The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1863-05-28
SEVEN UP.

In pleasant farm hostsc one wintry
: eve, after supper and hard days work
at treshing, Samuel Grey rose from
his chair with q sad, weary look, and
stood before the drawer of an old
bureau. - 8
samuel, what is thee doing said
his mother following him. "Thce is no,
going out to night, whe,, so tired %
Eyes mothel," he replied, taking ur
with sigh, small calico bag, which
seemed well filled.
"Why, that is the mortgage money,
Samuel; what does thee want with ,ha,
1t is not due till next SPRING
4 II know it, mother; but must have
this money this night" he answered in
a determined tone.
"For what, my son? Thee has always
told me everything. We earned the
money together"
! II know it, mother. All these years
we have toilcd to pay off that mortgage
left On the farm at my fathers death,
and now it has all come to nothing.
Sit down in your chair, mother, and
will tell you the truth, as / trust have
ever done. do not fear your blame,
~ ! have always loved yonr praise.
This one egregious error has taught me
great lessons already. They say women
can bear trouble better than men,"
Samue's mother trcmbled very much
bnt she sat qnictly down. Her face
was pleasant to look at-hea,hv AMI
fresh, with a clean Qnake' cap crimped
about it. She could not believe her son
had done anything SO very wrong; but
all was mystery.
Last evening you know how late |
staid away; and presume you thought
| was with Ellen at the farm; but was
not more is the spity. I went on an
errand 10 the tavern to get some OF, for
our lame horses leg. The barroom
was blaze of light. and all the bows
there, and stepped in to warm. There
were two finely dressed gentlemen from
Boston sitting around the table, calling
for The best Of port vine, ard treating
the company. They called me to join
50 cordially that | consented, and felt
rested with the good and exhilerating
glass. Soon one of the strangers brought
out pack Of cards, and played with
Joe I.ampson and Jim White. | sat
and smoked in the corner, and did not
take much notice of the game. The,
played tor cigars and wine, and then for
money, and the game was "Seven Up"
Now, when l was a boy | used to have
All excellent run Of lack at cards and
beat everybody !; and suppose l was
clated at my reputation; for when Joe
Lampson sail, i have won two hundred
dollars | was astonished, especially
when the strangers paid it over as quick
and easy as they would brush fy. l
thought, If dull Joe has won 50 quickly
such sum, why may not I, who am so
lucky at cards: They urged me to take
a hand, and the sight of the new bills
on the Merchants Exchange Bank SO
won upon my better understanding,
that l drew right up to the table,
thought only of winning; never
thought Of losing. We played and
played and lost. Oh mother lost all
this money as quick as . flash; and
they taanted me that / could not pay
bn, | must pay it, or have my honor
lost before the whole village. know
how wrong it was, but II hard work will
make it up to you, you shall never want.
Hclc Sam broke down and cried like
chile.
"Thee is welcome to take the money
SAM" said his m 'ther quietly. II
wish thee would promise never to touch
q card again"
"Dear mother, solemuly-"
''No, Sam! no oaths. Remember
thee will be tempted this very night to
try and win back this very money"
mo, l have seen too many winks
pass between those two men. They are
gamblers, who have come down to i'm
pose on us sgrcenhorns' in the country.
When I think Of how many hard days
work | have performed. and how many
chickens and eggs you have raised to
sell, all for one good object and .hat my
cursed folly has ruined all, ! am ready
to despair"
Il shall not live long to want money,
Sam; Ionly thought Of thee and Ellen,
who is soon to become thy wife,"
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