The Nevada journal., 1855-02-16
A Gamblers Fate.


certain young squire, owning large estates
in one of the widest districts of York
shire, was compelled to visit London on
business. He very soon found that there
were other pleasures in the world than
those of hunting foxes, drinking claret,
following the hounds and swearing at the
grooms; and with avidity he rushed into
all the dissipation of the great city. He
contrived, in time, to polish his behavior,
and to appear in the character of " a
man about town" " with some success
His extensive means became familiar to
those who had none of their own and as
he was free enough in spending his mo-
ney, and was not very particular in his
company, he was quickly surrounded by
all those who lived by their wits of the
circle in which he visited With such his
career was rapidly determined. Into the
terrible vice of gaming he threw himself
with recklessness Mortgage after mort
gage was given on his estate but as this
was entailed, it was necessary that he
should also insure his life, which was ac-
cordingly done.
In the midst of his wild career there
seemed chance for his escape. 1t may
be supposed that many women fixed their
eyes upon the rich and handsome squire
as most desirable match but they did
not meet with response. At last the
hour and the woman came, and the York
shireman fell desperately in love with a
young lady of singular beauty. To fall
in love was to propose to propose was
in this case to be accepted, and the mar
riage took place.
Immediately after this event they left
the metropolis..the squire's income be-
ing much reduced by his liabilities-for
his country house, dreaming probably
sweet dreams Of the future, and building
castles in the air, of which moderation
and amendment were the foundation. For
period he kept them. A son, heir to
the entail, was born to him, and soon af-
ter this he again made his way to London.
Once more within the vortex of pleas
ure, his good resolutions failed him, and
he was led to the same pursuits He
gambled, he betted, he hazarded he for
got his wife, his child, and his home. At
last, one fine morning, after deep de-
bauch with some of his vicious companions,
he arose ruined man. He had lost
more than his whole life would redeem,
the only security of the winners being his
annuity bonds On the estate, and his var
ious life assurances should he die. AT
the same time he was aroused to sense
of the deep wrongs he had suffered; he
saw that he had been the dupe of sharp
ers. Almost mad, burning with consum-
ing fire, he determined to be revcnged.
Another night he was resolved to try
his luck, and, by playing more desperate
ly than ever, win back, if possible, the
money he had lost, and then forswear the
dangerous vice. With resolve to out
wit them in life or death, he met the
gamesters. He had hitherto arranged all
the losses he had sustained, and his op-
ponents were prepared to humor him.
The doors were closed, the shutters were
down to exclude light, refreshments were
placed in an ante-chamber, and for thirty
six hours the last game was played. The
result may be guessed. Exhausted ma
ture completed the scene, and the loser
retired to his hotel.
He was ruined, wretched, reckless
He knew that if he lived it would be
existence for himself and his
wife, and he was aware also that if he died
by his own hand, not only would his fam
lily be placed in better position than if
he lived, but that the men who had
wronged him would be outwitted, as the
policies on his life would be forfeited, and
his bonds become waste paper.
His mind soon became resolved. He
evinced to the people of the house no
symptoms of arrangement but inform
ing them that he should visit the theatre
that night, and 60 to bed early, as he had
been rather dissipatcd lately, He paid the
bill he had incurred, giving at the same
time gratuities to the servants He then
wrote letter to one of the persons with
whom his life had been assured, stating
that as existence was now Of no value to
him, he intended to destroy himself; that
he was perfectly calm and sane; that he
did it for the express purpose of Furnishing
those who had contrived to ruin him and,
as the policy would be void by this act,
he charged him to let his suicide be
known to all with whom his life had been
assured
In the evening he walked to the Thames,
where he took wherry, with a waterman
to row him; and when they were in the
middle of the river, plunged suddenly in
to the water to rise no more.
The underwater who had received the
letter communicated it to the other insur-
ers and when claim was made by the
gamblers, they discovered that they had
been duped by the Yorkshire squire, al
though at the fearful price of self-murder.
COURAGE IN A WoMAN.-When at the
seige of Rouen, in 1862, Catherine de
Medicis exposed herself like common
soldier to the cannonading of the town,
and was reproyed by the Duke of Guise