The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-04-30
folded his cards and placed them on the

Dy my soul, mats lard, my irIend.
But better luck next time. Come, III
deal for you this time
A new hand was dealt, and this time
Ambrose won hundred dollars. He be
gan to revive. Next he won two hun
dred more. He went and got another
glass Of wine and then returned in better
spirits But at the next hand he lost five
hundred dollars. His spirits were sad
again. But he resolved to play carefully
and win back what lie had lost and stop
But there is no need of following the
game step by step. The man who held
those cards was not professed gambler,
nor did he now gamble at all for his own
amusement. But he had been among
gamblers much, and he could handle cards
as he pleased. And more sill, he could
handle a nervous, excitable man as he
pleased. He kept Ambrose in good hu
NOR, let him have the occasional flashes
ofluck and finally. just as the clock struck
eleven Ambrose Dearborn staggered up
from the table pennless! AL all was
gone! His four thousand dollars the
sum that was to have cleared him Of debt,
the sum which he had seen steadily grow.
ing beneath his efforts for the last four
years-was now swept away.
The young merchant staggered from
the hall, he tried to borrow 6rst-to com
mence again to win back something-but
no one would lend lie made his way 20
the street, and without noticing his way,
he staggered on. By-and bye he came
to narrow alley which led down TO the
water, and he turned to- the wharf, and
sat down upon an old spar. lie had been
there but few moments, when he felt a
hand upon his shoulder. He looked up
and by the moonlight he could see the
dark face Of the man who had ruined him.
why do you sit here in the snow?' ask
ed the stranger.
Leave me! cried Ambrose, BITTERLY
0, | neve wish TO see you more from this
lime'
But perhaps l may help you replied
the other. You are young enough to
learn
'Learni o great heavens and have l
not learned this night what never-nev-
Ell
The young man burst into tears, and
his sobs were deep and painful.
Come, come, spoke the stranger, stand
up and trust me, and may help you
There was something so kind in the
voice that Ambrose could not resist, and
he arose TO his feet.
Ambrose Dearborn! spoke the strange
man. i have this evening taken from
you over forty-two hundred dollars, and |
do not think you can afford TO loose it,
Here we are before God. Now promise
me upon your honor as a man, that you
never will stake any amount at hazard
again--that never again will you play at
any game Of chance for value Of anything.
and | will restore you every penny have
won from you to night
The young man stood for moment
like a man in dream. Then he caught
his companion by the am.
You do not trihe!' he said in hoarse
Whisper.
Give me the promise, and see.
Ambrose clasped his hands and turning
his eyes towards heaven he made an oath
embracing just the proposition which had
been made TO him and when he had done
his eyes sank 10 the snow covered earth,
and he burst into tears. The stranger
took a roll from his pocket and handed it
over. m
Here said he is the full sum-every
penny just as took itfrom YOU And
now let us walk up into the ciN& din--
ay way is toward Adam street. n
So is mine,' whispered Ambrose as ho
elutched the money
'AaAh-then we'll walk togetlfIex.
But tell me what tllia meansh the
Young man uttered eneraeiicalIy. sWho
are you sirP
Never mind now; | shalfsss you again
and then | will explain. Bstletus be on
our way. 70 it is cold here. /.
On the way, the stranger keptup such
a rattle OF conversation, that Ambrose not
only had no chance to mention the sub
ject of the evenings transaction, but by
the time he had reached his own door his
feelings had got back into their vcn!ed
channel.
i would invite you in, he said, butt
Never mind. Just let me step into
the entry, for want light a moment.
OF course, Ambrose could not object
to this, and as he opened the door, the
stranger followed him in. lie walked
the hall, and as he opened the
door Of the siuing-room, his companion
was at his back
El EN- sat al her table, and her face was
pale, but she had not been crying, for the
words her brother had spoken to her,
before he went out, had given to her
strange hope. She-arose to her feet and
while her husband was wishing that his
had remained in the hall; he
was not little startled 70 hear the said
speak somewhat joculary asL
follows: ss -
We'll, sissy you see hage1
= And We are both Of us all
Essure you
moment the young man was
but the irlthguictIy assSs55