The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1868-08-13

vine and then returned in better spirits.
But at the next hand he lost five hundred
dollars. His spirits were sad again. But
he resolved to play carefully to win back
what he had lost, and stop.
Rut there is no need of following the
game step by step. The man who held
these cards was not professed gambler,
nor did he gamble at all for his own
amusement. But he had been among
gamblers much, and he could handle cards
$ be pleased. And more still, he could
1andle nervous, excitable man as he
Ieased He kept Ambrose in good hu-
haar, let him have the occasional flashes of
fIii-seand finally, just as the clock struck
eleven, Anlb-oses Dearborn staggered up
from the table penniless All, ailsyas gt,sle.
His four thousand dollars-the sum that
was to have cleared him from debt-the
sum which he had seen steadily growing
beneath his efforts for the last four years
was now swept away.
The young merchant staggered from the
hall; he tried to borrow frst-to borrow
something to commence again to win back
something-but no one would lend. He
made his way to the street, and without
noticing his way, he staggered on. By
and by he came to a narrow alley which
led down to the wharf and sat down upon
an old spar He had been there but a few
moments when he felt hand upon his
shoulder. He looked up, and by the moon
light he could see the dark face of the man
who had ruined him.
why do you sit here in the snow ?"
asked the stranger.
II l.
''Oh, l never wish to see you more from
this time"
''But perhaps I may help you" replied
the other. ''You are young enough to
learn"
''Learn! O, great heavens and have I
not learned this night what never-nev-
er-"
The young man burst into tears, and his
sobs were deep and painful
'Come, come" spoke the stranger,
''stand up and trust me, and [ may help
you"
There was something so kind in the
voice that Ambrose could not resist, and
he rose to his feet.
'sAmbrose Dearborn" spoke the strange
man, II have this evening taken from you
or ar n; hundred dollars, ami i DO
not think you can afford to lose it. Here
we are before God Now promise me,
upon your honor as man. that you never
will stake any amount at hazard again
that never again will you play at any game
of chance for value of anything, and will
restore you every cent of money [ have won
from you tonight"
The young man stood for a moment like
a man in a dream. Then he caught his
companion by the arm.
''You do not trife ~ he said in ahoarSe
whisper"
Give the promise. and see"
Ambrose clasped his hands and turned
his eyes toward heaven, and made an oath
embracing Just the proposition which had
been made him; and when he had done,
his eyes sank to the snow covered earth,
aud he burst into tears. The stranger
took roll from his pocket, and handed it
over.
Here" said he, sis the full sum-every
penny just as l took it from you. And
now let us walk into the city again-my
way is toward Adam street"
$50 is mine" whispered Ambrose as he
clutched the money.
"Ah-then we'll walk together"
"But tell me what this means p the
young man uttered energetically. "Who
are you, sir Z"
Never mind now 1 shall see you again
and then l will explain. But let us be on
our way, for it is cold here"
On the way the stranger kept up such a
rattle of conversation, that Ambrose not
only had no chance to mention the subject
ofthe evenin g's transactions, but blythe time
he had reached his own door, his feelings
had got back into their wonted channel.
II would invite you in" he said but"
"Never mind. Just let me step into the
entry, for / want light for moment "
Of course, Ambrose could not object to
this, and as he opened the door, the stran-
ger followed him in He walked through
the hall, and as he opened the door of the
sitting room, his companion was at his
back.
Ellen sat at her table, and her face was
pale; but she had not been crying, for the
words her brother spoke to her before he
went out were spoken with strange hope.
She arose to her feet, and while her hus-
band was wishing that his companion had
remained in the hall, he was not a little
startled to hear the said individual speak
somewhat jocularly as follows:
"Well, sissy, you see | have brought
him. And we are both of us all right, l
can assure you
For moment the young man was
wonder-struck, but the truth flashed upon
his mind-''Jim Barrows ?" he gasped.
captain Barrows, at your service, sir.
Ha, ha you did not know me- He's just
found out, Ellen"
Ambrose tried to laugh, but he could
not. He struggled for moment with the