Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-08-15
q Gbrilliua G5torp.
L NE GARD TAB u 20
BY SylUanus CoJJ, J.

"hu uCSp"HuIuS' pHc WAS uOb OVCr IWcH'
ty-six, and though her face was pale and
wan, yet she was beautiful. A warm fire
burned III the CRATE, for it was winter, and
the lamp upon the centre table was lighted,
for ii was evening. She sat thus, trying to .
read, when the door was opened and
stranger entered. She started up with
fear at thus seeing a strange man enter
her apartment unbiddep.
Ellen, don't you know me ~
The woman started at the sound of the
voice, and the blood rushed 10 her brow
and temples. She took step forward
and gazcd more sharply into the intruder's
face.
"James!" she murmurcd interrogativc-
ly.
Yes, my sister. Didn't you know
mcl"
But instead of answ wering in words Ellen
rushed forward and sank upon the mans
bosom, and there she wept for joy. 1t
was her own brother.
"And didn't you know me?" he said
with a smile after he had taken seat.
"Why, no, James. Five years altered
you wonderfully. But then that beard all
over your face makes good deal Of DIFF
ference"
"All the difference in the world. Two
years ago while my ship lay at Canton, l
had my beard all shaved off, when l came
on board, some of my men did not know
me at first"
"Then wish you'd shave it off now,
for you look more like lear than you do
like lanes Barrows"
The brother laughcd and the conversa-
ton ran for awhile upon various topics
suggested by the return of the loved one
james Barrows was now thrty-two years
of age, and had been absent from his ma
tive city for five years, during which lime
he had commanded a fine ship.
"By the way" said the brother, at the
end of half an hour, I" stopped in New
York on my way here, aud saw Kate
W'ldron there. She told me she heard
you say you wished your husband had
never known me. Did you ever say such
a thing as tliat?'
Ellcn's eyes filled with tears in a mo.
ment, and a deep sob broke from her lips.
her side and put his arms around her
neck.
"What is it, my sister," he asked
anxiously.
"Alts, James, will t. Il you. But first
let me assure you that | did not mean
exactly what | said to Kate You re-
member 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 one or two
evenings you went with him to some card
parties"
Yes, yes, remember all that"
" Well the spirit of gaming is now fas-
tening itself upon him. can sec it plain
ly, rhough he tries to laugh away all my
fears. know it is so, for | haye been
, told by one who is my friend, and who
9 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 eny one had
told this to me. o, know his impetuous
nature, and fear he will be lost ere he is
aware of it. Evil companions are leading
him as;ray. He thinks them friends"
"And do you think he has gone to the
card table to night ~
; 81 am afraid so. And if he does-oh
= I dare not think of it, He has much money
!, with him. Before you came I was weep
:, ing over my fears. have never let hin
know how much | know concerning hi!
:, course, for feared it would only max,
him more excited. Alas, know not wha
+ to do 1 do not think he has yet los
g ,,,pph b,,E 7 lynp,p hot L. l.
the fascinating habit until he is ruined
unless something can be done to NOV
him"
"By my soul, Ellen" returned the cap
l. tain warmly, 81 did teach Ambrose to pla,
It though God knows, | never meant t.
y teach him to gamble, and ] will cure i
!. now if l can. Do you think he is at i
now p
81 think he would have been nj hom
y before this time, if he had not fallen il
l. with some of his evil associates"
, "Then you rest here while go and finc
q him if | can"
But will you come back soon?"
James stopped and thought moment.
IS ~ don't Know" he said. "But dom
l. be worried. No harm shall bofall Ambros
or myself
at was just nine o'clock as Ambros
Dearborn entered one of the gaming sa
Ie looms of the city. His business had kcp
l. him later than usual, and having mad
}. some fifteen dollars in the trade since dark
II he had determined to stake that amount
upon the altar of fortune. His wife wa
- =, right in her fears. The card table haC
Ut gained fascinating power over him, anc
8, he had lost some heavy sums. But on tn
i previous evening he had been cursed wit
,r turn of winning luck, aud won bacI
- poarly as much as he had lost, and he wa
~ on his way to continue his luck
es lie meant only to play an hour or SC