The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-10-29
when We bad ended Il, l began 70 pen

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more wine than was good for me.
Come, my boy" said my host, while
I was mistily rubbing my hand over my
forehead, ''we'll Just take drop Of cog
MAC TO steady us, and then you shall see
me to his lnrdships.
And with that he filled me large tum-
bier from the decantrr of brandy.
mo, really r. said /. you must ex-
cuse me-"
Nonsense, my lad - nonsense II
will do you good"
/ was weak enough to be persuaded,
and swallowed IL forthwith.
had not been more than Ave minutes
in the air, on our way to Lord LIS, before
l felt that was intoxicated.
], however, regulated my motions, and
counttrf,ited sobriety as W, II rs could,
until we arrived at large entrance, with
brilliant gOs-light in the glsss-wo Of
the door, but exactly where 1t was situ-
ated have not to this day any idea.
This, my companion said, wos Lord
LIS, and was about to part with him,
when he protested that, after the pleas.
ant evening we had spent together, he
could not think of my leaving him just
yet. Ho would introduce me to his lord
ship. who would be delighted to see any
friend of bis.
reluctantly yielded, and suffered my
self to be lugged in, was introduced to
the noble lord, and was speedily seated
at an elegant table, on which yet linger-
ed the romans cf dessert, together with
decanters of wine in abundance.
felt that it became me to be on my
best behavior at the board of peer, so /
drank but sparingly, that might add as
little as possible to the confusion already
in my head.
In short time the company adjourned
to the drawing-rooms, where cards were
proposed, and the tables were speedily
prepared.
at irst declined playing, and occu-
pied myself with pretending to watch the
games.
In one corner of the back room per-
ccived a table, at which my new friend
seemed to preside al chairman, with
something that 7 imagined very much
like q rake in his hand. with which every
now and then he seemed to draw heaps
of coin and bank-notes toward him.
During au interval of play, his lord
ship the msrquis-a very aristocratic-
looking character this gentleman
sauntered up to me, land the former pleas
antly challenged me to take hand at
whist with with him. for the purpose Of
promoting better acquaintance.
This I could not very we'll decline. but
seized an opportunity to mention private.
ly, not to his lordship, but to the new
fri, nd that had introduced me to the dis.
nnguished company. that had unfor.
tupately come out without providing my.
self with money.
'Pny, wba, time is it 7" he asked ,smil.
ing urbancly, aud drew ont the costly
legacy of my lamentod relative to answer
him from,
That's handsome WATCH" said be,
"Prsy let me examine it."
/ did SO; whereupon he opened it, an6
inspected its works and cases with the
eye Of II connoisseur.
1t certainly was very beautiful watch
and one that tue donor, collector o
rare and valuable things, bad set grea
value upon.
1t was an old-fasLioned chronometer
massive mat, rial.and richly studded will
diamor ds-such one as few Americans
are foolish enough to wear-and, togeth
er with the fob-chain, could not hav
been worth less than hundred and fit,
guineas in those days
: Beautiful, beautiful said the gentle
man as he returnrd 1t to me. "But
beg pardon, you say you have no money
How very unfortunate! for am in jus
the same sort of predicament myself
You see, we left my place in suck hui
ry. But" he aided, 1.-THE game is abou
to begin; it only waits for you. I shoul
D not like you to mention to his lordshi
that yon are without cash, bnt ] can sue
gest way out Of the dilemma. kno'
his lordship's steward, rich old rasca
and one who has had some pretty pick
: ings in my lords service. 1 can assuI
you. have no doubt that to oblige m
; he will let you have what you require
J You can, just for forms sake, leave you
: watch and chain with him just to Il
him know its no particular obligation
n that's ALL till can send one of the Sc
wants to my lodgings for money"
i With these words on his lips, he bega
d piloting me to small room on IL
: ground floor, where we found the stew
i ard, who. to oblige his lor jship's psrtii
d ular friend, lent me fifty pounds, viii
l 1 placed as security in his hands Il
watch and chain, which in my sob'
/ senses would hardly have parted will
d even to ward OF starvation.
81 Returning to tie drawing room, Il
% Marquis gaily called on me to take II
Is seat, which did. The cards we're dea
again and again, and was very speedil
d minus about fo:ty-five out OF my IF
t pounds.
d Indeed, foolish, beaten and confuse
is was on the point of losing the remaini'
At five, when man suddenly rushed In
" the room. and Vociferated sonethiI
h which set host and guests in tumult
BE dismay.
t. The lights were extinguished as If
ID magic, and there was a general rush.
ie which joined. thinking the house W
rs on fire.
'Catch hold, Tom, somebody said,
@ l was hurrying past near where the tat
as stood at which had seen my friend wi
OF the rake and a heavV baQ Was thrust