Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-04-11

the wharf, when the two gamblers propos-
ed game that I might make myself whole
When they found I had no money,
they proposed to stake money against my
watch still hoping, again played, losing
my watch. Ny hreastpin. rings. etc..
were disposed Of In the same manner. Be-
coming desperate, I sought my trunk,
where | had package in charge to carry
to my sister. | forced open the casket,
which contained a bracelet, with beauti
full gold chain sent as present by my
mother to her daughter.
81 then discovered an unsealed letter
which contained a hundred dollar bank
note. The letter was from my father to
my sister, directing her to give the money
to me when she should deem it proper to
do SO.
Sc seized upon the note, and soon the
gamblers aeeced ne of that. again re.
sorted to the casket and lost the iewelrv
it contained
desperate in every respect. when I ar
rived at Louisville 7 called at my sisters
house, rang the bell and leaving the pack
age | had robbed on the threshold, hasten
ed on board the boat where the two vii
lains who bad robbed me had taken pas
sage. They appeared glad that I came on
board. and felt confident that | should
be assisted by them. They both left in
that yawl, without even bidding me fare
we'll f; and that sir. was what caused me
to weep." l looked at desperation
painted IN every feature. I was then
hardened gambler. and bad been for eight
years but this tale of surrow made me
feel that if the curse Of heaven ever fell
on wicked men, it would descend and rest
upon the gambler
What did you expect to gain by the
course you have taken?" said why
did you not go to your sister-tell her
freely what You had done, and asked
her forgiveness and protecfior?' "Oh!
sir, " sand be, * can never 90 to her un-
til am able to replace what I have lost
Poor deuded youth thought 7, as I
discovered the slender point en- which his
hopes were suspended. you can never re-
cover the money Or property these gam
blers have swindled from you; far better
if yru could think the same. Where do
YOU expect to GO? " asked. Il don't
know sir, y was his bis reply. Il have no
money-no friends; am here, and what
70 do, know not. Il think. sir said
|, yeu had better return. l will loan
you sufficient money. which you can re-
place when Convenient" You are very
kind Indeed sir; if You feel safe in leaning
me sufficient to carry ME to St. Louis,
accept 1t as a great favor y
| loaned him twenty-f five dollars When
we arrived at the mouth of the Ohio. he
left the boat fo~ another b, und for st. Lou
is In 1S4l was passenger on another
steamer, on her u ward passage from o.
leans to Louisville Not far above the
city we broke a shaft. which caused sever
al hours uelay. | had been ashore and as
[ was returning, a gentleman informed me
that he had just witnessed arcvoltIng sight
"a number of canyicts on the deck af the
steamer under the charge of an officer,
whe vas conveying them to the Baton
Rouge State Prison. | went to look at
them for moment. As I approached l
recognized the face Of the unfortunate
youth. He turned his head, and attempt
ted to evade my notice He had large
irons upon his ankles, and handouts upon
his wrists inquired of the officer what
offence he had committed be said /" for
gerry, and added that ne was under FIVE
years sentence.
In 1915, was lecturing in one of the
principal cities east of the mountains,
where I gave this same incident, mention
ing, as near as I could remember, the
name of the unfortunate youth After my
lecture closed, a young gentleman came
t me asked my address. | gave it, and
on the following day he called with car
riage, and invited me to accompany him.
aoeeded. and we shortly drew up at the
d ,ur of handsome house | entered
parl' richly furnished, where the family
were assembled. consisting of the father,
mother, two sisters. and three brothers,
They were silent; the brother who had
accompanied me addressed ME as fellows:
Sir, you may think this strange vis-
it last night at the lecture, we learned
something of the fate Of the son Of this old
gentleman and lady. We are .he brothers
Of that ruined youth. Five years have
elapsed since be left this house. The
strange deposite of the box could not per-
NIT us to hcpe anything but his rum
Na-r ~, to'I