Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-09-10
DlISCE L L l. A N Y
SCENE I'M A GAMBLERS LIFE.

SCENE IN a GAMBLERS LIFE.
Upon one of the crowded boats that con-
tinually play up and down the Mississippi,
was family group whose detected appear
ance attracted general attention. The wife
wore that peculiar melancholy expression of
countenance that tells Of a life-consumlng
beart-sorrow which lies too deep to be allie
waited by sympathy. Her features were
sharpened by suffering, and her face which
might ouse have been fair had lost its round
proportions, and the thin cheek and sunken,
mournful eye, revealed a tale of unspoken
grief. A young babe slept quietly in her
arms. She looked lovingly upon it; and
we'll she might, for it was beautiful. One
little dimpled hand rested upon the soft
cheek, and the half parted lips and closely
shut eyelids, showed how gently 1t slum-
bered. Now and then little girl, sitting
close beside her on a low stool, peeped un-
der the lg.t shawl that half covered the
child's face, looked smilingly up to her
mother, and again nestled closer to her side,
till as the evening advanced, WEAKNESS made
her own lips 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. He had long time
sat with his head bowed upon his hand, in
abstract, moody silence. now and then look
ing towards his young wife as though he
had something upon his lips to say, yet dar-
ed not utter. At length, in quick harsh
tone, IN which there was more OF despera-
ton than unkindness, he said:
"Mary, the captain says he shall put us
ashore !"
"What for"' was her astonished, Won
dering reply. :.
81 have no money, Mary. After l bro't
you on board, went back to G--'s to
try my luck once more, and the scoundrels
won every dollar. The knaves they've
cheated me If could only have time to
try my luck again, I'd soon have shown them
| could win as roundly as they"
In giving vent to his excitement, he for
got, for the moment, the consequences which
his gratifed passion had already brought
upon his helpless family, and angrlly start
ing up, paced the narrow space about them
with flushed and scowling face.
Poor Mary had received the tidings other
new misfortune with suppressed groan,
but now her emotion was only visible IN the
silent tears that fell thick and FAST while she
encircled her unconscious children more
closely in her arms. She remembered the
many days and nights Of weary toll she had
endured to gather portion Of the little sum
that was to convey them away from the
scenes of her suffering, and with which they
were to secure an humble home farther
west. But now all was gone.
The bright anticipations of a home oftheir
own in some quiet spot, had long been her
strength, aud many an hour of sorrow had
been Hghtened with the thought that one
day they should till their own land, that she
should see the bright grain waving and the
prairie flowers spring uxuriantly around
their dwelling; & her heart beat with Joy ,as,
in imagination, she saw her children bound
ing 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 gam
ing tables with such magnetic witchery, de-
spite all resolution and d>promises. But poor
Mary's Imagination had travelled too fast,
and her happy dreams were all crushed now.
No word of reproach escaped her lips though
she shuddered as she listened to the night
wind, and thought how soon they should be
without shelter. Her runcomplaining sorrow
touched the heart of the gambler, and again
he threw himself Gown upon the old chest,
aud burying his face in his hands, awaited
the summons he momentarily expected from
the captain.
There they sat until midnight approach
ed. Quiet had taken the place of the noisy
confusion of the evening, as one after an
other dropped away in slumber. The heavy
rumbhng sound of the machinery fell pain
fully upon the nervous ear of the gambler,
as he listened to the approach of every foot
fall. till suddenly the sound ceased, and
only the rushing waters and dismal whist
Inc of the wind broke the Stiffness. Pres
emily the captain, accompanied by man
bearing lantern, appeared, and ordered
the unwelcome passengers forward. They
arose, and, without word, obeyed the sum-
mons.
The boat was already lowered, and two
men at the oars awaited orders. Mary pre-
pared to descend, and placing the babe in
her young daughters arms with word O!
caution, turned from them, and in moment
more was safely seated in the boat. BY the
dim light Of the lamp she watched the com
ing of Anna, with her precious burden, and
with anxious fear saw them lifted to the
boats edge. She reached forward 10 Sc
cure them. but Anna tnttered. and in mo.