The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-10-01
A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE.

Although the experience related in
following lines occurred Il great many
years ago. the Incidents with which it
deals are as fresh in my recollection as
if they happened but yesterday. nor do
suppose they Will be ever be cffaced
from my mind. The astounding nl-
turc of the Details their terrible vivid
ness and reality. and the remrm-
brance of those awful moments spent
in the companuuShip of death. have
left 4 mark on my memory that will
last as long as life itself.
1t was the close of Il day toward the
end of the London season. I had been
dim. " with some friends.
and returning ,..... - Cd into
Fashionable club in the neiyhborhOod
of Coyent Garden. where | knew some
kindred spirits were i'll the habit Of
congre@ating. My step led me to the
card room. less with the Intention of
playing than Of Willing half IN hour
pleasantly away.
For a time | amused myself by
the many wcll-filled tables. and was
thus employed when ] WAS invited 10
a game by an individual who was
quite a stranger To me. and who. | be
came aware, had been eying me intent
ly for several minutes. Despite a pD-
lite ant; @"ntlemanly bearing. the man
had such an Unirrp"~>r>>ing look
-,
cede 10 his request. He was pressing.
however, and after som" little hest
tation | Yielded
He was Il good player. handling his
cards cl"verly and with skill. and his
performance did moi in the least bear
out my half-formcd idea that he was a
possible sharper. on the contrary. his
play was perfectly square and above
board. and was not open to suspicion
in the slightest particular. Luck
however. was entirely against him.
and in less than an hours play he left
off considerably in my debt.
Look here he said. at the finish Of
game for Increased stakes. Il owe
you Is. Come round to my rooms, and
l will pay you at once. My place is
not far from here"
Naturally somewhat anxious to get
what was due to me. | acuuieSced. and
followed him out of the club. | did not
lake particular notice of the route We
pursued, as my companion walked
fast, and l experienced some difficulty
in keeping up with him: but. after
passing through several by-Streets, he
suddenly pulled up before the door Of
house in what appeared to me quite
a deserted neiShborhOod.
Taking latch key from his pocket,
he noiselessly opened the door, and
led the way up fight of stairs into
a long and scantily furnished room,
which had more the appearance of 4
workshop than a dwelling. | was not
little surprised, and somewhat
alarmed to find that he locked the door
Immediately upon our entrance and
pocketed the key.
Noticing that I was watching his
movements. he smiled reassuringly,
and drawing forward couple Of
chairs, which he placed one on each
side of table that stood in the centre
Of the room, he bade me be seated.
Mechanically dropped into one of the
chairs. while he went to a drawer.
and opening it, produced pack of
cards.
I'VE will play double or quits" said
the stranger. in a polite but command
ing tone.
To this | demurred. as the idea did
not at all commend itself to my judg-
ment
Indeed | would rather not l re-
piled, at once Il do not care for that
kind of play
''Oh, but | am sure you will oblige
me-" he said, insinuatingly, shuttiing
the cards as he spoke.
| do not know what it was. but some
thing in the mans manner seemed to
warn me that | had better humor him.
so. after a little prOtestation, | gave
way. and permitted him to deal out the
cards. We played. and he won.
The game is yours. and we are
quits,' | said. somewhat chagrined,
getting up from my chair at the con-
clusion of the game and moving to-
ward the door. IF you will kindly
undo this lock, l will now 60 about my
business"
"Ha. ha.' laughed the fellow, drop
ping his polite hearing. and assuming
threatening attitude. you're not 60
ing to get off so easily as that, | as
sure you, What do you suppose
have brought you here for"'
For no inprorer purpose. trust" |
replied, tnrusting my hands into my