The Republican journal., 1871-06-29
NUMBER 81.
A Gamester's Bride,
From the San Francisco Chronicle

From the San Francisco Chronicle.
The scene in Platt's Hall. There is
ball going on. Our ''aristocratic circles
are not represented, and Ia creme dc Il
creme is absent; but the moncyed interes
has sent its representatives. Diamond
flash, silks rustic, satins shine, and there
fore we are, perhaps, justified in saying
that the bali was, according TO the moderl
code, respectable. There is a blonde
therein fact, there are several; some
natural, others artificial: the latter the
prettiest generally, and a great deal the
more lively to talk to. There is one blonde
there with very blue eyes and bright hair
She is surrounded by crowd of youths
OF the period, with boots that are too small
and gloves that are too large-in the
fingers; with hair that is too shiny
and eyes that are not shiny enough 4;
with conversation that is too sup-
gestive of cheap tobacco, and wit that
is not suggestive enough of Chesterfield
But they are somewhat nonplussed by the
behavior of the belle of the evening She
is diaraH and lacks her usual viyacity
She seems to regard them all rather as Il
bore than otherwise. Fred tries his soltest
Establishments in vain, and Tins care
fully-selected witticisms fail TO provoke Il
smile, or even to command that attention
which Tim feels he has 9 right to expect,
seeing that he paid for the ball ticket and
the hack, and will have to ccOnOmize for
4 week, and brave out his washrrwoman
tor several days longer in order to make
up Tor it. Whittier wander those blue
eyes 50 necessarily this evening, so that
even the fact that Miss lilly Pigeontoes
has a new style of bronze boots on, or
that Miss Hattie Gadabout has had her old
dress made over again, fail to receive
more than momentary attention? 1t was
case of love at first sight, for in the
further corner Of the rooms stands u
young man. A gambler-but with love
ly moustache; Il sport-but with charm
inc eyes; faro dealer-but beautifully
dressed; a short card player-but with
such 4 dear figure. The blonde is smit-
ten; the sport sees it; for certain contin-
genries of his profession are apt to render
the eyes smart-their hands too, we have
been told. He is cautious, however,
sports usually are. He inquiries Of his
friends around the room: "Who is the
little Girl in the corner there, in the blue
dress and big panier, fair hair and pink
cheeks ?" He is told; the information
seems satisfactory; an Introduction soon
follows, aud palpitation, mutual admira-
tlon, and arrangements for future inter
course, fill up tic remainder of Miss
Carries evening
When Miss Carrie found out the social
status Of her lover, and how she liked
it when she found it out, we cannot sav,
precisely, but it is reasonable to suppose
that she was not very much shocked at
the discovery, since 4 beautiful sport and
Il pretty blonde might have been seen al
most every afternoon afterward in a pho
tographer's gallery, seated in close proX-
unity, and Il most confidential and aifec-
tionate manner. upon a lounge for hours
together At least, they might have
been seen had not the friendly handsome
ly feed photographer taken care that no.
body should see them. 1t progressed in
this way some time, the Iady's father
Il rich old merchant prince"-of course
his fair Young daughter employed her
time and her thoughts. Finally, the eli
MAY of all true love scrapes was reached
and secret marriage between the sport
and blonde was the appropriate conclu-
sion Of ciandestine courtship.
Sill. all things went smoothly, at least
to all outward appearance. Before long,
however, a cloud appeared on the horizon.
t came from New ork in the very def
nate shape OF u live, healthy man of busi-
ness, occupying business relations with
Carries papa. The New Yorker saw
Carrie, fell in love with her, and when
he sounded papa upon the subject felt that
h. already had 4 blue-eyed little blonde
for his wife, for her papa smiled gracious
" upon him and intimated tnat Carrie
wa as sensible rs She was beautiful, aud
obedient withal. ST that there would Ger
tlinly be no difficulty about the matter.
What then must have been the astonish-
mont OF the peterfamilias and the chagrin
of the businesS-likc lover, whent the young
lady met the matrimonial project with Il
blank refusal. and expressed her decided
desire that the subject should not be
brought upon the tapis again. ENpostu-
latinns were of no avail, and 50 storming,
Stampedng, and threatening were tried
and with better effect Carrie with Il
tloud OF tears confessed all, and papa
stood agast.
"Nnw papa said the sensible young
lady. ,'there is no use making any tuss
about this-thc thing is none. The only
thing is, how it can be undOne so that |
may comply with your wishes" Papa
listened attentively. She proceeded ~ am
sorry to say that have already reason TO
believe that my husband is tired Of me
and would not be unwilling that [ should
be separated from him. Do you buy HIM
on Make him consent to a divorce.
Give him what money he wants and let
him 90, and then | can marry the rich
and prosperous New Yorker He will
know nothing of this affair, nor will any
one else Papa saw the common sense
Of the plan, and instantly set about the
execution Of it. Several interviews Were
had with the young gambler, and finally,
for and III consideration Of the sum OF
80 600, he allowed himself to be made
the subject of II divorce, and soon after.
the young accomplished Miss was an
nounced to be engaged to Mr., , a we'll
known New York merchant.
The course Of this true love ran "
smoothly as well-oiled golden wheels
could make it, The New Yorker was all
attention; Miss Carrie was all sollness
grace, and amiahility. The charming
mysteries of the wedding trousseau We're
in active progress; the f0ncee fairly gilt
tered with gems presented to her by her
devoted lover; but seven days interyened
between Il New Yorker and matrimonial
bliss, whe one morning Il thrill Of horror
and dismav ran through the household
Miss Carrie was missing The way
.'vonn@ Lowell" celebrated Christmas eve
when The ''holly branch shone on the old
oak walr' was nothing to the style in
which young New York flew around
when he received the intelligence of his
alianced's disappearance. Quite inno-
cent of the horrible suspicion that filled
her tathcc's heart, he could assign moth
ING but some terrible tragedy or hideous
atrocity rs the cause of the young lady
exodus from the bosom of her family and
his arms, and it was not until paterfami-
las received certain letter from the
country that he became aware Of the true
state of affairs. Then the celebrity with
which he picked up his traps and depart
ed for the Empire City was "a caution.
The letter was from Miss Carrie, and
simply stated that she had changed her
mind;n had remarked the handsome
gambler, and had reason to think
they could get along very well on $50,
~,