Smyrna times., 1858-04-29
Scene in a Gamblers Life.
BY IRENE,


Upon one of the crowded boats that continu-
ally ply up and down the Mississippi, was
family group whose detected appearance attrac-
ted general attention. The wife wore that
melancholy expression of countenance that tells
of life-consuming heart sorrow which lies too
deep to be alleviated by sympathy. Her fea-
lures were sharpened by suherng,and her face
which might once have been fair, had lest its
round proportions, and the thin cheek and sunk
EN-, mournful eye, revealed a tale of uuspoken
grief A young babe slept quietly in her arms.
She looked lovingly upon it; and well she
might for it was very beautiful One little
dimpled hand rested upon the soft cheek, and
the half parted lips aud closely-shut eye.lids
showed how gently it slumbered. Now and
then little girl, sitting close beside her on
low stool, peeped under the light shawl that
half covered the child's face, looking smilngly
up to her mother, aud again nestled closer to
her side, till, as the evening advanced, weari-
ness made her own lids dro0p, and she nodded
herself into as sound a sleep as the little dream
cr in her mothers lap. The father sat nearly
opposite the group, upon an old chest that con-
tanned their all. He looked haggard, pale and
distressed. He had long time sat with his
head bowed upon his hand, in abstract, moody
silence, now and then looking towards his young
10 say, yet dared not utter At length in
quick, harsh tone, in which there was more OF
desperation than unkindness, he said:
Mary, the captain says he shall put US on
slore !"
"What for - was her astonished wondering
reply.
"rve no money, Mary. After brought you
on board, went back to G---'s to try my
luck once more, and the scoundrels won every
dollar. The knavcs they've cheated me II
| could only have time To try my luck again.
I'd soon have shown them | could win as round
y as they"
In giving vent to his excitement, he forgot
for the moment, the consequences which his
gratlhed passion had already brought upon his
helpless family, aud angrily starting up, paced
the narrow space about them with flushed and
scowling face.
Poor Mary had received the tdngs of her
new misfortune with suppressed groan, bui
now her emotion was only visible in the silent
tears that fell thick and fast, while she encr.
clGd her unconscious children more closely in
her arms She remembered the many days
and nights of weary toll she had endured to
gather portion of the little sum that was to
convey them away from the scenes of her SUI.
fering, and with which they were to secure an
humble home farther West. But now all was
gone. The bright antlcipations of a home of
their own, in some quiet spot. bad long been
her strength, and many an hour of sorrow had
been lIghtened with the thought that ore day
they should till their own land, that she should
see the bright grain waving and the prairie
flowers spriDging luxuriantly around their
dwelling; and her heart beat with Joy, as, in
Imagination she saw her children bounding upon
the green sward, and breathing the fresh pure
air, that had thus far been denied them and,
above all, she would see her husband from the
influences that drew him and his hard earnings
to the gaming tables with such magnetic witch
cry, despite all his resolution and promises
But poor Mary's imag ginaton had travelled too
fast, and her happy dreams were all crushed
now. No word of freproach escaped her lips,
though she shuddered as she listened to the
night wind, and thought how soon they should
be without shelter. Her uncomplaining sorrow
touched the heart ofthe gambler, and again he
threw himself down upon the old chest, and
burying his face in his hands, and awaited the
summons he momentarly expected from the
! captain.
There they sat till midnight approached
Quiet had taken the place of the noisy confu-
sion of the evening, as one after another Drop
ped away in slumber. The heavy rumbling
SQUAD of the machinery fell painfully upon the
| nervous ear OF the gambler; as he listened TO
the approach of every FOOTBALL till suddenly the
sound ceased, and only the rushing waters and
the dismal whstling of the wind broke the till
ness Presently the captain, accompanied by
a man bearing lantern, appeared, and ordered
the unwelcome passengers forward. They
arose, and without a word obeyed the summons.
The boat was already lowered, and two men
at the oars awaited orders. Mary prepared to
descend, and placing the babe in her young
daughters arms, with werd Of caution turned
from them, and in moment more was safely
4 seated in the boat. BY the dim light of the
lamp she watched the coming of Anna. with her
4 precious burden, and with anxious fear saw them
lifted to the boats edge. She reached forward
to secure them, but Anna tottcred, ard in mo.
ment was plunged into the rolling waters.
shrill shrek rent the air and rang through The
boat with such wild agony as awOke every
sleeper.
a"My child! Ny Anna!'' cried the frantic
mother, as she gazed Vainly in the dark water,
that had closed over her loved ones.
"Save them save them!" she still shrieked
while she struggled to throw herself after them
though firmly held by one of the oarsmen-
The other plunged into the river, while half
dozen lights Aung broad CLEAN upon the wa
ter, and enables him to discern any object tina
appeared.
! The father peered into the distance with I