Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1862-01-16
THE GAMBLER S LAST PLEDGE.
By FRED DELoRME.

"1Ir. Willard, if you have few moments
leisure this morning, have something Of great
Importance | wish to communicate"
The speaker, Edward Martin, was man of
marked ability and had been for sometime en-
Willard & Co.
why Edward, exclaimed Mr. Willard, what
is tho matter? You have been weeping
Il have, and not without cause answered
the young man, But am now prepared for
the worst ] cxpcc. to loose your confidence,
perhaps, shall be sent to prison and be forever
disgraced. But | cannot die with this weight
upon my conscience. You have been too
kind =
Mr.. Willard Gxed his gaze upon Edward,
and Tor some time remained silent. At length
he exclaimed
You have not betrayed my confidence sure
cl my Kindness has not been unarprcciatcdT
Yes but, Ohl was mad | must have
been maniac, or never could have robbed
one so good
'Robbedn echoed Mr.. Willard.
Yes cri,d Edward, falling on his knees be-
fore him. But OH pity mel Not for myself,
I would not murmer at the sharpcst torture,
/ ~ NOuIu NIL Hel, SuOuIu SllC ledlH ludL ncT sun
was gambler and thief =
You have become a gambler, you have rob-
bed me, and you ask me for pity 2
Not for myself, but for that mother who like
a guardian angel, watched me in my nfant
years, and as grew to manhood wept, hoped
aud prayed
Edward, indeed your mother is a noble wo.
man, aud ! thought her son equally so. I
would have trusted you with my entire fortune,
nnd 1t grleves me to learn that | have been de-
ceived Have you not always received the ut
most kindness =
Yes and my crime is doub'y great since il!
adds the crime Of ingratitulc.'
why have Jou betrayed my trust ??
1T is the CID story, sir, | was induced to
witt gambling saloon. My first visit wns but
few days since. was persuaded to venture
few dollars, and won, played again, aud
,rill Won When returned to my home,
was richer by several hundred dollars. Visions
Of wealth fitted through my mind But when
my nother prayed that night | wcpt The
gold dll n't bring me happiness. | resolved
never again to visit such place.
You kcpt YOU resolution {?
No | sought the advice cf one that
deemed my friend. lie rdiculcd me for what
he termed my qualnls of conscience, aud advi-
sei ne to continue till had amassed sutli.
cient to establish business for myself Last
night ] met this friend and by persuasion,
was induced to 20 again
You have played but twice? Then your loss
cannot lie heavy!
Il would not consent to play for sometime
but at length my brain became heated with
wine, aud as the picture of atlluencc was most
vivilly drawn-l became mad ! lost the
money had won the previous evening. Urged
on Ivy some friend, ldrcw a cheek for all the
means | possessed, and again lost. had in my
possession two thousand dollars belonging to
the firm, and IN the hops Of winning back my
own, staked this sum and lost madly rushed
: from the place, while at every step voice
seemed ringing in my coTs, gambler and
| thief reached home. Oh, how dark and
dreary it apfeared-that oncc loved home |
could not listen to my mothers voice, but rush
ing to my room, wcpt long and bitterly. At
last | hecane more calm, aud knocling down
promised God would never gamble ogain.'
! why did you confess 2 asked Mr. Will
ard. You might have procured the means to
replace this sum, and KEEP. the secret OF your
guilt
I knew it sir but whout your pardon or
Your punishment, ever should have felt my.
self a criminal | could not look at you. 1t
was the secret Of my crime that stuns the deep
est
What do you propose ? asked Mr.. Willard,
First. | had determined to confess and i'm.
plore your pardon, If in your generous nature,
you will restore me oncs more to your conf
dence, will repay all and before the God Of
Heaven, and by the mother that [ love, | do
most soIemnly promise never again to beray
my trust
You have no desire to gamble again ?
No, no l am sinking in pit, | am sink
ing. Your hand can raise me up-without it |
am lost !!
You would not continue in crime "
'Nop cried Edward, starting to his feet 4
have played my last game If am exposed,
and my mother sinks under the blow, the only
tie binding me to earth will thus be severed,
and nothing will remain for nae but the suicides
grave
Edward, said Mr. Willard you are truly
penient, and | forgive you. Your crime has
been great, but you have my sympathy, and
love. But to guard you from future danger,
you shall hear my story.
"A boy Of sixteen l came TO this great city
I readily procured employment and at the age
of twenty-five held the responsible position
that you now occupy. Bat gay companions
were my ruin First / was induced to join
them in the social glass, and the attendant fol-
lies were soon fastened upon rle. l found my
salary insufficient to supply my eztravagances,
and l entered the gamblers haunt. ] became