The Panola star. ([Panola] Panola County, Miss.) 1856-1857, 1856-07-23
PIECES,
(Fro"a Bollou's Pictorial.)
THE CARD TABLE
BY sYLvANUS COBB, JR.

|
and wan, yet she was beautiful. A warn
fire burned III the CRATE, for it was winter
ana the lamp upon the centrc-table wa.
lighted, for it was evening. She sat Tins
tryi'tg to read, when the door vas opened
ana stranger entered. She started III
with fear at thus seeing n strange man en-.
| ter her apartment unbddc!i.
iydia-don't YOU know me?o
The woman started lit the sound of III,
voice, and the b,ood rushed to her brow
and temples. She took step forward
AMI gazcd more sharply into the intruder
face.
"Jamcs:" she mu:murcd, interroga-
lively.
"Ics, my sister. Didn't You know me p,
But, instead of answering in words.
Lydia rushed forward and sank upon the
mans bosom, and there she wcpt for iov.
1t was in truth, her own brother.
" And YOU didn't know mes he said.
with Il smile, after he had taken seat.
" Why no, James. Five wears have al
tered you wonderfully. But then that
beard all over your face makes a good
deal of differencc.''
All The difference in the world. sister.
Two years ago, while my ship lay Mt Can
ton, had my beard all shaved off, and
when came aboard, some Of mv own
mon did not know ME at frst.''
"Thcn wish yBu would shave it off
now, for You look more like bear, than
YOU do like james Barrows."
The brother laughed. and then the con-
vrrsation ran for awhile upon various
/ topics suggested by the return of the loved
| one. James BarrOws was now about 81
years of age, and had been absent from
his native city for five years, during which
time he had been in command of a fine
ship.
"Bv the way," said the brother, at the
end of half an hour, II stopped in New
York on my way here, and | saw Kate
Waldron there. She told me she heard
you say YOU wished your husband had
never known me. DID you ever say such
a thing as that -
I,ydia's eyes filed with trars in a mo-
mcnt, and a deep sob broke from her lips.
Her brother was startled. He moved to
her side, ana put his arm about her neck.
What is it, my sstcr?'' he asked, anx-
iousiv.
Mas, james, will tell you. But
first let me assure YOU that did not mean
exactly what said to Kate. You remcm-
bcr five wears ago, when You used to tell
such stories about gambling scenes on the
Mississippi. Ambrose asked You to teach
him to play poker, as you called it. You
taught him the game, and in one or two
evenings you Went with him to some social
card parties"
eyes, ycs-I remember all that"
"Weil-the spirit of gaihbling is now
fastening itself upon him. | can see it
plainly, though he tries to laugh away my
fears. | know it is so, for have been
told by one who is my friend, and who
told me Udt Of pure friendship for Am
b.osc. But ! have net yet dared to let
him know how sure my information is,
for he WoHld be angry, did he know that
any one had told this to me. Q, know
his inipetuCus nattire, and fear ne Will
be lost ere he is aware of it. Evil COM
paniops are leading him astray. HE thinks
thefn friends"
''And do you think he has gone to the
card-table tonight :"
81 ;inl afraid so. And if lie ddes-O,
I dare not think of it. He has much
monet with him. Before You came was
weeping over my fears. | have never let
him know how much knew concerning his
course, for feared 'twould only make
him more excited. Alas! l know not
what to do. do not think he has yet
lost much, but knsw that he will never
leave the fascinating habit until he is ruined
unless something can be done to move
him.
"By nv soul, Lydia," returned the cap
tain, warmly, 81 did learfi Ambrose to
plav-though God knows | never meant
to teach him to gamble-and will cure
him now if can. Do you think he is at
it now?"
81 think he would have been at home
before this time, if he had not laiieii III
with some of his evil associates"
..Then you rest here while go and hna :,
him. BY my soul, I'll save him il l cam
"But you'll come back soonp
James stopped and thought Tor a mo-
ment. -
81 don't know he said. "But don'
YOU be worried. No harm shall peian
Ambrose tonight"