
etor informed the company that the play was
at an end for that evening.
monsieur has broken the bank" said soft
yoics-at my ear, and, turning, there stood the
swarthy Frcnchman.
started from this man as if had been
stung; and, hastily gathering up my treasure
SO much that my pockets could hardly hold 1t
turned my attention towards leaving the
place, already half emptied OF Its occupants
But nv eyes first sought for Rivers, who, to my
great surprise, saw lolng back upon a tan
teul, evidently half uslccp.
Monsieur, your friend Is tired" said the
Frcnchman, who seemed determined to force
upon me his society. 1.-THE sale has been hot,
and disappointment wearicd his brain. Msn-
seur would do well TO rest too"
" In my country, SIR said, turning upon
him sharply, AMI not, am afraid, speaking in
yery pure French, "we only take advice from
our friends
PreciSe0lcnt," he said, with smile, and a
shrug OF his shoulders 1t is rs friend
offer you my advice"
He pushed his face close TO mine, as he spoke
now in whisper.
"Thc hour is late the streets are unsafe
Twenty men, desperate with their losses, have
seen you Nlu-NIu HtuJ Jot, - hSNSi 81" P'y
or win before. 1t would be temptation
throwing temptation in their way-pultins bad
IDEAS in mems minds, when they would other
Wise 30 quietly home. Is this just, Monsieur
Are mine the words of friend or enemy? Take
NV advice, If ii seem friends, and stay here
ifit seem an cncmy's, rouse your comrade, and
go in peace.
He tapped my breast with his fingers, which
came in contact with the nap0leOns in my pock
et and smiled mcanngly, but with leer in hii
ewes which troubled Inc, and made me turn
uncasily to look at Rivers
Crossing TO him, ! shook his arm, but only
obtained few unintcigiblc muttcringS
though earnestly besonght him 10 wake up
His arm dropped ncrvcless 10 his side. his heat
sank lower upon his bosom, and breathing
strntoriously the WHILE he seemed 10 b,
plunged in a deep, heavy sleep, from whicl
| there was no awakening him.
| What could do? What did it nlean-Rivcr
being so fast asleep? Had he been piled will
wine? OF was il possible that he could hav,
been drugscd?
halt laughed at what seemed to be the alb
surdity OF the thought, full OF romance rs i
appeared but the next moment cold chill
ran through HE ~ | recalled The words of oil
friend who had brought US there,-"l don
consider this the safest Of places"
What should | d0-rln all risks and go, o
run all risks and stay The danger seemed
equal OH either hand while how could q
and leave my companion in the hands ofthes,
people cursed the folly that made me stay
that had brought nc TO such Il place 10
what, after all, were my winnings cOmpare(
with life How could tell what would be my
| fate before morning, unarmed. In q strange
| house, in Il strange city, and surrounded b,