Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-10-16

ness SelHeu me. The clock struck IL
each stroke seemed an hour. | tried to
stir, to speak, but could not. My body
was paralyzed, my brain on fire. AL
though in fever, | shook involuntarily
with cold chill. The demons spirit
held me, and forced me to play Ny
bands took and moved the pieces me-
chanically, and yet was looking away,
striving to avoid his glance. Wherever
| looked his friehtful shadow covered me.
[ must have played well. though |
thought not of the game, for again and
again seemed ready to corner him. but
he always thwarted me- All he who
plays with the devil needs fearful odds
At his every advantage, the fire seemed
to rc-kindle, and burn with lurid, sulphur
rous flame He was rapidly corncring me,
and when at length my strength seemed
gone, he made the final move, and I was
beaten. Your life" he cried, as he
vanished. lay back in my chair as if
dead, unable to make move until long
after the sun had crossed the meridian.
and was slowly descending behind west
ern hills. Then seized my pen, and
am now writing. ''Your life" How
the words re-echo in my ears and make
me shudder. What life has it been,
and how useless What an enigma to
my friends, and burden to myself Tn
the morning have "wished to God it
we're evening" and in the evening that
it were morning Ny life was game
have lived no life since have been
here. 1t was the spirit Of pride and am
bition. 1t led me to suppose | was play
ing my game well with the world. Even
last night the devil gave me advantage
after advantage. only to win against me
at last.
was willing to play against the world
Bring on your best talent" said to
myself. Il will yet be first" These
were my boyish thoughts and my sue
cesses made me regard them as virtues
At college my ambition was satisfied and
in my contests gained the coveted lau-
rels. After graduating went abroad
spent some time in Paris, preparatory to
the University Of Heidelburg. Soon af-
ter my arrival there, | became acquaint-
ed with Frederick. He was a fair-hair-
ed Saxon youth of a poetical nature. and
of too delicate organization to long with
stand the storms and rebufs Of this cruel.
practical world His life seemed unruf-
fed by care, and appeared to be spent
in the drcamland of hope. Though our
natures were unlike. yet by some strange
influence we were brought together, as
opposites often are, and an intimate
friendship sprung up between us. |
loved his poetry and music. and used to
listen with delight to his rich, clear voice
as we strolled along the river in the
moonlight nights. He was Of 50 confi-
ing disposition, that to me all his hopes
and joys were known; for he seemed to
have no sorrows. Led by his quiet in
fucnce, joined him in pedestrian tour
through the Tyrol. | was the leader and
he the willing follower, complying in
my every wish He loved me, and !
loved him | think, setond only to myself
But despite my constant intercourse with
his warm, sympathetic nature. could
not reach the heights where he dwelt-
The mountains over which we passed,
seemed to impart to him their free airy
spirit, to me their barren RICHNESS. At |
the villages where we rested, he used TO
play and romp with the children, and
praise the beauty of the pretty mf d hens
Thus we journeyed for several weeks. |
when became anxious to return to my |
studies. All passed well after our re-
turn, until late one evening, when throw
ing my books aside, proposed to Fred
that We play game of checkers He
acqncsced. If | prided myself upon
anything in particular. it was my skill at
this game. Many of our happicst hou
had been passed over the board. | had
no fear of Frederick's reckless, careless
moves, and for long time | had been
successful in a series Of games. While
it afforded me pleasure to win, it seemed
to delight him equally to watch my ma
Mowers and victory During that day
be had laughingly said, ] would not al
ways win; and that evening his dcmean-
or was more serious than usual. Yet
uubounded was my surprise, and morti-
fcation, when, in our first game | was
beaten. Frederick did not appear clated.
but simply smiled and said "Oncc beat
en-" eyes, but once only" said l.
But strange feeling came over me that
be was my superior In our second
game | played with great precaution, he
with rapidity and seeming carelessness.
Again he won, and simply smiled
Am ! thus to be beaten by this boy
thought | whom | have always consider
ed my inferior. The pcrsperation stood
upon my forehead. as we played our
third game and rubber never betray-
ed my outward emotions; but within |
was on fire. My heart throbbcd violent
ly, and felt rising, and almost I'M
comfortable anger. His clear blue eyes,
beaming with pleasure, exasperatcd me
the more. for imagined he was silently
chuckling over my defeat. Again the
third time, despite my long practice, my
former skill, and present care. | found
myself hopeiessly entangled One move,
and was beaten. | could stand it no
longer; my passion overcame me. !
dashed the board from between us, and
struck him.
One week after that, Frederick was
laid in bis coffin.
| can write no more, the rest is written
on my life, my character, and my home,
A woman's modesty is like her color
very becoming if not put on.