Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-06-14
THE CAPTAINS LOSS AND THE
WIDOWS GAIN.

At nightfall on an autumnal evening,
when the stars were just beginning to
twinkle over head, like diamonds on a
canopy of azure, two young men were
standing together engaged in conversa-
ton on the steps of the Black Il tgle, 81
fashionable hotel in one of the princi
pal streets of Vienna. One of them
wore the rich uniform of an Austrian
huzzar; the other was clad in the cos.
tune OF gentleman.
$50 all is completed at the ministry
of war except the signature of the com
mission and the payment Of the pur-
chase money! said the soldier.
Gust 80"
"And to morrow, then, | am to con
gratulate you on the command of
company and salute You AS Ernest
Walstein.'
The last speaker. Capt. Christian
Steinfort, was an officer who had seen
two years service.
"Ah, my boy" continued he, "your
uniform will he passport to the favor
of the fair. But you already seem to
have made your way to the good
graces of Madam Won Berlingen, the
rich widow who resides here.
Bah! she Is 40, Il" said Ernest care
leesly.
"But in fine preservation and beauty
for all that said Capt. Steinlort. "rhe
Baron Won Dapgerfold was desperately
in love with her, but within a few days
the widow seems to have cut him. You
are the happy man, after all.
"Undecelve yourself my dear Chris
tan, l have only hlrted with the hand
some widow My heart is already engag-
ed to a charming girl, Meena Altenburg,
the playmate OF my infancy, adopted
and brought up by my father, l am TO
marry her as soon as | get my COM
pany."
And what is to support you, Cap
tain Eamest2"
"My pay Of course, and the income
of the moderate dowfy my father pro-
poses to give Is ftvorite. So you see my
lot in life is settled"
Precisely SO, but since you are free
this evening, l engage YOU to pas il
with me. Have you got any money
about your
"A good deal Besides the price OF
my commission which is safely slowed
away in bank notes in this breast peck
ct, have handful of ducats about
me, with which ! propose purchasing
some tripkets foI my bride. But have
" gold piece or two that | can spare
If"
"Poohl Pooh! Pm well enough pro.
vided. "You know this Is pay day.
Come along
But whithel7'
"Iuu shall see
With these words the captain thrust
his arm within that of his companion
and the pair walked of ut rapid rate
Alter passing through several streets
Steinfort halted, and rang at the door o
a mansion. 1t was opened by a servant
IN handsome livery, and the young gen.
tlemen went up stairs
Walstein soon found himself in a
scene very different from any of which
he had ever dreamed in his simple rus
TIC life upon his fathers farm. Around
large deal table covered with clott
were seated more than a dozen pei
sons Of all ages, all so intent upon whaI
was going forward that the captain
and his friend took their seats unno
tlced. At the head of the table sat /
man III gray wig with pair of greer
spectacles upon his nose, before whom
lay pile OF gold, and who was busiiv
engaged In paying and receiving money
ana III giving impetus to a small ivory
ball which spun at intervals its appoint
ed course. Nsls,ein soon learned tina
TINS was q rouge ct noir table. Tn,
gentleman IN the gray rig was tn,
btEker.
Make your game, gentlemen" sal,
this individual, while the ball spins
Your luck's as good as mine. Its Al
lack at rouge ct noir. Rouge ct non
gentlemen, the finest in the world
Black wins-it's yours sir-20 ducats
and you have doubled it. Make you
game, black or red. )"