The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-10

CHAP. XIII.
ZGeaGriah Crit acquires knowledge.
al have been locking for you with impa.
tience," observed Martin to Zachariah Grit az
he admitted the latter to tho den in the Rue
81. Anne.
And Eve been hunting for you for the last
hOur" retcrted Grit. Cup one street and
down another, in courts, and up steps, and
through passages, no end Of 'em. What with
The crooked streets and the crookeder lingo,
couldn't get along no ways pleasant Darn the
pstlsy-wooin' But here am, at last.v
They sat down-Martin in the large chair,
Grit by his side. A lamp was burning, and
tie FIRE, though only smouldering, still gave out
sufficient heat to make the temperature of the
place tslerable. They had purpose, evident
Is, Cor nc VERDE were wasted before they On
tered upon the business for which they had
met, except an observation from Grit to the
eEeet that be considered it fortunate circuni-
stance that Martin spoke a civilized language,
meaning English.
II have found it Of use," remarked Martin,
as nc sorted some slips of paper covered with
figures, which he placed before Grit. ~ am
indebted for my knowledge of il to the EGG
lAhman who gave me the first idea which led
to my grand discovery. All, sir, if / had only
hadmOney enough to go on, could have ruined
eTery bank in Paris, Or elsewhere"
"Spec'latin' on chances ANT noways in
eyursgil'" observed Zach, with shrewd, keen
g'anca at his companion. ~ never know'd
much good conc of it il the money-makin'
Inc You see, if you gets streak o luck one
day you're e'vn Almost sure to try chances for
& better tho next; bat il don't come apays.
Now, never had no science. It's ell lack with
ne. When | sees there's run on a particular
acnSar, or On particular color, backs it at
E1g edds. Sometimes wins, but sometimes
gsis Bit tarnation hard, too. Yes, sir !"
Il tell you it is to be DONE" said Martin !;
I've proved it over and over again. Look at
al those books. They are treatises on the
so'erca Of numbers on the theory Of probabili-
TEE or the doctrine of the certainty of chances.
There is not another collection like it in the
world. When | was comparatively rich
laGn, they were 10y constant study night and
cay o. them, and on the experience of thou
gands Of visits TO the tables, when gambling
houses were permitted by law, established
ny theory, and tested Its accuracy, only new
ef could 60 far enough. But it is to be DONE
i, Is to be done. All want is some one rich
enough to back ne. | will answer for its sue
ee5s lie spoke with all the earnestness of in
Atu2acn, but with wildness of manner that
betrayed a secret remorse, lying deep deep
down In his heart and then preying on the
best AID nOblest impulses of his nature. He
GREW his chair close up to the side Of Grit, and,
passing from paper to paper, explained the
principle according to which he had demon
sEAtsd to has own satisfaction, that if carried
Vu' 10 the end, q man, being possessed of GER
tam sum, might 90 to the gambling table and
Ieahze IN one night an enormous fortune For
me time, his whole soul seemed given ND 10 the
e9oldatlon Of his grand discovery, so as to
ofing 1t down to tie level of Grits understand
ing AT last he came to an end CAT least
Aphdreo ames have been on the point of re-
e'-'ng my hopes" he added; "but lust as the
tf4Ne was IN my grasp, it has been snatched
Etake.D -S -1'io "
he looked at Zachariab, as if for an express
non Of assclt. My 'pinion isn exclaimed
,-s worthy, that money got this yer way
, lever uid nobody much good. If it want for
sie e2xeiFement people wouldn't 90 to the
sa9oAng-tablc1. They begins it for the SEN
5 5s.'On OF the thing Almost and then they gets
4sgsc INTO 1t furder and furder, till there amt
~ @cpplng On 'em, and they can't hold back
MselVes. Have you got any ohipen 2"
!, Itafun's hsggard features turned of ghast-
nue. de hesitated moment, and then
hammered cut "Why1n
e,. because pities 'em if you have, that's q
,r answered Grit. st you haven't it amt
- ~ much account. Have YOUTH
III Tafln gasped out the words. q A daughter"
. mere vas pause, during which Zschariah
tt:-Ieo the papers which Martin had placed in
- hInds over aud over, apparently consider
s "hat ne should say. At length he broke
Look here" he said. "Mister, IEdon't
r SnG" what other name you've got besides Mar
Gall me Martini replied the other; 81
other.D
r., Well then, Mister Martin" resumed Grit
:. won't have hand in this yer speculation
v, cont promise no good for tho conscience.
mnen met you ct the gambling table, seen
You to be one of them dss2'rste veuturers as
fortune likes to kick. don't mean to say Pm
my better than you, come 10 draw the limo
very me, for gamblin' amt virtue, Ok Is how
you Will and it Amt considered no ways re-
spectacle either; that's o fact But when For
0 S1ne kicks some men, they takes it easy
liners falls to frettin an pinin', am drink
n, and at last they takes some uncomfortable