The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-02-18
when he contracted an unconquerable

when he contracted an unconquerable
and mysterious passion for the gaming
table, and his own property-farms,
houses, lots, slaves, money, everything
away like snow beneath warm
sun. Then he persuaded nae that he had
reformed, and under the pretext of an
intention to remove into another State,
induced me to sell out. and turn all |
owned from my poor father into cash,
and that has been following the rest, un-
til tonight when he has taken our only
remaining means into yondsr hell, where
it will all be swallowed up before morn,
ing, unless / can gain admission and
prevent il. Asshe said this, she poins.
ed at the old frame house.
aWhat is the name of your husband2'
inquired the stranger. 8
"Major Ryan," she answered; edo you
know Lim9p 49,. s.
81 know him very well by sight, but
have never made his acquaintance by
any personal introduction was the re-
sponse.
''Could you not manage to procure me
an entrance into that gambling denf
she asked in earnest entreaty.
81 fear that it is impossible" was the
candid reply.
aThen my children are heggars, she
bitterly shrieked in her despair. "My
childrenl oh my unfortunate childrenl
Would to God that We we're all together
in the same grave with your little sister,
So heart rendering was her tone, SC
fearful was the agony of her attitude as
she bowed down upon her knees in
speechless prayer, on the frozen ground
that even the stranger could notirepress
his sympathy, and after deliberating in
silence a minute or more, he came to 8
benevolent, yet recklessly bold conelu,
sion.
81 cannot gain for you admission into
that house" he said," but I can do what
is better-I can enter myself, and save
him from the fangs of the villains within,
or perish in the attempt"
I'm the name Of pity, do, she eprayed,
rising to her feet, "and | and my dear
ones will bless you forever"
81 will" he rejoined, "but upon one
ndition-that you Immediately return
home out of this violent tempest, and
stay there patiently, until | bring your
husband, even if that should not be till
morning
aI consent, she exclaimed, in eager,
almost joyous tones. 81 will start this
instant and may God prosper you in youl
holy enterprise" And sssae sR0ke shs
The stranger then passed over to the
old frame building, and gave three low,
distinct knocks on the door, each repeat
ed BY intervals of about half q minnie.
These were promptly answered by two
similar knocks from within. He then
Knocked a fourth time and the door open
ed few inches, when voice from the
room whispered the sign question
What is the timer"
To which he replied, "Ask the queen
,f bearts2"
tWhere is the queen OF hearts,
"In the, left bower Of the great king"
vas the answer, when the shutter few
vide open and he hurried into the house,
md the door was bolted aud closed as be-
ore.
The stranger passed through the first
apartment, which was in state of tota<
darkness and entered the second, whic1,
vas brilliantly Illuminated, and whese
here were two card tables in full opera
ion, with eight or ten busy players at
zach. A quick glance at these showed
lim that the object of his search was not
present. He went into the next, and from
hat to those beyond it, until he had
,ounted twelve, all similar in their ap-
,earance, and having circles of men en-
,aged in the same perilous pastime; but
till he did not find the person whom he
lad come to see and save. He then ap-
,roached dark corner and descended
teep narrow fight Of stairs. Here be
ound three individuals in the act Of sit
ing down toa game of poker, and, to his
,reat delight, he discovered that one of
hem was Major Ryan, although The lat.
er did not know him.
A tall, heavy man, with . shining bald
lead inquired: 4syS @
Stranger, would you like to take a
land?" -
81 haven'tno objection" replied the
ther, in apparent embarrassment, and
fecting the tone and manner Of boat
nan, "that is to say, if t'other fellers
ere are willin."
"Certainly, sir" responded Major Ry-
n with humorous smile. ssss, -.
"Certainly, sir" said a powerful man,
nth dark hairy face and piercing black
yes; certainly, provided you have sufh-.
lent money to play the thing out; for it
] but right to inform you that we bet
cry high, the ante itself being ten dol,
ars, and It's one Of our rules that no
erson shall be permitted to leave the Ia
lie until he is either broken fat. or IN.
ass unanimous consent be given, which |
Or one, am not sure to do"
II guess / have ammunition enough
or good long fight" answered the stran-
er, "because ! have jist sold out my
oat load of corn, and here is the size of
ny pile-enly ten thousand dollars" -
md be threw down on the table large
urse, or rather small bag Of gold and
ank notes. asa I9slaasE
The hairy faced man emitted low,
huckling laugh, indicative of his belief
hat the treasure would soon change