The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-09-23

had struck i streak of lnokl He took
poised old old eSs;t ;Ss hgSss III it6 the gold spec.
taoles lost his aauil libriem and His ITEM;
per- Hes Rdgsted, and perspised, and
cursed the o..nigger luck" which had SO
unaccountably fallen upon Jim Saun-
ders.t AS for that gentleman, still Icool
and impassive, he continued to make
and win heavy bets, and pass in great
stacks of chips, receiving greenbacks in
exchange. The bank was weakened by
an awful hemorrhage. The speculative
Scotchman with the bristly moustaches
over his eyes, the other players and dead
beats suspended operations and crowded
about Jim Saunders, watching the des-
perate struggle between that young man
and his mortal enemy. "Young man,
you're in luck" suggested the heavy
Scotchman; you've won enough to
start daily newspaper. Now you'd
better quit. "By Cd, I'll break the
bank" said Jim Saunders.
of his winnings, while the dealer substi.
ahead nearly $4,000. There was some
sense in the old Sawney's suggestion.
He would win enough to make it even
twenty, jump the game, 60 into business,
forswear gambling, become an honest
man, and perhaps
He had 500 on the ten, and it lost.
He doubled the amount, and it lost
again. Again he doubled, and again
lost. A lively calm succeed the stormy
anxiety which hod corrugated the beno-
VIOLENT features of the dealer. The old
villain felt that his ally, the devil, had
como to his rescue. Mr.. Saunders lost
his temper and his judgment, though
there was no sign of it in the stony
serenity of his handsome face. He con-
tinued to bet and lose, until all his win
nings were gone. The thousand dollars
was still in his pocket. His good angel
telegraphed rapid order to leave the
accursed den, and go into some small
business with his thousand dollars. The
devil ut his elbow said no. He might as
we'll be dead broke as with q pitiful
thousand dollars in his pocket-he who
had been cutting it SO fast, spending,
frequently, as much in n single night, to
stuff the hides of worthless vagabonds
with CHOICE game suppers, and make
them drunk on champagne.
He bought 500 of chips. He would
bet carefully now. They were gone in o
moment. Another S1OO followed, and
soon, half of his 81, 600 was gone. He
bit his lips until tire blood came. Then
he took $500 in chips. It was near the
close of the deal. He put half on the
nine and the other half on the king,
which he ''coppered. The dealer
slipped the cards, and the order in which
they came was nine, king.
. "Whipsawed, by Cd" said Jim
Saunders.
The countenance of the benigrant
dealer was illuminated with genial
smile. "Have some more chips, Mr..
Saunders"
"Not tonight" said Jim.
He walked to the side-board and turn
ed tumbler of brandy down his throat.
Then he helped himself to handful OF
segars, one of which he elightcd. Taking
one or two turns up and down the richly
oarpeted room, chatting nonnchalantly
with acquaintances, he stopped in trout
of large pier glass, and surveyed him
self. The glance as-assured him. His
smooth, placid countenance gave not the
slightest indication of the fact that lie
was without single dollar.
"How long till supper, Prince?" said
he.
"About half nm hour, sah," was the
grinning Africans s response.
"Guess I'll not watt" said Mr.. Saun-
ders; Give an engagement" And he
strolled down stairs. humming al air
from Stradella.
CONCLUDED IN OUR NEXT