The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-03-21
SEVENTH.

OIdhCI VI al OIU OuIC6u'
Samuel, what is thee doing % asked
his mother, following him. "Tbee is not
going out tonight, when so tired 90
Eyes, mother" he replied. taking up
with sigh, a small calico bag, which seem
ed we'll filed.
"Why, that is the mortgage money,
Samuel; what does thee want with that
1t is not due till next spring"
Il know it, mother, but l 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 mon
ey together
Il know it, mother. Ali thsat. gears we
have toiled 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 l will tell you the truth,
as trust have ever done. l do not fear
your blame, as l have always loved your
praise. This one egregious error has taught
me great lessons already. They say 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 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 1 was
with Ellen at the farm; but | was not; more
is the pity / went on an errand to the
tavern to get some oil for our lame horses,
leg. The bar-room was blaze oflight, and
all the boys there, and stepped in to warm.
There were two finely dressed gentlemen
from Boston sitting around the table, calling
for the best of port wine, and treating the
company They called me to join so cor
daily that / consented, and felt rested with
the good fire and exhilarating glass. Soon one
of the strangers brought out pack of cards,
and played with Joe Lampson ana 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 I was a boy, used to have an
excellent run of luck at cards, and beat every
body; and l suppose l was elated with my
reputation for when Joe Lampson said,
L have won two hundred dollars l was
astonshed, especially when the strangers
paid it over as quick and as easy as they
would brush off fly. l thought, if dull
Joe has won so quickly such sum, why
may not l, who am SO lucky at cards
They urged me to take hand, and the sight
of the new bills on the Merchants Ex
change Bank so won upon my better I'M
Outstanding, that I drew right up to the
table, 1 thought only of winning; never
thought of losing We played and won,
and played and lost, and lost, and lost. 0,
mother, lost all this money quick as a
fl ash; and they tainted me that [ could not
pay; but must pay it, or have my honor
lost before the whole village. l know how
wrong it was, but if hard work will make it
up to you, you shall never want" Here
Sam broke down. and cried like child.
"Thee is welcome to take the money,
SAM" said his mother, quietly. 81 wish
thee would promise never to touch a card
again" Dear mother, soemnly -"
''No, Sam no oaths. Remember thee will
be tempted this very night to try and win
back this very money
ono, I have seen too many winks pass
between those two men. They are gam
blers, who have come down to impose upon
US 'greenhorns' in the country. When l
think how many hard days work l have
performed, and how many chickens and eggs
you have raised to sell. all for one good OBJ
ject, and that my cursed folly has ruinedi
all, am ready to despair.
81 shall not live long to want money,
Sam; 1 only thought of thee and Ellen, who
is so soon to become thy wife, Samuel
groaned, and left the house with heavy
heart He knew by the twinkling light
across the fields that Ellen sat watching for
his visit, but lie sped on towards the village, |
till, stamping the snow from his shoes, he
antarad onoa more the tavern
Again, in private parlor, he found the
companions of previous night. He went
firmly up 10 the table and deposited his
money. Il have come" he said, in bold
voice, ''to pay you what you won from me
last night The man merely waved his
hand, on which shone a jewel, toward him,
in negligent manner, and went on with the
game. 20, a mere trifle," he said; ''time
enough by and by"
Sam turned toward the FIRE, with a groan.
Evil thoughts took possession of his mind. /
.:Can some men make money thus easily by /
the toss of a card or the turn of die ? and
yet, after all my honest labor, must l be
turned from my humble home, and my
happy. prospects broken up for life By two
desperate gamblers ?' Fierce passions
seemed at war within him, as the sweet Wis /
ions of former hopes passed away. He did
not notice that there were mutteriugs of
wrath at the table, as one after another was
feeced in his turn. Cries of unfair play
were met by contemptuous sneers from the |
successful men who pocketed the gains.
Samue rs little roll of bills still Law upon |
the table. and he could not bear to leave it |
there. 1t seemed sacred money. "How |
little my father thought, when be left me the |
farm, with only this mortgage as an incum /
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