Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-11-10

smoking, drinking and chattering about
the room drew, as had done, nearer to
the table, to watch the proceedings; the
murmur of conversation ceased, and play
seemed now fully the order of the night
We had been in the gambling house now
quite an hour and q half, when, after impa-
tiently limiting several times that 1t 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 OF, with half
laugh, and returned TO the table. after
hastily swallowing glass of champagne.
Meanwhile our guide TO the mysteries OF
Paris turned to NEE
:" You had better bring him away now, "
he said; perhaps you have more influence
over him l don't consider this the safest
of places"
Feeling uneasy, turned to Rivers, and
whispered to him that il was time to go,
but only to get for an answer an impatient
shrg.
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 small stake upon the table my
self; for several times over had seen him
place money in his pocket, and he had,
besides, goodly heap on the table before
him. xs
At last I grew as deeply intent upon the
game as was Rivers himself, and watched
each venture and its result with an excite
ment only to be explained by 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, avarice. 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 inconceivable
rapidity his pile of money melted away,
almost without single renovating coup.
Then first one pocket was applied to and
then another, till, with a laugh full of dis
appointment and annoyance, he turned
from the table, walked up to the buffet, and
tossed down tumbler Of wine.
1t required almost an effort to tear my
self away from the table, where there was
an excited buzz as Of hungry flies for few
minutes, and then the gaming recon-
menced but followed Rivers to the buff
fet, where he was thoughtfully standing.
Ought to have left off sooner, eh?' he
said; &" or else not have begun" he mutter-
ed. But where are you going.'
"Only back to the table for little
while" said"
No, no lets be off now. I'm sick of
thisi'
/ stayed all this while for your pleasure, "
I replied: / think you might stay a little
while for mine"
II can, stand it" said Rivers: land
am cleaned out"
"Whatg' exclaimed. You have not
lost any of your own money!"
Every franc" he said bitterly /" and so
wilfyou, ifyou go near that cursed table. y
| hesitated for few moments, but the
temptation was too strong: and probably
seeing that hesitation, a waiter approached
and offered me some wine. / could keep
back no longer: the low talking at the
tables seemed like whispers calling me to go
and sweep up glittering pile of money.
Mammon himself summoned me TO his
worship, and feeling certain that ! saw fail
ings in my companions method Of play,
walked up to the table, threw down five
franc piece and saw it raked away.
In sort of intoxication, brought on by
the excitement, staked two pieces this
time, and they also disappeared. Half a
napoleon shared their fate then a napo-
leon when Rivers caught me by the arm,
it being his turn now to play the part
of mentor and to whisper me to come
away.
Monsieur can play for himself, sir.
Why do you interfere ~ said a swartby in
dividual, with short, black beard, and
very close-cut hair.
"I'll come soon,' said, angrily. ~ 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-
ing Frenchman whispered to me, "Play
high, Monsieur; you are more likely TO
have la bonheur.' The tickle goddess likes
not humble offerings
Turning impatiently from my would-be
counselor, whom set down rs belonging
to the proprietary, again threw down u
napoleon, and lost. Another-another-
another. In five minutes had come down
to my last coin, and stood for few mo-
ments thoughtful and bordering. Should
/ let that go with the others or noty Why
should refrain? asked myself bitterly:
my folly could be no greater; and, almost
passionately, threw 1t down, halfturning.
at the same time, to leave the table, and
hurry from the house.
"Won, by Jove" 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 contemptuons glance
from the Frenchman's eye turned me back
and staked again, and again doubled my
stake and won again again doubled, and
won 80 that, in the course of few min
utes, had piled up goodly heap OF five
franc pieces before me.
"Give this gentleman some wine" the
Frenchman said, in low tone, to a waiter,
and glass was handed to me, but. impa.
tiently motioning the man aside, plunged,
as it were. into the overpowering excite
ment Of the play, winning constantly. and
with feeling as of some wild fever thrill
ing through my veins.
Twice over believe that Rivers eagerly
begged of me to leave, but | refused, and
played On, although at the time there was a
strange desire upon me to leave off and
carry away my ill-gottcn gains. Every
stake j laid down was successful, and in