Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-06-05
From the Home Monthly.
SEVEN UP.

."H From the Home Monthly
SEVEN UP. ...
In = pleasant farm house, one wintry eve.
after supper and . hard day work At thresh.
ing, Samuel Grey rose from his chair with q
sad, weary look, and stood before the drawer
Of an old bureau.
"Samuel, what is thee doing v" said his
mother following him. "Thee is not going
out tonight, when SO tredP" -
"Yes, mother" he replied, taking up with
sigh, q small calico bag, which seemed
we'll filed. - - .. .-a. II.
"Why, that is the mortgage money, Sam
uel; what does thee want with that? 1t is
not due till next spring"
know it, mother; but must have this
money this night" he answered in deter.
mined tone. sa.. .ss.' ..s.
"For what my son? Thee has always
told me everything. We earned tho money
together" " ...
IL know it mother. All these years 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 will tell you the truth,
az I trust have ever done. I do not fear
your blame, rs | have always loved your
praise. This one egregious error has taught
me great lessons already: They say women
can bear trouble better than men,"
Samusrs 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 a mystery.
Last evening you know how late staid
away and l presume you thought was
with Ellen ut the farm; but was not; more
is the pity. went on an errand to the tav.
The bar.room was q blaze of light, and all the
boys there, and ! stepped in to warm. There
were two finely dressed gentlemen from Bos.
ton sitting around the table, calling for the
best Of port wine, and treating the company.
They called me to join SO cordially that
consented, and felt rested with the good and
exhilarating glass. Soon one of the stran-
gers brought out a pack of cards, and played
with Joe Lampson and Jim White. l 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 1
was boy used to have an excellent run Of
luck at cards, and beat everybody; and l
suppose was elated at my reputation; for
when Joe Lampson said, I have won two
hundred dollars was astonished, espec-
tally when the strangers paid it over Is quick
and easy a. they would brush of 6y. I
thought, il dull Joe has won 20 quickly such
. sum, why may not l, who am 50 lucky at
cards? They urged me to take hand, and
the sight of the new bills on the Merchants
Exchange Bank 80 won upon my better un-
derstanding, that drew right up to the table.
/ thought only Of winning never thought
Of losing. We played and won, and played
and lost, and lost. oh mother, I lost all
this money as quick as fash; and they
taunted rne that could not pay but must
the whole village. I know how wrong it
you, you shall never want" Here Sam broke
down and cried like . child.
8 Thee is welcome to take the money,
SAM" said his mother, quietly. II wish
thee would promise never to touch card
again"
Dear mother, solemnly-"
No, Saml no oaths. Remember thee
viii be tempted this very night to try and
win back this very money"
No, have seen too many winks pass be-
tween those two men. They are gamblers,
who have come down to impose upon US
greenhorns in the country. When think
Of how many hard days work l have per.
formed, and how many chickens and eggs
you have raised to sell, all for one good OBJ
ject, and that my cursed folly has ruined oil,
/ am ready to despair
II shall not live long to want money, Sam;
I only thought of thee and Ellen, who is
soon to become thy wife,
Samuel groaned, and left the house with 4
heavy heart. He knew by the twinkling
light across the fields, that Ellen sat watch
ing for bis visit, but he sped on toward the
village, until, stamping the snow from his
shoes, he entered once more the tavern.
Again, in private parlor, he found the COM
panions Of previous night. He went Arm.
" up to the table and deposited the money.
+" 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
sh0ne jewel, toward him. oh, mere
tri6e," be said; time enough by and by"
Sam turned toward the fire, with groan.
Evil thoughts took posssasion Of his mind.
+" Can some men make money thus easily by
the toss Of . card OF the turn Of die and
yet, after Ill my honest labor must | be turn
ed from my humble home, and my happy
prospects broken up for life by two desper-
ate gsmblersi" Fierce passions seemed at
war with him. - the sweet visions Of former
homes passed awav He did MT nntiAa thai