The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-05-13

And what adds TO my trouble, is a
strange terrible impressive dream have
had. Thought saw my wife and children
starving in garrett shuddcr with hor.
ror when think OF the rest Of my dream,
which has appeared to me twice the same
Clarence seemed deeply affected, and
Mr.. Abbott, bis friend, exerted himself to
dispel the gloom IN which he was plunged.
Come said he, sdo not think any more
of these idle dreams. They were brought
about by your anxious state Of mind. And
beg Of you not TO give way to despair
Your family must and shall be found; md il
YOU will give yourself up TO my direction,
to night, Ipromise to devote myself to your
cause tomorrow
sAnd pray, what do you propose to do
with me to-ngbt?' asked Clarence with a
faint smile.
MY dear friend, think little excite.
ment is needed TO dispel these cares. You
know | am opposed TO the profession ol
gaming, but on occasions have 90 obiec-
,ions to il as an amusement; and as have
admission to genteel establishment. sup.
pose we pay il visit--if only to look on
Clarence made objections; but bis great
fault was that he was too easily influenced
and his friend had not much difficulty in
leading him into one oftbose places, which
With his experience in their dangers and
sininIness, he should have avoided, as he
would have Stunned the eternal pangs OF
conscience.
Ii was far from the unhappy man's inten
tion to engage in any game, when he en-, er.
ed the nest Of ruin and remorse. But old
associations, bringing forcibly 10 mind the
lascinaiions of play, joined to the persun-
sions Of his welI-meaning but misguided
friend, turned him aside from bis purpose
And Clarence. excusing himself to his
conscience with the resolution to play only
small stakes, and falsely reasoning that j,
was right TO seek relief from his depressing
cares in little excitement, consented to in
duge halt an hour or SO, with stranger to
whom he was introduced.
The person who yields one step to temp
tation, is not safe. lf he yields no more.
il is because the devil is grown careless Of
his interests and lorgots to follow up his ad-
vantages.
Clarence did yield more. In half an
hour he was plunged deeply in the excite
men, Of play. Fortune seemed to favor
him. Large stakes were played, and every
time he swept the board. His adversary
grew desperate; both were mad--emphati-
cally mad!
Suddenly the loser Of immense sums
Clarence had swept into pile on his side
of the table, sank back in his chair, and
wiped the cold sweat of agony from his
brow. His face was ghastly white; bis
lips colorless.
the devil is playing for you,' be said to
Clarence. with forced smile. You have
won all-bui,' he added quickly, faint
ray Of hopo iIIuming the despair Of bis fea-
lures. 'here is one more chance--and, per-
haps,' he muttered through his closed teeth,
the devil will come over on my side!'
He drew from his finger diamond ring.
q paid thirty dollrrs for this today he
said. Examine it, and call it what you
like
sWilh trembling fingers Clarence Elery
took the ring. A deathly pslor overspread
his features. With cry Of horror he
started to his feet. and staggered into the
arms Of his friend, exclaiming-
Good God my dream! my dream!'
sBe calm; what is the ma,ter?' asked Mr..
Abbott, leading him aside.
This ring my dreaml' murmured Clar-
ence, hoarsely, 'ihe hand of God is in it,
.But compose yoursef,' said his friend,
remember you are in the midst Of stran-
gers
Il will,' replied Clarence.
And returning 10 the table, he addressed
bis astonished adversary in low, earnest
tone:
Il wish to know where and how you OBJ
tanned this ring
The stranger replied that lie had bought
il that day from jeweler, VII ,se address
he gave To Clarence.
sand this is all you know about i, . asked
the latter, earnestly.
sAll.'
my friend,' then said Clarence, Il have
played with you my last game Of hazard.
But have not played with you to win
your money. Here sweeping his win
nings across the table, take all this back
again. II is yours, and ! would moi touch a
dollar Of it for the world. All ask is that
you will sell me this ring, which must
possess
Sir replied the astounded player, ta-
king, Clarence Ellery's hand, i beg thai
you will do me the favor to accept ii, as a
token Of my regard. lean afford to give it
away, for have been taueh, lesson which
shall never forget. This is the last OF
my gaming
The late antagonists shook hands, and
Clarence. hastily leaving The establishment
with his friends, related TO him as they pass
cd down the street together. how, twice in
the same night, he had dreamed that, while
his family was starving, he played high
stakes at the gaming table. and won tina,
same eweI-his onn bc.rothal ring
Abbott thought him ins ane, until examln-
ing the ring at their hotel, he read to his
asionishment the lettering on the inner
surface
sCLARENcE TO CLARlssA.
Iv.--MIsSION OF THE RING.
The poor woman, who occupied with her
two children, the garret in Mr.. shillng's