Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-16
THE SPANIARD'S LAST PRIZE,
\ Sketch Of Naval Adventure.
BY LIEUT.. II. d. SMITH, L S. r. NJ.

BY LIEUT.. II. ID. SMITH, S. r. NJ.
Il say, Ralph, it is close upon midnight,
and there is little use in going aboard the
corvette at this late houl. We may as
make n night of it and drop into
Sauspertl>s. Everything is in fnll 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, Jack? Seems to me I
have heard the name before, and vet I
cannot placeit. What is it cafe?''
You can see for yourself in five mir
utes: In all probability you will meet
old SUndrles, the purser, there, and, in
fact, alI the notabilities of the island.
Hsrk do you hear that delicious strain Of
music, and the air-do you recognize it?
Yes, a gem from Trcvatore, and the per-
formers, or | should say artistes, are only
retained by Sausperti at 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 a score of heavily -draped
open windows. The rose colored globes
cast a delicious hue upon a gorgeous scene,
rejecting back the glittering buttons on
the uniforms of the two gentlemen who
had at that moment entered the mansion.
Ralph Claxron was Lative OF Charles
ton, generous hot-headed representative
OF the Palmetto State, and filled the
position OF first lieutenant of the crack
American corvette FREELY. His COM
panlon was Captain Jack Weathersby.
commanding the marines of the corvette.
I'ne soft, voluptuous strains of the band
stole gently forth upon the perfumed air,
and, strolling from room to room, fur
nlshed with gorgeousness not unworthy
OF kajahs palace, the two officers
quietly observed the throng crowdine
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 natlonaIitles, priests,
bankers and merchants-all were there.
TIE mellow clink Of doubloons, as the
ever-shifting gold changed hands, the
low monotonous tone Of the croup piers
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 gliaed noiselessly to and fro,
bearing iced wines, frozen fruits, sherbert
and creams to the guests of Sausperti.
"Yonder is Sundries, ana, judging
from the crowd surrounding the table,
he is playing heavily. 1t is his greatest
failure, and he has sacrificed an estate
that has been in the family for years, to
say nothing of a numerous body Of slaves.
But come-lets see who is winning"
The purser, fat, red faced, jolly little
fellow, had evidently been heavy loser,
lighting in vain against the run of bad
luck that had set in against him. His
opponent was tall, sallow, muscular
Spaniard, dressed in species of uniform,
with no distinctive mark or badge of rank
about him.
His white teeth cleaned unpleasantly
through his jet-black mustache, while
his eyes, as they met those of Raj ph for
moment, flashed with an expression
that instantly arrested the attention of
the naval officer. There was a certain
sardonic, cold blooded air about the man
that struck Ralph as particularly disa-
greeable.
The eyes of the spectators were fasten-
ed upon the facinating gold, for which
the gamesters were throwing dice, each
using the same pair. But Raj phi watched
the quick movements of the successful
gambler, who was rapidly draining the
purser.
1t had struck Ralph as exceedingly
strange that the Spaniard should be "a
vored with such an extraordinary run of
good fortune, and changing his position
to one nearer the purser's opponent,
Ralph redoubled his vigilance.
His suspicious were we'll founded, for
the Spanird, by rapid. dexterous move.
ment, only to be attained by long prac-
tice, succeeded in changing the dice-a
movement invariably followed by
diminution Of the purser's gold. Ralph
had often heard of the dexterity and
tricks of gamblers, but had never before
seen an exhibition of their Infamous skill.
The cheat being practiced upon his
brother officer was known in those DAYS
as the alio dolus, or dice trick, and the
blood of the chivalrous Southerner flowed
through his veins with quickened pulse
as he saw the sinister smile Of exultat;on
on the thin and sallow lips of the gam
bier.
It was the last stake of the purser, and
huge drops Of perspiration stood on that
officers brow as he prepared to throw the
dice. Selling goblet of brandy from
a servant passing by, he drained it to the
dregs, but still his hand shook from ex-
element. The Spaniard. cool and i'm
perturbable as statue, was on the point
of deciding the contest, when grip of