The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-02-04

The moment we we're introduced in
the drawing-room my suspicious OF the
company we were likely to meet with
were fully confirmed.
"Cards, billiards and betting there
was the inscription legibly written on
the manner and appearance Of Captain
Peterkin. The bright-eyed, yellow old
lady who kept the boarding house
would have been worth fve thousand
pounds in iewelry alone, if the orna-
ments which profusely covered her
had been genuine precious stones. Tho
younger ladies present had their cheeks
as highly rouged and their eyelids as
elaborately penciled in black as if they
were going on the stage, instead Of go
ing to dinner. We found these fair
creatures drinking Madeira as q whet
to their appetites. Among the men,
thore were two who struck me as the
most finished and complete blackguards
whom had ever met with in all my eA-
perience, at home or abroad. One, with
. brown face and broken nose, was pre-
sented to us by the title of "Com-
mander," and was described as person
Of great wealth and distinction in Peru,
travelling for amusement. The other
wore military uniform and decorations,
and was spoken of as "The General"
A bold, bullying manner, fat, sodden
face, little leering eyes, and greasy
looking hands, made this man so repel-
lent to me that privately longed to
kick him. Romayne had evidently been
announced, before our arrival, as
landed gentleman with q large income.
Men and women wed in seryile atten-
tions to him. When we went into the
dining-room, the fascinating creature
who sat next to him held her fan before
her face, and so made private inter-
view Of it between the rich Englishman
and herself. With regard to the dinner
I shall only report that it justified Gap
tain Peterkin's boast, in some degree at
least. The wine WAS good, and the con-
versation became gay to the verge of in
delicacy. Usually the most temperate
Of men, Romayne was tempted by his
neighbors into drinking freely. 1 was
unfortunately seated at the opposite ex-
tremity of the table, and I had no op-
portunity Of warning him. The dinner
reached its conclusion, and we all re-
turned together, on the foreign plan,
to coffee and cigars in the drawing
room. The women smoked and drank
liquors as well as coffee, with the men.
One Of them went to the piano, and
little improptu ball followed, the Indies
dancing with their cigarettes in their
mouths. Keeping my eyes and ears on
the alert, saw an innocent-looking
table, with surface of rosewood, sud-
denly develop a substance Of green
cloth. At the same time neat httle
roulette table made its appearance from
hiding place in sofa. Passing near
the venerable landlady, I heard her ask
the servant, in whisper, {" il the dogs
were loose?" After what had OBJ
served, could only conclude that the
dogs we're used as patrol to give the
alarm in case Of descent by the police.
II was plainly high time'to thank Cap
tain Peterkin for his hospitality, and to
take our leave.
1--WE have had enough OF this" /
whispered TO Romayne in English. "Let
Us Co."
In these days 1t is delusion to sup
pose that you can speak confdentialy
in the English language when French
people are within hearing. One of the
ladies asked Romayne tenderly il he
was tired of her already. Another re-
minded him that it was raining heavily
(as We could all hear>, and suggested
waiting until it cleared ap. The hideous
General waved his greasy hand in the
direction OF the oard-table, and said:
"The game is waiting for u.s."
Romayne was excited, but not stupe-
fed. by the wine he had drunk. de an
swered, discreetly enough : 81 must
beg you to excuse me-; am poor
card-player."
The General suddenly looked grave.
"You are speaking, sir, under strange
misapprehension," he said. sour game
Is lansquenet, essentially game OF
chance. With luck, the poorest PLAYER
is match for the whole table"
Romayne persisted in his refusal. As
matter Of course, supported him,
with all needful care to avoid giving
onense. The General took offense,
nevertheless. He crossed his arms on
his breast, and looked at us fiercely.
"Does this mean, gentlemen, that
you distrust the company Pa he asked.
The broken-nosed Commander, hearing
the question. immediately joined US, in
the interests Of peaee-bearing with
him the elements of persuasion, under
the form OF lady on his arm.
The lady stepped briskly forward, and
tapped the General on the shoulder with
her fan. "I am one Of the company"
sho said "and am sure Mr.. Romayne
doesn't distrust me?" She turned to
Romayne with her most irresistible
smile. "a gentleman always plays
cards." she resumed. "when he has a