The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-02-15
RICHMOND. WAYNE CO.. Ind.

AYNE CO., IND.
to the corpulent dpctof, who qnaffed his
vine more modsnlnsly, sad whose Zip
pant, yoluble tongue Was busily relating
incidents of his sxperiance that had
occurred during his late absence.
St. Clair, as . natural consequence.
was soon drunk. and Katie, who had
followed him down stAirs and, onobserv-
cd, was watching him through the half
open door, turned away with low moan
An hour later.
The revelers we're still talking and
swearing and slipping the rum they low
ed so we'll. Several had drank until they
we're tipsey, while st. Clair himself Was
beastly intoxicated, sreeling backward
and forwards, swearing at the doctor
one moment and patting him on the
shoulder the next.
It was just at this time that new
visitor came saunsering into the saloon,
and joined the crew Of noisy bacchana-
lians.
He was . young man mere lad. in
fact, who, to all appearance, Was not
more than seventeen years of age. He
was strikingly handsome, with rather
an effeminate cas,:of countenance, which
betrayed no dissipation, no wickedness
nothing that would lead one to believe
he was accustomed to such company as
he was now entering.
And yet, as if to belle the expression
of innocence and artlessness his hand
| some features wore, he entered with q
kind Of loose independent step, twirling
in his fingers slender; supple cane,
and glancing carelessly and lazily at
the different persons present, and the
chinking bottle and rustling cards. as
though the scene there presented to
view was the old, old story to him. He
bowed low to the drunken host. who,
with blinking eyes and heavy head en-
deavored to return the salutation, very
nearly losing his equilibrium in the
effort.
The young stranger sauntered on,
stopping occasionally to chat with some
staggering devotee of Bacchus, or look
over the shoulder of some course. blear
eyed ruffian as though interested in the
game that was being carried on, pre-
tending once in a while, to drink, but in
| vvnunh - -nffin0v nv
lips.
All on sndden he paused, as be
heard Dick st. Clair, who had taken but
little notice Of the new conner, cry out
to his corpulent friend. the doctor
81 say Doc, have you got any sinners
about your clothes II so, we'll have
a game here and now, because you SCI
I'm determined to win something to-
night" -, -
The face of the youth underwent q
slight change on hearing this remark
and he glanced with clouded brow at
the portly person to whom it was ad-
dressed.
These words Of the host were Just
wha:the doctor had been waiting for. HI
had drank but little, and while his COM
panion was quite drunk his brain was
not the least effected.
His face lighted up at the proposition
and he readily complied, quietly re-
marking that he guessed he could afford
to lose little money as ne was certain
to do il he played,
But at that moment the unknown
youth who had just entered stepped
nimbly forward touched st. Clair on the
arm:
"See here, old fellow" he said, in ar
urging way, ON play with you il you
have no objections. I'm well supplied
with the rhino, and if am q novice il
the art so much the better for you
Come. my good friend.''
"That's the talk, youngster; you're a
TRIUMPH hiccoughed the thick-tongued
drunkard, turning toward the lad. What's
you're name, my jaybird3"
"Ah, forgot that you didn't know
me. You may call me Willie Madison,
sir, if you please"
well. Willie Madison, accept your
offer, and 80, doctor you need put Your
self to no unnecessary trouble. Come
Willie; shuttle up the pack little
The discounted doctor reluctantly
shifted his position. allowing the lad to
take his place. The latter calmly seated
himself opposite the drunken man, dis
playing purse that was apparently we'll.
| filed.
The cards were produced aud shufaed,
the stakes properly arranged, and the
game commenced.
At first Young Madison lost and then