The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-03-15
Miscellaneous.
THE SUBSTANTIALS OF LIFE.

The following amusing iucide nt5 are
related in "Ma rcy's Border Reminis-
cences."
During the period that the Major re-
mained in New Orleans, the pay of the
army was so small, and the paymaster so
seldom in funds, that the officers, for the
most part were obliged to depend for a
subsistence upon the slender fare de-
rived from the com missary's store.
They rarely had an opportunity of in
dulging in the expensive luXu ries that
the market afforded, unless, perchance,
(Which did not often occur,) they Teceiv
ed an invitation to dine out with some
friend who was so fortunate as to poss-
esS means aside from his pay. Accord
ing to his own account, an invitation
was upon a certain occa sion extended
to himself and roommate, brother
officer, named Tom, to join par
ty of officers who were to dine with
Colonel Croglan. They gladly accepted
his invitation, and went to the dinner,
during which the wine circulated brisk
ly, and every one seemed to enjoy the
sumptuous fare which the colonel's long
purse enabled him to spread before his
guests.
AT late hour, when all were compe-
tent to give direct evidence as to the su
perior quality of the wine that had been
so bountifully supplied by their hospita-
bic host, and at a time when some of the
guests appeared about taking their de-
parture,a bottle Of champagne was plac-
ed at each plate, and an intimation Civ
en- by the Colonel that he expected every
one to finish his bottle before leaving
the table. The Major said he regarded
this as a peremptory mandate, drank off
his quota at once, and retired with the
intention of hurrying to his quarters
and going to bed before he became ser.
iously affected by it. On his way, how
ever, he was passing the door of a
gambling saloon, and having dollar in
his pocket, he resolved to try his fortune
with it.
Accordingly he entered, and placed
his money upon card which won for
him several times, and he in short
time accumulated quite "pile of chips,
and he continued betting until the room
began to revolve as upon an axis, the
cards and numbers multiplied into
many times their original numbers,
and everything in the establishment
seemed to wax dim and misty, and
| hually he lost all recollection of events
until, late on the following morning,
he was awakened by his messmate,
Tom, when, to his establishment,
he found himself in his own room suf-
fering from an excruciating headache
After rubbing his eyes and collecting
his wondering senses, he was Informed
By his friend that their larder was com
pleteIy exhausted, and, if they were tc
have any dinner, it would be necessary
to reple nish it, but, as for himself, ht
had no money.
The Major replied that it was likely
his finances were in the same condition
of depletion, as he had paid visit tt
the faro bank, and was somewhat obliv
ious as 70 the result; but, if there wa'
anything, he presumed il would be founc
in his pockets; whereupon his clothes
were examined and to their utter amaze
ment and delight, every pocket of his
coat, vest and trowsers was crammeC
full Of doubloons and bank notes,
amounting in the aggregate to some
thirg like ten thousand dollars.
"Now, Tom, my boy" said the Major
"as we have been roughing 1t for a gooC
while on commissary tack, propos
that you 60 to market and lay in a goo'
stock of luxuries, and from this tim
out Well live like gentlemen" Where
upon his friend took money and wen
out in quest ofsupplies.
Now Tom, be it known, was himsel
very fond of his greg, and would a
any time sooner have dispened with hi
dinner than his liquor. After he ha'
been absent for while, the major hear
heavy rumbling noise, like the roI
ling of logs across the hall, and, on &c
ing to the door, found his friend engag
ed in experimenting the unloading c