The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-04-30


Mississippi. Ambrose asked you 10 teach
him to play poker, as YOU called it. You
taught him the game, and on ore or two
evenings, you went with him TO some card
parties .......i.
Yes. yes-I remember all that
We'll the spirit of gaming is now fast
ening itself upon him. can see it plain
ly, 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 out of pure friendship for Am
brose. But have not yet dared 10 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, know
his impetuous nature, and fear lie will be
lost ere he is aware of it. Evil compan-
ions are leading him estray. He thinks
them friends. .-..
And do you think he has gone to the
card table tonight
Il am afraid so. And he does oh, |
dare not think of it. He has much mon
ey with him. Before you came, was
weeping over my fears. | have never let
him know how much knew concerning
his course, for | feared it would only make
him more excited. Alas! | know not
what to do. | do not think he has yet
lost much, but know that he will never
leave the fascinating habit until he is ru-
ined unless something can be done to move
him.
BY my soul, Ellen. returned the Cap
tain warmly. Il did teach Ambrose to
play though God knows never meant
to teach him to gamble, and l will cure
him now if | can. Do you think he is at
it now?'
i 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 | 60 and
find him. By my soul, l will saYe lin
if | can.'
But you will come back soon?'
James stopped and thought moment.
Il don't know he said. But don't
you be worried. No harm shall befalI
Ambrose tonight.
1T was just nine o'clock as Ambrose
Dearborn entered one Of the gaming sa
looms Of the city. His business had kept
him later than usual, and having made
some fifteen dollars in trade since dark,
he had determined TO stake that amount
upon the altar of fashion. His wife was
right in her fears. The card table had
gained fascinating 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 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 sideboard and took
a glass Of wine, and as he turned, he met
a stranger, who had seemingly come for
the same purpose.
Good evening" said the stranger, in a
pleasant tone, as be poured out tum-.
bier full of water from pitcher and
drank it.
Ambrose returned the salutation.
Il came to take few moments recrea.
tion at cards. said the stranger, but l
find no friends here.
so did L. answered Ambrose, 'and
my friends are missing
Then suppose We take hand or two,
just to pass away the time until some 9th
ers come
with pleasure, 'said Dearborn.
And accordingly the two sat down and
were soon on the most friendly terms.-
The cards were dsklt aud for a while the
playing was on 4asAl scale. and the
luck was about aE sby Am;
brose -NsSton until
he has won % red dollars. He
aEoNlG 2haye fel5 ashamed somewhat. had |
not lis antagonist maintained such good
huTor. he smiled 50 kindly when he lost
But anon the luck changed. Ambrose
lod all he had won. and soon lost over
hundred dollars besides. He had just
hundred dollars more in his port monrie
aud he took it out. A new hand was
dealt; he cut the cards carefully, and
held up four Jacks. 1t was the best hand
by far that had been out during the game,
it being the first -four of a kind he had
seen during the evening He bet ten dol
lars. His antagonist covered IL, aud
went ten dollars higher.
4 have an excellent hand the strang
er said with light laugh. Il have held
better ones, but this is good; Ill bet high |
on it. ..
Ambrose did not speak. He was ex-
cited.
He was afraid that his antagonist would
mistrust how good his hand was and stop
betting. But the betting went on until
Ambrose had his last fraction of the hun
dred dollars on the table.
Shall | go higher? inquired the stran-
ger.
'As you please
Then l mus say hundred better
By the trump Of trumps you shall have
chance to make pile this time Il.
Ambrose hesitated a moment, and then
he placed his hand in bis bosom and drew
out package Of bank nots,zasS here were
four thousand dollars in 49, Il,