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

lie hesltated moment, and then drew hun
dred more and went that over. The stranger
covered the hundred, and event five hundred
oetter-Ambrose covered the FIVE hundred
but he dared bet no more, and he called for his
companions hand The stranger smiled as he
showed it-four queens!
Ambrose uttered deep groan as he folded
bis cards and placed them on the pack.
by my soul, that's hard, my friend; but
better luck next time. Come, I'll deal for you
this time.''
A new hand was dealt and Ambrose won
hundred dollars. Next he won two hundred
more. He went and got another glass of wine,
and returned in better spirits, but at the next
hand he lost five hundred dollars, and his spir-
its sank again. But he resolved to play care
fully, win back whathe had lost, and then stop.
But there is no need of following the game
up step by step. The man who held those cards
was not profesed gambler, nor did he now
play at all for his own amusement But he had
been among gamblers much and he could han
die cards as he pleased, and more still, he could
handle nervous, excitable man as he pleased.
kept Ambrose in good humor, let him have
occasional flashes ofluck, and finally, just as the
clock struck eleven, Ambrose staggered up from
his seat, penness!
All was goH! His four thousand dollars
the sum which he had seen steadily growing
beneath his efforts for the last three or four
years-but was now swept away.
The young merchant staggered from the hall;
he tried to borrow frst-to borrow something
to win back something's no one would lend.
He made his way to the street, and without
noting he staggered on. By-and by, he came
to narrow alley which led down to the water
and he turned to the wharf and sat down upon
an old spar.
He had been there but few moments, when
he felt hand upon his shoulder. He looked
up, by the light of the moon he could see the
dark face of the man who had ruined him.
ssWhy do you sit here in the snow?" inquir-
ed the stranger.
"Leave me!' cried Ambrose bitterly. 40,
l never wish to see you more from this time"
"But perhaps I might help you," replied
the other. ''You are young enough to learn"
'Learn O, great heavens! and have not
learned this night what never, never
"Come, come," said the stranger "stand up
and trust me, | my yet help YOU
There was something SO kind in his voice that
Ambrose could not resist, and he arose to his
feet
"Ambrose Dearborn" spoke the strange
man, 81 have this evening taken from you over
forty-two hundred dollars, and 1 do not think
you can afford to lose it. Here we are before
God. Now promise me on your honor as man,
that you will never stake any amount at hazard
again; that never again will you play at any
game ofchance for any thing and will restore to
you every penny I have won from you tonight -
"4ou do not trifle?' he said in hoarse
whisper. .
'Give me the promse.'
Ambrose clasped his hands, and turning his
eyes towards heaven, he made an oath, en-
bracing just the proposition made to him; after
he had done, his eyes sank to the earth and be
burst into tears. The stranger took a roll from
his pocket, and handed.it over.
Here" said he, ''is the full sam, every pen
ny, just as I took it from you. And now let
us walk up into the city again, My way is to-
wards Adam street,
80 is mine," whispered Ambrose, as he
clutched the money.
''Ah, then We'll walk together''
''But tell me what this MEANS" the young
man uttered energetically. ''Who are you?"
"Never mind now; l shall see you again,
and then I will explain. But let us be on our
way for it is cold here.''
On the way the stranger kept up such a rat
lie of conversation, that Ambrose not only had
no chance to mention the subject of the even
ng's transaction, but by the time he had reach
ed his own door, his feelings had got back into
heir wonted channel.
Il would invite you in,'' he said, 'but--''
"Never mind. just let me step into the en-
try, for | want light moment"
Ofcourse Ambrose could not object to this,
and as he opened the door the stranger follow
ed him in. He walked through the hall, and
as he opened the door of the sitting room, his
was at bis back.
Ellen satat her table, and her fsce was pale,
out she had not been crying, for the words her
brother had spoken to her before he went out
lad inspired her with strange hope She
'ose to her feet, and while her husband was
wishing that his companion had remained in the
1all he was not a little startled to hear the said
Individual speak somewhat jocularly as follows:
"Well, sissy, you see l have brought him,
ind we are both ofus alright, I can assure you"
For moment the young man was thunder
struck, but the truth quickly flashed upon his
mind.
''Jm-Jim Barrows,' he gasped.
Captain Barrows, at your service, sir. Ha,
Ia, ha; you did not know me. He's just found
ne out Ellen"
Ambrose tried to laugh, he could noe He
truggled for moment with the feelings that
yelled up ia his bosom, and then, sinking down
nto chair, he burst into tears.
His wife uttered a quick cry, and started
onward.
Don't be afraid" grasped Ambrose, "I'm
but cant he lp this. Tell her, Jim
ell her ALL Tell her all now, for she's right
0 know"
The stout captain drew his sister upon his
nee, and then related to her all that had hap
ened since he had left her.
teAh, AM" he concluded, ."the moment
aw you take the second hundred dollars from
our port-monnoe, knew gaming would soon
uin you, and when | saw you draw the pack
&c, only knew I should take them, every
ne, from you, and that any experienced card
layer could have done. the same. Now, |
aught you your first lesson in poker; this is
esson number two. Ihope it may work WELL"