Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-07-16
Shirt MisceIlunq
THE CARD TABLE. !.
BIZ sYLvANUs COBB, JR.

Ellen Dearborn sat alone in her little
sitting room, and her countenance was
sad and desponding. She was not over
26, and though her face was pale wan,
yet she was beautiful. A warm fire bur
ned in the CRATE, for it was winter, and
the lamp upon the center table was ligh-
ted, for it was evening. She sat thus,
trying to read, when the door was open
ed and a stranger entered. She started
up with fear at thus seeing strange man
enter her apartment unbidden.
? = s'Ellen, don't you know me?'
The woman started at the sound of the
voice, and the blood rushed to her brow
and the temples. She took step for
ward and gazed more sharply into the in
truders face.
James p" she murmured interroga-
lively.
YES, my sister, Didn't you know
me 2"
But instead ofanswering in words, Ell
len rushed forward and sank upon the
mans bosom, and there she wept forjoy.
1t Was her own brother.
'sAnd you didn't know me?' he said
with-a smile, after he had taken a seat.
HWhy, no, j James. Five years altered
you WONDERFULLY. Bat then that beard
all over your face makes good deal of
difference
s'All the difference in the world. Two
years ago, while my ship lay at Canton,
had my beard all shaved OFF, and when l
came aboard some of my own men did
not know me at first"
+Then wish you'd shave it off now
for you look more like bear than you
do like James Barrows."
sation ran for while upon the various
topics suggested by the return Of the
loved one. James Barrows was not
thirty two years of age, and had been
absent from his native city for five years,
during which time he had commanded a
fnc ship.
"By the way" said the brother, at the
end of half an hour. Il 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 you. Did you ever say
such thing as that?'
Ellen's eyes filed with tears in a mo-
ment and a 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. "Alas, James, l will tell
you. But first let me assure you. that I
did not mean exactly what 1 said to
Kate. You remember five years ago,
when you used to tell me such stories
about gambling on the Mississippi
Ambrose asked you to teach him to play
poker, as you called it. You taught
him the game, and on one or two even
ings, you went with him to some card
parties"
"Yes, yes-I remember all that"
"Well the spirit of gamingIis now fas-
tening itself upon him. 1 can see it
plainly, though he tries to laugh away
my fears. / know it is so, for l have
been told by one who is my friend, and
who told me out of pure friendship for
Ambrose. But have not yet dared to
let him know how sure my information
Is, for he would be angry, did he know
that any one had told this to me. o, I
know his impetuous nature, and l fear
he will be lost ere he is aware of it
Evil companions are leading him es-
tray. He thinks them friends.
''And do you think he has gone to
the card table tonight p
I am afraid so. And if he does-oh,
/ dare not think of it. He has much
money with him. Before you came, 1
was weeping over my fears. 1 have
never let him know how much knew
concerning his course, for l feared it
would only make him more excited,
Alas 1 know not what to do. 1 do not
think he has yet lost much, but l know
that he will never leave the facinating
habit until he is ruined unless some
thing can be done to move him."
by my aoul, Ellen" returned the