Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-08-17

himself from indulging in it than a
broken down thirsty topper can keep
his lips from tasting the fiery potation
that stimulates and poisons.
The next night and thenext, Hardie
was at the table; now, however, ac-
eompanied by his son, who, with tears
in his eyes, stood by the chair on which
his father sat, and trembling saw their
little capital pass into the hands of
the bankers Of the game. I'd ai;
He, poor boy, had entreated his pa
rent not to indulge in the wild intoxi-
cation, to save his money, and, if he
would not engage in the legitimate
business, either to return to the mines
or his home in the far off East. He
might as well have attempted to pur-
suade the hardened wretches who
were swindling his father, to return
to the path of rectitude-of honest
dealing.
On the third night Hardie found
himself the owner Of about five hun
dred dollars. His thousands had al
ready passed out Of his hands. '
II will win all back or lose the re-
mainder before rise" he muttered.
"Poor George" he added as he glanc-
ed at his son. 81 ought not, for the
boys sake, to have given away to my
besetting sin. But | could not help
myself" "
The next moment his mind was
absorbed in the game. Fortune seem
ed 20 be against him. In a few mo-
ments he had but one hundred dollars
left. This he boldly placed on the
queen and calmly awaited the result.
Thus waiting, he leaned his elbow of
his left arm Oil the arm chair, and
while fresh pack of cards was being
shuffied, hid his face in the open palm
ofhand.
A number of spectators were at
the table, but none had ventured SO
heavily as Hardie, and they took their
losses or their winnings with some de.
gree of equanimity.
A few seconds Of silence followed
the placing of the "deck" in the faro
box, and then amid the silence might
be heard the noise of the cards as they
were drawn therefrom and dropped
on their separate piles.
"Lost," said the dealer, in a low
smooth, mOnotOnOus tone, and ere the
sound of the voice had died away. al
the table were either paid or swept tt
the other side of the banker. "Th'
queen wins" he added, i'll the sam,
Indifferent tone.
But before the announcement 9Th
queen wins, had been made, the sol
observed that his father body slight
ly quivered as with emotion, and the
remained passive as before. Yes
Hardie had won. Fortune had a
length smiled upon him. His bet ha
been added to by the bankers; but h
did not attempt to remove it. Wa
he about to try his luck a second time
: Yes He made no negative move
/ ment.
Again the cards were dealt frol
: the box, and again Hardie's forum
was in the ascendant. But to tn
surprise of the bankers and spectator
E he permitted his winnings to renal
: on the fortunate card.
"The mans either asleep drunk c
a fool" whispered a looker-on, just {
: the winning card turned up for I'll
: eighth time, "or he wouldn't risk 5
: much.
"Father, father, whispered the DO
n as he saw with nervous excitemel
r the wealth which was at each minui
+ increasing on his parents side, at I'll
d same time dreading with those arouu
= It's sudden loss.
! Again, and for the last time, tt
/, queen turned up, and, to the utt'
d amazement of the spectators, on Il
J. side of the better.
2, For nine successive deals the que,
= turned up favorable to the better.
o was extraordinary Arrange t
le pack as the dealer might, an eXpe
V at the game, the card at each dist
r button, on which Hardie had plac,
st his last hundred dollars, would tu
e. up in his favor! The hundreds hi
N rapidly increased to thousand Of d.
/; lars. At length, so exceedingly hea
n. had the bets become, the entire CO
Dr. pany in the saloon gathered aroul
the table and wondered at the TEN,
~ ity of the man who dared so much
"A for, as all knew, one adverse card a
of the bank would have III its possessi
h the enormous pile OF gold that no
d like huge pyramid, gittered oy
20 and completely obscured the que,
in For moment the bankers a
4. dealers consulted together, and th
ba the latter said, in calm but not
I'd together steady voice:
y. ''The bank will receive no bets
or night. 1t is closed
ne The announcement that the ba
had been broken seemed to rele;
.r the tongues of the spectators, who
,r. stantly set up cheer at the unwo
,c- ed event. 9 -es8aer
ke ss "Father, father" cried the lad, ''
H. bank is broken! Ali this is you
eli Come, ~ Cu t3s o5 s 3 5o1 81
he There was no movement. 1
70, A stranger took hold of the hs
les Hardie had placed on the table, a
"a with an oath declared that he belize
of the man was stupidity drunk and die
al known what he was about. AS
an- attempted to remove the hand he s
aldenIy started back, and before
to could open his lips to express his {
led prise, Hardie's head fell heavily
ills ward and struck the table. b
led A slight examination told the t
q kiETbn3 voo,. no mhlar vuo Sa.1n IL fF