The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-29
The Gard Table

sPohulhg. one Wtts now over twenty-slX ant
though her face was pale and wan, yet she wa
beautiful. a warla fire burned in the CRATE
for i was winter, and the lamp upon the centre
table was lighted, .or it was evening. She sa
thus, trying to read, when the door opened
and stranger entered She started up witt
fear at thus seeing, strange man enter he]
apartment unbidden
ssEllen--don't ypu know me?'' z F*
The woman staraed at the sound Of the voice
and the blood rushed to her brow and temple
She took a step forward and gazed more sharply
into the ntruder's lace.
james, she mnrmured, interrogatively.
eyes, my sister; Didn't you know me?''
/ But, instead Of answering in words, Eller
rushed forward and sank upon the mans bo
som, and there webt for joy. 1t was her OWE
| brother
'tAnd yon didn'I know me?'' lie said with a
smile, after taking "a seat
"Why,, no James Five years have altered
your face makes good deal of difference"
call the difference in the world, sister, Two
years ago, while ny ship lay at Canton, l had
my beard all shavdd off, and when | came on
board, some ofmy MEN did not know me at frst.''
'eThen I wish you'd shaved it off now, for
you look more like bear than you do like
James Barrows."
4 The brother laughed, and then the conversa-
ton ran for awhile upon various topics suggest
ed by the'return Of the loved one James Bar
rows was now thirty two years of age, and had
been absent from bis native city for We years,
during which time he had commanded a fine
ship.
'sBy the way" said the brother, at the end
of half ar hour, 81 stopped in New York, on
my way here, and / saw Kate Wadron there.
She told me she heard you say you wished your
husband had never known me. Did you ever
say such thing as that?''
Ellen's eyes filled with tears in moment,
anda deep sob broke from her lips. Her brother
was startled. He moved to her side and put
his arm around her neck
"What is it, my sister," he asked, anxiously.
tAlas, James, will tell you. But first let
me tell you that did not mean exactly what
said to Kate. You remember five years ago,
when you used to tell me such stories about
gambling on the Mississippi Ambrossasked
you to teach him to play |'poker," as you call
ed it. You taught him the game, and one or
two evenings you went with him to some social
card parties
Eyes, yes--I remember all that
"Well, the spirit of gaming is now fastening
itself upon him. ! can see it plainly, though
he tries to laugh away my fears l know it is
So for have been told by one who is my friend,
and who told me our Of pure friendship for Am
brose. But have not yet dared to let him
know how sure my information is, for he would
be angry did he know any one had told me this.
Oh, | know his impetuous nature, and I fear
he will be lost ere be is aware oft. Evil COM
panons are leading him astray. He thinks
them friends.'
"And do you think he has gone to the card
table tonight"
II am afraid SO. And if he does-oh, dare
not think Of it, He has much money with him
Before you came, was weeping over my fears.
! have never let hirn know how much I knew
concerning his course, for l feard 'twould only
make him more excited Alas, l know not
what to do do not think he has yet lost much,
but [ know that he will never leave the fasci-
mating habit until he is ruined, unless some
thing can be done to move him.
"By my soul, Ellen" returned the captain,
warmly, Il did learn him to play-though,
God knows, nevermeantt to teach him to gam
Bile; and | Twill cure him now if can. Do you
think he is at it now?'' 1
Il think be would have been at home before
this time, if he had not fallen in with some of
his evil associates"
.'Then You rest here while I 90 and find him.
By my soul, will save him if T CAM
"But you'll come back soon''
James stopped and thought for a moment
Il don't know he said, "but don't you be
NJ Il. III I'll
night
was just nine o'clock when Ambrose Dear
born entered one of the gaming saloons of the
city. His business had kept him later than usual,
and since having made some fifteen dollars since
dark, he had determined to stake that amount
upon the altar of fortune. His wife was right
in her fears. The card table had gained fasci
mating power over him, and he had lost some
heavy sums. But on the previous evening he
had been cursed with turn of winning luck,
and won back nearly as much as he had lost,
and he was now on his way to continue his luck
He meant only to play an hour or so and then
60 home. He went up to the sdeboard and
took glass Of wine, and as he turned he met
a stranger who had seemingly come in for the
same purpose.
"Good evening" said the stranger, in plea
SAINT voice; as be poured out tumbler full of
water from the pitcher and drank it.
Ambrose returned the salutation.
Il came in to take few moments recrea-
ion at cards. said the stranger, ''but find
40 friends here"
: $50 did y answered Ambrose, "and my
friends are misling.
"Then supplse we take a hand or two, just
% pass away tile time until some others come'
with pleasure" said Dearborn. q
And accordingly they sat down, and were
soon on the most friendly terms. The cards
we're dealt and for while the game was on
small scale, and the luck was about even BY
and-by Ambrose began TO win, and he went on
Until he had won over hundred dollars. He
would have felt ashamed, somewhat, had not his
maintained such good humor, and
mied SO kindly when he lost. - -
But anon luck changed. Ambrose lost all
le had won and he soon lost over hundred
ollars besides He had just hundred dollars
nore in his rt-monnoie, and took it out. A
lew hand was dealt; he cut the cards carefully,
nd held up four jacks. Twas the best hand