, 1863-06-25
Seven-up.


Samuel Grey rose from his chair with Q sad,
weary look; and stood before The drawer Of an
old BUREAU.
hSamuel, what IL thee doingi" asked bis
mother, following him. "Thee is not going out
tonight, when so tiredi"
ayes, mother" he replied, taking up, with .
sigh, q small calico bag; which euied well filled.
"Why, this is the mortgage money, Samuel
what does thee want with that? II Is not due
till Iekt spring"
III know II, mother, but must have this
money this night" be answered in determined
tone.
"FOr what my SOM Thee has always told
me everything. We earned tile money to
gether."
ii know IL mother. All these years we have
toiled to pay of the mortgage len on the farm
at my fathers death, and now II has oil come to
nothing. Sit down in your chair, ltcther, and
will tell YOU the truth, as trust I have etef
done. do not fer your blame, as ] have al.
ways loved your praise. This one egregious er.
ror has taught me great lessons already. They
sly women can bear trouble better than men,"
Samuel's mother trembled very much, but she
sat quietly down. Her face was pleasant to look
at-healthy and fresh, with clean Quaker cap
crimpled abodt Il. She could not believe her
son had done anything so very wrong; but all
was q mystery.
"Last evening you know how late I staid
away, and presume you thought ! was with
Ellen at the farm but was not; more Is the
pity. I went on dn ertand to the tavern to get
some oil for our lame horses leg. The bar-roOm
was blaze Of light, and oil the boys there, and
] stepped in To warm. There were two finely
dressed gentlemen from Boston sitting around
a table, calling for the best Of port wine and
treating the company. They called me to join
- r., tad nil
the good ire and exhilirAting glass. Soon one
Of the strangers brought out pack Of cards,
and played with Joe Lampson and Jim White.
sat and smoked in the corner, and did not
take much notice of the game. They played
for cigars and wine, and then for money, and
the game was seven up Now, when | was
a boy, used 10 hate an excellent run Of luck
at cards, and beat everybody; and ! suppose
was elated with my reputation; for when Joe
Lampson said, i have won two hundred dollars
vas astonished, especially when the strangers
brush OF fy. | thought if dull Joe has won
80 quickly such sum, why may not |, who am
so lucky at cardsp They urged me to take
hand, and the sight Of the new bills on the
Merchants Exchange Bank 40 won upon my
better understanding, that drew right up to
the table. thought only Of winning; | never
thought Of losing. We played and won, and
playtd aud lost, and lost, and lost o, mother,
lost all this money quick as q flash; and they
tauntcd me that could not pay; but | must
pay il, or have my honor lost before the whole
village. know how wrong It was but u hard
work will make Il up to yOu, you shall never
want" Here Sam broke down, and cried like
q child.
"Thee Is welcome to take the money, Sam"
said his mother, quietly. ~ wish thee would
promise never to touch card again"
"DeaF mutheF, | solemnly -"
"No, Saml no oaths. Remember thee will be
tempted this very night 10 try and win back this
"No, have seen too many winks pass be.
tween those two men. They are gamblers who
have COME duwn n irtipose Oh Us 'greenhGrns
in the country. When think how many hard
days work have performed, and how many
chickens and eggs you have raised 10 sell, and
for one good object, and that my cursed folly
has ruined ali, avn ready to despair"
81 shall not live long TO want money, Sam
only thought Of thee and Ellen, who Is SO soon
to become thy wife," Samuel groaned, and leit
the house with heavy heart He knew BY the
twink,ing light across the fields that Ellen sat
watching fOr his visit, but he sped on toward
the village, tiI, stamping the snow from bis
shoes, he entered once more the tavern. Again,
in private parlor, he found the companions Of
the previous night He went firmly up to the
table and deposited his money.
81 have come" he said, In q bold voice. "to
pay you what you won from me last night"
The man merely waved his hand, on which
shone Jewel, toward him. in negligent man
ner, and went on with the game. 80, mere
triHe," he said; " time enough by and by"
San, turned toward the Gre with groan; evil
thoughts took possession oi his mind. "Can
some men make money thus easily by the toss Of
q card or the turn Of die and yet, after all my
honest labor, must be turned from my humble
home, and my happy prospects broken up TOR
life by two desperate gamblers"
Fierce passions seemed ct war within him, as
the sweet visions Of former hopes passed away.
He did not notice that there were mutterings Of
wrath at tho table, as one after another was
feeced in his turn. Cries Of unfair, unfair
play.' were met by contemptuOus sneers from
ihe successful men who pocketed the gains.
Samuel's little roll oi bills still lay upon the
table, and he could not bear 10 leave il there.
| IL soemed sRcfed money. How little my father
tlIoUeht: when he len Ine the Earm with this only
mortaage as an intumbrance, that should
prove 50 recreant to my solemn engagement to
take care Of my dear mother. o, God forgive,
| and spare me, that may do better III the iu-
tire." And at thEt moment softer emotion
sprung up In bis heart. lie felt loathing Tor
sin OF all kinds tnat ne hau not IeN OeiOte, SUI
a determination 10 shun even the smallest devla'
tlCn from dutyi It's rCtrbuticn was 50 dreaci1i;
| This vas a more desirable stand 0f mind and
a humble spirit breathed its blessing over him,
as he rose up and buttOned his thin overcoat
over his breast, again to face the cutting Of the
Miuoy night
About this time O handsome sleigh had driven
up 70 the door Of the tavern. The horses were
aecked with foam, and the frost hung about their
truppinas, showing how swiftly they mad trav'
eled Two strong men leaped from Il, and hastily
entered the house. The host came oeseqnIously
70 the door. fhey drew Iim aside.
ave have tracked two notorious blaekegl
from Boston here, and thinking they might o
making little mischiSf have come down. Indt
cate, Ay, the t0ols where they now are, @
We shall arrest you % IN aceOpPNeei qmcSy !,
i Is.nnrl;9hN - In flr.ea In lhafe" Hammered