Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1866-08-02
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
RF JAMES REYNOLDS.

ct the year 1919, on their way to tbs pla
GERS on the South, Aliddleand North fork.
OF the American river. was progresses.
ing gentleman by the name of Hardie
Ills only pampanion was his son, lad Of
some fourteen years. but who, notwth.
standing his extreme youth, was sharp,
serewd and intelligent Mr.. Hardie was
Z: what might be called, as the fashionable
PHRASE goes ''reticent man." He had al
one time been wealthy; but his passion fol
gambling had ruined him, He was not a
Z professional. Indeed, he looked with con-
tempt upon all who kept games of chance,
but his personal dislike for such charac-
, tersdid not preventhii from riskius his
money upon the turn of card or the cast
Ut the dies. His son, fully aware of his
fathers only failing, sought by every posi-
pie means to keep him from the table, in
the hope, vain though it was, that the
passion would lose its hold upon him, and
that eventually he would lie thoroughly
weaned from cards. Aa1,la
Hardie landed in Sacrimento with about
one hundred dollars in money. the last Of
i !hlls once ample fortune, and, without an
hours delay, pushed to, the mines which
had Just been discovered to the eastward
OF Colqma, where, twas rumored very
rich veins had been discovered. :
ffrRa Fortunate chance, Hardie and his
son made the acquaintance on the road of
two honest-hearted adventurous sailors,
and they determined to prospect the coun-
try together. - ~ itGO a.
s'pn the fourth day from their leaving
eacrlmento, the little, company entered
guich, which subsequently became ia
NOUS as the Oregon and there sdsceeded
N securmg'a elaihf that AMPLY REPAID the
adventures for their time iaiiddabor,. at
the expiration of four months the company
had EestHed twenty thousand dollars. This
was equally divided, one half being ham
de to Hardle and his son. while the other
mofety' Was retained Ky tIiefia ic6-laborers.
iNhenthe division had been satisfactorily
made, Hardie became suddenly restless
lie fntihcteda desire to return TO sacra-
'mento, there TO engage in some niecbani-
gal pursuit for which his early education
had fitted him; and he offered to sell his
own and his sons interest to the sailors.
:. lpese men were reluctant to part with
him. The lad was also adverse to the
proposition, but, IIardie persisted in his
resolution; and finally disposed of his claim
for twenty five hundred dollars.
on returning to Sacramento, father and
son, as the reader perceives, had the snug
little capitol Of upwards Of twelve thou
sang dollars 70 begin with, He'd Hardie,
as he honestly intended, when he left the
Oregon canon. at ONCE mbarked in trade.
he could have in few months trebled if
not 4uadrupled his capital, and perbaps in
ne course, Of q couple years T. returned to
the Atlantic States with d fortune eu;teg as
large as he was master o6f before the
mama tor gambling came uponlhim. IN
Unfortunately for him however. before
ne had fully arranged his hicfchailfile pro
Jects he renewed his acquaintance with
gentleman, w1io'like, himself; lhhdIbe adj
ilcted TO gambling, apdwas BY, him induc-
ed to visit the Empire Saloon at that
notwithstanding fihell'' Of tha tbwn,. where
faro, monte and other games of chance
were openly pLyed-r-a "hell" where slmi-
Rers after months. of exposure, parl,aps
sickness, and always hard labor would
lose in a single night all they had earned
and'be compelled to- returh to the diggins
with sadaened hearts to win from the
rivers and hills those smiles which fortune
had denied them at the table Of the n gam
blers. 80, .r..,..'...,j '.
It Hardic had barely entered the saloon
when his thirst returned to him; and even
before he was fully conscious of his action.
he found himself seated at q faro table
unfortunately for him, he rose from it the
winner of a thousand dollars.
The passion for gaming once aroused in
the man, and he could no more restrain
himself from indulging in il than broken
down, thirsty topper can keep his lips from
tasting the fiery rotations that stimulates
and paisons. '' sd, n, m = . ...'...
The next night and the next, Hardie
was at the table; now, however, acco,fpa-
MED by his son--who, with tears in his
eyes, stood by the chair in which his father
sat and trembling saw their little capital
passing into the hands of the bankers"
Of the game He, poor boy, had entreat-
ed bis parent not to indulge in the wild in
toxication, to save his money. and, if he
would not engage in legitimate business,
either to return to til, mines or to his
home in the far east. lie might as We'll
have attempted to persuade the hardened
wretches who were swinding his father to
return to the path of reetitude--pf nlopest
dealing. Il
On the third night, Hardie found him
self the owner of about five hundred dol
lars. His thousands had already passed
out of his hands. l'-" 1.1
II will win all baek or lose the remain
der before | rise,"' he muttcrcd, "Toor
George" he added as he glanced at his
son, II ought not, for the boys sake, to
have given away to the bcsetting sin. Blu,
= could not help myself"
The next moment his mind was aborb.
ed in the game, Fortune seemed to be a.
gainst him. In few moments che had
but one hundred dollars left. This The
boldly, placed on the queen, and ca 'mly a.
waited the result. Thus waiting, he lean,
ed the elbow Of his left arm on the chair