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

figures in black ink and red. Finally, be
placed before Zaohariah souare sheet Of pa.
pen, on which the marvellous system hs had
invented was exhibited in a tabular form, in O
series OF columns, exhibiting the results Of
ventures made, and what further ventures
would have realized Noshing-so far as accu.
racy o. calculation went--could possibly be
Look he continued, now thoroughly ex
CITED, 1look ct this column Here he laid
his long bony fore finger, which locked like O
skeleeon,s upou one Of the series Of calcula-
tons. This is what ] was aiming at last
night. The stake at this point, you see was
only hundred and sixty dollars, and looked
to realize i've Thousand seven hundred and
sixty"
But you loat,n calculated Zach.
knew | should lose,u answered Martin
81 was proving my theory Twas working up
to that point, and knew I must lose till
reached it. tell you, it is money Ilwant Here
again, at this point the stake is sixteen hun
dred dollars = the certain gain, fftyseven
thousand six hundred. At this point, tho stake
is at the absurd figure Of sixteen dollars the
return assured--mark well--is FIVE hundred
and seventy i
aCan.t you begin small % asked Grit be-
coming Interested.
eyes, yes, always commerce at low
stakes answered the other "That is the
main feature of my system. But you must &c
on to certain point--here it is--in this col
umn. You must make up your mind to lose
| oil You stake, up TO this figure; then, you see
the stake becomes heavier; but then the re.
turn is large, and suf6ces to cover previous
| lossesu
/ bx, -
straight along?n queried Zach, bringing bis
own experience to bear on the subject.
3lt would be perdition. That is how SC
| many thousands Of infatuated, unconsider;na
men are ruined, answered Martin, in strange
but utter obhviousness Of his own infatuation
They double, treble, qaadruple, their stake
| without knowing that they must lose by the
force of the certainty of chances. They play
without principle. Now, my system is, never
| to hazard more than certain sum, regulated
not by the amount of previous losses, but by O
| certain standard of returns which must come
in due course and in q given succession, pro-
yided you can play long enough. But to dc
that, you must have money"
A new light appeared TO have broken upon
Grit. He had often heard of extraordinary
chances at play--nsy, had not unfrequently
witnessed their occurrence; but it was nov
city in his experience to see gaming reduced to
the level Of an exAotscience. His curiosity be-
came excited. He put questions, suggested ad
verse contingencies, propounded new combina-
| tions; but Martin met him at every turn, and
answered him On every point, intent only on
satisfying the doubts Of the inquirer after this
dangerous species CT knowledge. The investi.
getion led them late into the night, and still
| Martins stock Of information did not appear
to be exhausted Whatever impression it pro-
duced upon Zachariah, however, he did not be-
tray it, beyond appearing to take deeper
| interest in the subject.
@Can't say,n he observed, you amt proved
it on paper. IFS as clear as moonlight. Can.
did: tux you for cussed old fool, when
| seen you put down, seemi'ly purpose to lose
| every time. But you've give me a three-year-
old wrinkle tonight, and guess there's pretty
considerable reason and science in your foolish.
ness. ID gave me the yallers, though, to see
you cpared out so clean, thaps a fact. Now,
didn't go by science and picked up jes what
you lost"
ayes; but you have seen the proofs, will
you not join me?" asked Martin, eagerly.
"Pll put my nightcsp ont, answered Zach
"leastways al as if, for | don't wear one.
likes to kip ny head cool, night and day
Guess you aren't in bilin' hurry ~
mo! no Not for day or two; will
wait patiently" replied Martin. "But you
will aid me, will you not?"
al won't say ] will, and WON'T say won't "
answered Zach IF do, it must be bar.
gain atween u.s. must have ny friend served
old boss, mind that, now"
"You shall, you SHALL" gasped Martin. al
will do anything for you and them, if you viii
only assist me-"
DWELL, don't mind considerin' on it," OBJ
served Grit, $50 the sooner you gives me proof
you're in right down airnest, the sooner you're
likely to get me to help you out with these yer
fggers."
"Never fear, never fear,n murmured Mar
tin az will let you know when there is any
real danger"
Zach rose to depart Martin stopped him,
and asked him favor. st was only trifle,
would he?n
you'll go yOnder again tonight if do"
said Grit.
"On my word of honor, no.! I" gasped Martin,
holding out his hand.
Zach thrust the money into the extended
palm-two gold pieces Martin clutched them
eagerly, with many expressions OF thanks, and
then Zach went away.
When he was gone, the old man gathered
up his papers and put them carefully aside-all
save one, which he folded up and thrust into
his pocket. He had placed the gold On the
table. He looked o: it for some time, making
calculations mentally, and setting down the
results on the inside cover of an old book. He
then deposited the two glttering pieces in a
worn leathern purse which he took out of o
drawer, and heaving deep sigh, like grcan,
glided out of the room, and skunk away out OF
the house.
And notwithstanding his word CT honor, he
did 60 "yonder.p
9Sure as DEATH" muttered Zach, who had
lain in wait for him in dark doorway. II
knowed he would but it amt O. no use. He's
all too fur gone, now" So be let him pass.