The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-11-03
VOLUME XVI.

/ gradually grew higher; gold began to
make its appearance, bright and yellow,
among the silver; men who had been
smoking, drinking and chattering about
the room drew, as | had done, nearer to
the table, to watch the proceedings; the
murlnur of conversation ceased, and play
seemed now fully the order OF the night.
/ We had been in the gambling house now
quite IN hour and 4 half. when, after impa-
/ tiently limiting several times that it was
/ quite time To be gone, our friend, who had
brought us there, drew Rivers from the
table, saying, You have won enough
now-take my advice and come away; !"
but Rivers only shook him off, with half
laugh. and returned to the table, after
hastily swallowing glass of champagne.
! Meanwhile our guide to the mysteries OF
/ Paris turned to me.
| You had better bring him away now,
! he said perhaps YOU have more influence
/ over him. | don't consider this the safest
of places
| Feeling uneasy, turned TO Rivers, and
whispered to him that it was time to go,
but only to get for an answer an impatient
shrug
Our friend stayed some little time longer,
and then, unperceived by me, he left the
room. for the feeling OF interest in my
friend Rivers play had now grown most
intense, since he was still winning, and it
was as much as | could do to keep from
placing a small stake upon the table my
self; for several times over had seen him
place money i'll his pocket and he had,
besides, Il goodly heap on the table before
him.
At last l grew as deeply intent upon the
game as was Rivers himself, and watched
each venture and its result with an excite
ment only to he explained 10y the engross-
ING nature of the play.
For quite an hour my friend went on
winning, men ceasing their own ventures
TO watch those Oftheir more fortunate COM
petitors and now it was that | could see
greed, avaricc, cunning, host OF evil pas
sions, flashing from eyes around, as Rivers
heap of money grew larger and larger
The tide OF Rivers success turned at last
and as | watched him, saw his brow knit
tighter and tighter, as with uncomfortable
rapidity his pile of money melted away
almost without Il single renovating coup.
Then first one pocket Was applied to and
then another, till. with laugh full of dis
appointment and annoyance he turned
from the table, walkedup to the buffet, and
tossed down tumbler of wine.
1t required almost an effort to tear my
selfaway from the table, where there was
an excited buzz as of hungry flies for few
minutes, and then the gaming recon-
menccd but followed Rivers TO the but
fet. where he was thouehtfully standing.
Ought to have left of sooner, eh:" he
said "or else not have begun" he mutter
ed. ." But where are you going.'
Only back 10 the table for little
while, said"
No. no : lets be off now I'm sick of
this
| STAYED all this while for your pleasure"
replied: " | think you might stay little
Il can't stand it," said Rivers: and |
am cleaned out
What ?" | exclaimed. You have not
lost any of your own money!
Every franc he said bitterly; " and SO
will YOU, if you 20 near that cursed table
heSitated for few moments, but the
temptation was too strong: and probably
seeing that hesitation, waiter approached
and offered ne some wine. | could keep
back no longer: the low talking at the
tables seemed like whispers calling me to go
and swecpup glittering pile of money.
Mammon himself summoned me to his
worship, and feclin" certain that | fail
ings in my companions method OF play,
walked up to the table, threw down five
franc piece and saw it rtked away.
Ina sort of intoXication, brought on by
| the excitement, | stakcd two pieces this
time, and they also disappeared. Half a
1 napoleon shared their fate: then napo-
/ leon: when Rivers caught me by the arm,
/ it being his turn now to play the par,
/ Of mentor and to whisper me to come
/ away.
Monsieur can play for himself, sir
/ Why do you intcrfcre:' said Il swarthy in
/ dividual, with short, black beard, and
! very closecut hair.
I'll come soon, said, angrily Il can
( do no worse than you have done"
/ Rivers shrugged his shoulders, and
turned away to take another glass of cham
/ payne from waiter, when the fierce look
inc Frenchman whispered to me, play
| high, Monsieur; You are more likely to
have la bonheur.' The tickle goddess likes
not humble offerings
! Turning lmPatIently from my wOuld-be
counselor, whom set down as belonging
to the proprietary, | again threw down a
napoleon, and lost Another-another-
another. In five minutes had come down
To- my last coin, and ] stood for IL few mo-
]
! let that 90 with the others or not? WHY
should | refrain: | asked myself bitterly
my folly could be no greater; and, almost
passionately, threw it down, halfturning
at the same time, TO leave the table, and
| hurry from the house
won, by Joye," 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 half contemptuous glance
| from the Frenchmans eye turned me back
and staSed again, and again doubled my
stake and won again: again doubled, and
won; so that, in the course of IL few min
utes, had piled up "A go0dly heap of five
! franc pieces before me.
| Give this gentleman some wine" the
Frenchman said, in Il low tone, to Il waiter
and glass was handed to me, but, impa-
! ticntly mOtiOning the man aside, plunged
as it were, into the overpOwering excite
ment of the play, winning constantly, and
with feeling rs of some wild fever thrill
/ ing through my veins.
Twice over believe that Rivers eagerly
! begged of me to leave, but | refused, and
J played On, although at the time there was
strange desire upon me To leave off and
carry away my ill-gotten gains. Every
stake | laid down was successful, and i'm /;
short time found that the greater part ol
the occupants of the room were now watch
ing my success with as much cagerncss as
they had previously gazed upon my com
paniOn.
Once | stopped as tito take breath, and
in the brief moments which ensued seem
ed to look upon the probable result-th,
glittering heap gradually melting away
and taking with it my last shilling and We,
could not restrain myself, but played on
again, still winning. with an insatiate thirs,
for more of the wild excitement ever grow
ing upon me.
Still won; till, trembling for my gains
| began to thrust the coins into different
pockets, lesSening the heap as much as
could, before stalking the largest sum thai
had vet been upOn the table that evening