The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1880-12-17

mitted, admlrlnB the commander.
Gentlemen, if have been led into
expressing myself with unnecessary
warmth of feeling, I apologize, and re-
gret it,"
"Nobly spoken the Commander
pronounced. The General put his hand
on his heart and bowed. The game be-
gan.
As the poorest man Of the two, I had
escaped the attentions lavished by the
ladies on Romayne. At the same time,
was obliged to pay for my dinner by
taking some part in the proceedings Of
the evening. Small stakes were al
lowed, I found, at roulette; and be-
sides. the heavy chances in favor of the
table made it scarcely worth while to
run the risk Of cheating, in this case. I
placed myself next to the least ras-
cally-looking man in the company, and
played roulette.
For wonder, was successful at the
frst attempt. My neighbor handed me
my winnings. 81 have lost every farth-
ing I possess" he whispered to me,
piteously "aLd have wife and
children at home' I lent the poor
wretch five francs He smiled family
ls he looked at the money. eft re-
minds me-" he said, "of my last trans
action, when 1 borrowed of that gentle
man there, who is betting on the Cen
erals luck at the card table. Beware OF
employing him as did. What do you
think got for my note OF hand Of four
thousand francs? A hundred bottles
of champagne, fifty bottles Of ink, fifty
bottles of blackirg, three dozen hand
kerchiefs, two pictures by unknown
masters, two shawl !, one hundred maps,
snd--fve francs.
We went on playing. NY luck de-
serted me; I lost, and lost, and lost
again. From time to time 1 looA ed
round at the card-table. The "deal"
had fallen early to the General; and it
seemed to be indefinitely prolonged. A
heap OF notes and gold-won mainly
from Romayne, as 1 afterward discov-
sred lay before him. As for my neigh
Dor, the unhappy possessor Of the bot
lies Of blacking, the pictures by un-
known masters, and the rest Of it, he
won, and then rashly presumed on his
good fortune. Deprived of his last
farthing, he retired into corner of the
room, and consoled himself with ci-
gar. had just risen to follow his ex-
ample when furious uproar burst out
at the card-table.
saw Romayne spring up and snatch
the cards out of the Generals hand.
"You scoundrel " he shouted, ''you
are cheating!" The General started to
his feet in fury. "You lie +" he cried.
I attempted to interfere but Romayne
had already seen the necessity of con-
trolling himself. ga gentleman doesn't
accept an insult from a swindler," he
said, coolly. "Accept this, then / p" the
General answered, and spat on him.
In an instant Romayne knocked him
down!
The blow was dealt straight between
his eyes he was gross, big -boned
man, and he fell heavily. For the time
le was stunned. The women ran,
screaming, out Of the room. The peace
.ble Commander trembled from head to
DOT. Two Of the men present, who, to
rive them their due, were no towards,
ocked the doors. "You don't CO."
hey said, "till we see whether he re-
.overs or not" Cold water, assisted by
he landlady's smelling salts, brought
he General to his senses after a while.
1e whispered something to one Of his !
riends, who Immediately turned to me.
The General challenges Mr.. Ro-
nayne," he said GAS one of his Sec
nds, demand an appointment for to-
morrow morning" Frefused to make
ny appointment unless the doors were {
rst unlocked, and we were left free to
epart. "Our carriage is waiting out
ide," I added. eff it returns to the
otel without us there will be an in {
uiry." This latter consideration had I
Is effects. On their side, the doors
vere opened on our side, the appoint :
aent was made. We left the house.