The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1873-01-15

dark despair. Why do such things
prosper, when religion may pass
unnoticed? Oh world, thou art
an enigma! :,
Finally, became SO interested
in the playing that l seemed to be
as much excited rs the players
themselves. And an incomprc-
hensible resolve prompted me to
participate in the game. | thought
to myself it would do no harm, as
I would only play just one game
Oh human nature, how weak thou
art when in our own estimation
we are the strongest, we find too
soon that we arc the weakest.
paid for my checks and quiet
lY waited for the game to proceed,
picturing myself as q gambler and
all that was wicked.
But my musings were cut short
by hearing the crier call the num-
bers. and one after another | COW
cred my card with the numbers
! corresponding, until the line OF
umbers We're covered, and then
; in trembling tones | cried "keno"
! and Immediately a man came and
gave me u large amount Of gold.
How long played l know not,
for was blinded by the excite
mcnt, and knew not when 10 stop.
At last q voice cried in French,
; that the bank was broke that
evening, and 1 the winner--with
Q heavy bag Of gold!
| arose from the table, and was
about leaving the room, when a
hand was laid upon my arm and L
voice asked:
! "Monsicur, may I ask your
name?'
l turned around and behcld the
proprietor. l answered:
my name is Summers; from
the United States. What can l
do for you ?"
"You may deem it quite lmpcr'
tincnt in me, Monsieur Summers,
for asking your name; but l
thought, perhaps, you might never
be heard Of again and by know.
| ing your name | might be able to
throw some light on your muir
dcr!'
| "Murder!" exclaimed lin aston
ishment.
"Mopsieur, l presume you are
aware that all eyes arc fixed up
on you, and as they know that
you are a stranger in Paris they
are likely to take advantage of
your ignorance Of the city, aud
waylay you before you are half
way between here and the hotel." "
Il have kept this place for iit-
teen years." continued he, "and |
feel bound to protect all who en-
ter this house. [ propose that
YOU remain here until morning,
for l can accommodate you with a
room where you can sleep with
safety. Take Il glass Of Madeira
with me? tits Of the best quality"
l weighed his words carefully.
and determined to remain all
night. IT'S true the house was in
a very desolatc part Of Paris, with
it's rear shadowing the Seine, but
his politeness and FRANK manner
convinced me that there was no
thing to fear. We sut up until ali
of the guests had departed, and
feeling the effects Of the wine,
concluded TO retire. At his ur
gent request, | consented to drink
another glass Of Madeira, and i'm.
ediately after became quite
dizzy, and could scarcely stand
erect.
1 was assisted up stairs and
ushered into a room comfortably
furnished. After locking the dcol
l put the bag OF money on q table
and began examining the apart
mcnt. The room contained ar
old oaken bedstead, which stooC
in the centre Of the room. lLWa:
, the most angular pioce OF work
manship l have ever seen, as th'
, head and foot of the bed rose ar
equal height, both made of mas
sive wood, at least three inches
, thick. If they had hinges {
, thought) at the ends they woul'
=, meet perfectly when let down.
r On the wall were hung three pic
s lures, one representing the exccu
= ton Of Louis XVI, the CORY head
+, staring eyes and matted lock
, dropping into basket, with tb
fsherwomen seated around laugh
= ing, taking stitch in their knit
> ting when q head fell into th'
, basket.
Tho other was the death o
f Robespicrre, the inventor of tn
instrument Of mans depravity
! and the third picture, which hun!
\ at the foot of the bed where tE
I. light fell upon it, seemed to m
like g Jumping jack. with his han
q about to lift off his hat which ha
+ large plume stuck in it. I thre'
myself upon the bed, thinking &
the illustrations upon the wall
,. the blood-stained past, which cor
d spired to create feeling Of dread