The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-19
THE SPANlARD'S LAST PRIZE.
"A Sketch of Naval Adventure.

II say, Ralph, it is close upon midnight,
and there is little use in going aboard the
corvette at this late hoal. We may as
make a night of it and crop into
Sauspertl's. Everything is in full blast
at this time. and you may never have an
other such opportunity OF seeing life in
Jamaica. We will sail tomorrow, you
know"
Sausperti's, Jack9 Seems to me
have heard the name before, and yet I
cannot place it. What is ia cafe?'
"You can see for yourself in five min
- utes. In all probability you will meet
old Sundries, the purser, there, and, in
fact, all the notabilities Of the island.
Hark! do you hear that delicious strain of
: music, and the air-do you recognize it?
Yes, gem from Trovatore, and the per-
formers, or should say artistes, are only
retained by Sausperti at a heavy expense.
But here we are, and now for a glimpse
of life in the tropics"
The friends passed through the wide
gateway, which assumed CHASTITY white
hue in the brilliant blaze of light that
streamed from score of heavily -draped
open windows. The rose colored globes
cast delicious hue upon gorgeous scene,
Rejecting hack the glittering buttons on
the uniforms of the two gentlemen who
had at that moment entered the mansion
Ralph Claxton was a Lative Of Charles
ton, a generous hot-headed representative
of the Palmetto State, and filled the
position Of first lieutenant of the crack
American corvette FREELY. His COM
panion was Captain Jack Weathersby,
commanding the marines of the corvette.
The soft, voluptuous strains of the band
stole gently forth upon the perfumed air,
and, strolling from room to room, fur
nished with gorgeousness not unworthy
of Rajah's palace, the two officers
quietly observed the throng crowding
around the tables. Ladies and gentle
men in full evening dress, soldiers IN
scarlet. with orders and crosses on their
breasts, navy officers, representing half.
a-dozen different natlonaIites, priests,
bankers and merchants-al were there.
The mellow clink of doubloons. as the
ever-shifting gold changed hands, the
low monotonous tone Of the croupier's
voice, the suppressed breathing of the
gamesters, mingled with an occasional
passionate exclamation as some unfortu~
nate player staked his last gold piece
and lost, was all that reached the ears in
those vast rooms. Silent, well trained
servants glided noiselessly to and fro,
bearing iced wines, frozen fruits, sherber
and creams to the guests of Sausperti.
"1onder is Sundries, and, Judging
from the crowd surrounding the table
be IS playing heavily. 1t is his creates
failure, and he has sacrificed an estate
that has been in the family for years, t,
say nothing of a numerous body of slaves
But colne-let's see who is winning"
the purser, fat, red-faced, jolly littl
fellow: had evidently been heavy loser
fighting in vain against the run of ba,
luck that had set in against him. Hi
opponent was tall, sallow, muscula
SparIard, dressed in species of uniform
with no distinctive mark or badge of ram
about him.
His white teeth cleaned unpleasant
through his ,jet-black mustache, Will
his eyes, as they met those of Raj ph 70
moment, flashed with an expression
that instantly arrested the attention C
the naval officer. There was a certai
oAAN'Oh1C. OlOOOCu luC MA
that struck Ralph as particularly diss
greeable.
The eyes Of the spectators were faster
ed upon the facinating gold, for whic
the gamesters were throwing dice, eac
using the same pair. But Ralph watche
the quick movements Of the successfu
gambler, who was rapidly draining til
purser.
It had struck Ralph as exceedingl
strange that the Spaniard should be Fl
'vored with such an extraordinary run
good fortune, and changing his positio
to one nearer the purser's opponen
Ralph redoubled his vigilance.
His suspicious were we'll founded, f,
the Spanird, by rapid. dexterous move
,ment, only to be attained by long pra
,tice, succeeded in changing the dice
movement invariably followed by
~diminution of the purser's gold. Ral1
had often heard Of the dexterity al
tricks Of gamblers, but had never befo
seen an exhibition Of their infamous ski
The cheat being practiced upon /
brother officer was known in those da
as the azio dozus, or dice trick, and t
blood of the chivalr0us SOutherner flow