The daily gazette., 1877-03-19
The Unknown Gambler,
BY G. M.

Ernest Clifford had been left heir to a
neat little fortune, But not content with
this SUM, and being indisposed to labor,
he commenced to tamper with the tickle
goddess, Fortune. AT first he ventured
only few dollars, but growing bolder,
ne at last stood on the very threshold Of
ruin. His friend, Charles Seymour--who
had once played heavily, but having seen
the error Of his ways, had reformed
warned him in yain--begged, remon-,
strated with him, but all to no puspose.
he would promise to desist; but the
next night was sure to find him in the
same place. The night before we intro
duce him, he met with heavy loss. He
was not only fleeced Of all the ready
money he had, but under the influence
of the maddening excitement, he pledged
his watch, the last gift of his dying father,
and lost. ali.,,,,'
His antagonist was a person unknown
in the saloon. He was a tall, dark-look-
ing man, with broad shoulders and long
hair, which hung in dark masses over his
neck. His features were nearly covered
with heavy beard, and he wore his hat
in such manner that the upper portion
Of his face was entirely concealed Ern-
est thought he had seen him before, but
when or where, he could not tell. He
had agreed to meet him again on the
night that our story opens, and was now
on his was to the rendezvous.
The large hall was brilliantly lighted
by the many lamps that hung from the
lofty arched ceiling, and on every side
stood ornamental tables, around which
many were playing, while others stood
looking on, watching the vicissitudes of
fortune that were constantly taking place.
"Do you play tonight ?" asked a
friend, as Ernest entered the apartment.
Eyes. Is he here ?'
"He! Who?"
"The one with whom played last
night" rnt'
al think not-I have not seen him."
was the reply. ...p'
Ernest passed slowly on, looking into
every face, but the one he was in search
of was not there. An hour passed on,
and yet he came not. The hands of the
large clock pointed to the hour of eight.
sStrange he does not come" said Ern-
est to himself; cit is now eight o'clock.
and he should have been here an hour
ago.
The young man began to think he
would not come; but presently the door
opened, and the form of the mysterious
gambler entered. he smiliDgly ap-
preached the youth, who received him
with slight inclination of the head.
"You are true to your appointment,
Mr.. Clifford" said the former. oHave
you waited long?"
81 have been here about an hour"
was the reply.
81 intended to have been here before, "
continued the gambler quickly, ''but
owing to circumstances could not.
was unexpectedly detained an hour, and
lit was impossible for me to leave.n
go, never mind" said Ernest; "I have
been deeply engaged in watching the
changes of fortune, and the various ma
lures and dispositions of the players"
"Ah, yes! this is the place to read a
mans character. He cannot conceal it.
have studied deeply into the mysteries OF
human nature, and could read to you
the character of every person in this
room"
Earnest gazed into the face Of the dark
man before him, as if he would read his
very soul; but there was something there
he could not fathom. He felt an uneasi-
ness in his presence he could not shake
of.
"Will you again try your luck at the
hazard table?" asked the latter.
"Yes, if you wish," was the reply; and
the the two were soon seated beside one
ofthe exquisitely carved tables that Or
namented the room. The game COM
menced in earnest, and the bets ran
high. 1t seemed that Earnest's expecta-
ton was to be fulfilled, for he was un-
usually lucky. He won at nearly every
game and his opponents pile was grow
ing lower every moment.
"You are lucky tonight" said the lat
ter; "you will retrieve your loss of last
night,
~ hope So" was the reply.
Again the game commenced. Ernest
played recklessly, and without regard to
consequences, yet fortune smiled upon
him.
"Out again!" said his opponent, as he
raked down the glittering pile; 81 hard
ly need play against you, for you seem
fated to win.
Hours passed on, and yet no signs Of
WEAKNESS appeared in either of the COM
batants. Ernest had won not only his
watch and the whole amount he had lost
but very large sum beside.
"Do you wish to play more?" asked
the gambler at length; "you have won
your watch, together with more than you
lost last night"
The young man gazed in tbe face of
the speaker, and thought he detected
signs of alarm on his countenanee. He
thought he saw in his hesitation the fear
of losing his gold, and exultingly ex-
claimed: .ts.
0If you fear to play longer, we will
stop-if uot we will proceed"
,sGo on" was the reply; ''perhaps the
luck will turn" "a
The dark features of the gambler wore
the same expression of cool, quiet indit-
ference; yet peculiar change came over
his countenance as he spoke. There was
a sly twinkle in his eye--a kind of half
hidden smile, that boded no good to his
opponent. The bets were immense, and
every person in the room gathered round
TO witness the result. For some time the
t;da of fortune seemed to favor neither;