Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-02-27
AT THE CLUB.

reyisiting the pale glimpses Of his
pleasures of thirty years ago. | re-
member quite well the time, because
the club was closed promptly at l
o'clock i'm the morning, and ! reflected
afterwards how much that was unex-
pected could be compressed within the
brief compass of chance hour. The
Jefferson Club was composed Of gem
tlemen, but at that time as ia many
other clubs that have since been
wrecked and forgotten as bad dreams
because Of gambling was permitted
and was, indeed, one of the principal
occupations Of the members in attend
anca. But the gambling was confined
by consent, generally, to the round
games in which gentlemen then took
their excitement.
Colonel Hamilton had, upon enter
INC both whist and poker proposed to
him. He chose the latter, but, it
seems, after pursuing fortune with
even chances for a short time he had
proposed that some OF the gentlemen
present form bank for faro This
was q suggestion that met with much
favor, as the Colonel was well known
BY reputation To most of the members;
and when Mr.. Forrest and his friend
entered a dozen persons were gather
ed around the improyised Garo-table,
half Of them betting against the game,
the others composing the bank watch
inc the progress with much interest.
Colonel Hamilton, his chair drawn up
in the center, was eagerly playing
while Major Kilgore sat across the
table from him watching the changes
OF fortune in his serious and dignitied
way The stakes were small and the
game proceeded with much good
humor and occasional laughter.
In the midst of it the door of the
card-room was quietly opened, and
Count Meagher, who Major Kilgore
keenly disliked walked in.
Mr. Forrest and | were standing
where we could see him as he first en-
tered and ! felt my heart stand still
for moment and then begin to beat
rapidly with an expectation of grave
consequences 1t was that instant
recognition of a crisis which reporter
feels when he sees a man led out for
Nh AItls anu WHICH lllAht0 MS DNlNN
gallop like a race-horse while his train
ed observation, like a cool jockey, sits
firmly with an eye for every motion
and awake to every detail Of the pict-
ure.
AS had been said before, the door Of
the han opened quietly and Count
Meagher walked into the room as the
game was proceeding amid good
humDr and laughter. Colonel Hamil-
tom bad Just lost on the queen, and,
replacing the stake he said:
y ann too old man TO be fortunate
with luc ladies, and therefore | shall
copper the queen to lose, Mr.. Dealer"
All the players and most Of the
spectators were gathered around Col.
Hamilton, who had his back turned TO
the hall door. All of them laughed as
be made the bantering remark. BY
this time Count Meagher had adj
Tsaced dozen steps towards the table,
His quick eye had comprehended the
meaning of the group. He did not
luaN at Mr. Forrest or at me. He
was advancing thus, easily, confident
ly ~milmgly, when suddenly like
piercing draught of winter peuetrat-
ing o glowing room. the hard, irritat-
voice Of Major Kilgore demanded
above the hum n good humor:
What! Is tat man permitted
hga"
Instantly there was a hush.
"huat.-Is that man permitted
heI. he said again, not interroga-
ha.E alone, but with indignant and
s...a.ul surprise in the tone.
hEry smile vanished; all present
loose" up iuquiringly at Major Kill
gore, and then, following his scornful
o. saw Count Meagher in the midi
Gle q the room. | saw the smile fade
Y. e Aeaghers face With a lightning
ase that comprehended instant
j tie situation, as his careless glance
d. unprecedented the occupation Of
u group. he stopped, instantlP, under
HJplier
YEN Major Kilgore arose from his
.. vita his nervous hands at work,
d. cooking at the gentleman ing lir-
asked again:
Does the jefferson Club, gentle.
" permit that man to
c ncrca"
#d. that there might be no doubt
e. .a the man he meant, he leyeled his
straight at Count Meaeher, as
Dr. spoke.
. As j Hy instinct, to avert or delay
- catastrophe Of a serious situation
!. body fully understood, several
men moved towards Count
q CHER and others towards Major
q Fe. As they approached the
he stepped aside to cast o look Of
sate defiance at Major Kilgore.
.le3 ont 20 him
I understand, sir, that you are
- of ae3a
ana asking a-informa-
Of gentlemen, SIR, re-
Major kilgore. Il have not
YOU
MAJORS voice was as cold as
lbs words as direct as bullets
ll- stood as erect as an athlete. as
stone. his head thrown back