Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-11-10
" From the Natl 1nal Era
SCENE In A GAMBLERS LIFE.
B Y IR E n E g.

Upon one ofthe crowded boats that con
tinuaIly ply up and down the Missippi, was
a family group whose detected appearance
attracted general attention. The wife
wore that peculiar melancholy exI ression
of countenance that tells Of life-consum-
ing heartsorrow which lies too deep to be
alleviated by sympathy. Her features
were sharpened by suffering, and her face,
which might once have been fair, had los
its round proportions, and the thin cheek,
and sunken, mournful eve, revealed a tale
of unspoken grief. A young baby slept
quietly in her arms. She looked lovingly
/ upon it, and we'll she might, for it was very
beautiful. One little dimpled hand rested
upon the soft cheek, and the half parted
lips and closely shut eyeids showed how
gently i. slumbered. Now and then q lit
tie girl, sitting close beside her on low
stool, peeped under the light shawl that
half covered the chid's face, looked smil>
ing up to her mother, and again nestled
closer TO her side, till, as the evening ad
vanced, weariness made her eye-lids droop,
and she nodded herself into as sound sleep
as the little dreamer in her mothers lap
The father sat nearly opposite the group,
upon an old chest that contained their all
He looked haggard, pale and distressed.
lie had long lime sat with his head BOW
ed upon his hand, in abstract, moody 81
lence, now and then looking towards his
young wife rs though he had something
upon his lips TO say yet he dared not utter
AT length in quick, harsh tone, in which
there was more Of desperation Than un.
kindness, he said: " a s,f
"Mary, the captain says he shall put US
ashore!" es- sa zs:@ zs ,.= q
/ "What for?'' was her astonished, won
dering reply. a'a .a@ a *s f''@. $2
''l'ye no money, Mary. After bro'l
you on board, [ went blck to G-'s to
Try my luck once more, and the scoundrels
won every dollar. The knaves! they have
cheated me. If could only have had
time to try my luck again, I'D soon have
shown them could win as roundly as
they" -~.-s---@ T-'+ '-.'
In giving vent to his excitement, he for
got for the momen, the consequences which
his gra,ihed passion had already brought
upon mis- helpless family, and angrily start.
ing up, paced the narrow space about them
with flushed and scowling face.
Poor Mary had received The tidings Of
her misfortune with a suppressed groan ;
but now her emotion was fully visible in
the silent tears that fell thick and fast,
while she encircled her unconscious chill
dren more closely in her arms. She re.
membered the many Days and nights of
weary toll she had endured to gather
portion of,he little sum that was to convey
them away from the scenes Of their suffer-
ing, and with which they were to secure
an humble home farther west. But now
oil was gone. The bright an.icipations of
q home of their own, in some quiet spot,
had long been her strength, and many an
hour OF sorrow had been lightened with the
thought that one day they should see the
bright grain waving and the prairie flow
ers springing luxuriantly around their
dwelling; and her heart bsat. with joy, as,
in Imagination, she saw her children bound
upon the green sward, and breathing the
fresh pure air, that had thus far been de.
MED them; and, above all, she would see
her husband freed from the influences that
drew him and his hard earnings to the
gambling tables with such magnetic witch
cry, despite all his resolutions and promi-
ses. But poor Mary's Imagination had
travelled too fast, and her happy dreams
were all crushed now. No word of res
proach escaped her lips, though she shud-
dered as she listened TO the night-wind, and
thought how soen they should be without
shelter. Her accomplishing sorrow touch.
ed the heart of the gambler, and again he
threw himself down upon the old chest, and
burying his face in his hands, awaited The
summons he momentarily expected from
the captain. .s s.a-.E ,a-:s.. ri. .se-
There they sat till midnight approached.
Quiet had taken the place Of the noisy con-
fusion Of the evening, as one after another
dropped away in slumber. The heavy
rum5ling sound OF. the machinery fell pain
fully upon the nervous ear Of the gambler,
as he listened the approach Of every foot
fall, till suddenly the sound ceased and on
ly the rushing waters and the dismal
whistling of the wind broke the stiffness
Presently the captain accompanied by a
man carrying lantern, appeared, and or
dered ,he unwelcome. passengers forward. !.
l hey arose, and without word, obeyed
the summons. 81. ,rs., H.. .ss.zs.=.s
The boat was already lowered, and two
men at the oars awaited ordors, Mary