Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-03-07
he streets after midnight. In trnth l

the streets after midnight. In truth
 am nearly maddened with misfortune of the past and apprehensions for tn, future. 1 am married, and the mother of three living children, and one fs nc more. Myself and husband each in herited much wealth, and for years en Ijoyed all the happiness which riches and affection can confer, until within the last few weeks, when he contracted an unconquerablc and mysterious pas. sion for the gaming table, and his owr property-farms, houses, lots, slaves money, vcrything-melted away like snow beneath warm sun. Then ht persuaded me that he had reformed and under the pretext of an intention to remove into another State, induc ed me to sell out, and turn all 1 owned from my poor father into cash, and that has been following the rest, until to, night when he has taken our only re- maining means into wonder nell, where it will all be swallowed up before morning, unless can gain admission and prevent it."s As she said this, she pointed at the old frame house.
 "What. is the name of your husband ? inquired the stranger.
 Major Ryan she answered; do you know him:' :"
 II know him very we'll 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 den?" she asked in earnest entreaty.
 q fear that it is impossible" was the candid reply.
 Then my children are beggars, she bitterly shriekcd in her despair. My children oh my unfortunate children Would to God that we were alltogeth- CT in the same grave with your little sister.pd 4la Ht
 So heart rendering was her tone, so fearful was the agony of her attitude as she bowed down npon her knees in speeches. prayer, on the frozen ground, that even tho stranger could not re- press his sympathW and after delibera- ting in silence minute or more, he came to benevolent, yet recklesslv bold conclusion f4 I
 'I cannot gain for you admission into that house" he said,' but can do W that is better--I can enter myself and save him from the fangs of the villains whitlin. or perish in the attempt.' 'In the name of pity, do,'' she prayed, rising to her feet, ..and l and my dear ones will bless you forever" H9
 4.I win, y he rcjoined, '.but upon one condition--ihat you immediately re- turn home out of this violent tempest, and stay there patiently. until I bring your husband, even if that should not be tin morning.
 "I consent, she exclaimed, in eager, almost joyous tones. q will start this instant and may God prosper you in your holy enterprise" And as she spoke she disappeared behind the thick curtain Of darkness. S
 The stranger then passed oyer to the old frame building, and,gav three low. distinct knocks on the door, each repeated by intervals of about half n minute. These were promptly an .swered by two similar knocks from within. He then knocked fourth time and the door opened few inches. when a voice from the room whisper ed the sign question-"What is the time ?'' g Aaa
 k To which be replied, ''Ask the queen of hearts ?V ut
 "Where is the queen of hearts?" 'a
 "In the left bower of the great kiug.r was the answer, when the shutter flew wide open and he hurried into the house, and the door was bolted and closed as before. asA
 The stranger passed through the first apartment, which was in state of to- tai darkness and entered the second, which was brilliantly illuminated, and where there were two card tables in full operation, with eight or ten busy players at each. A quick glance at these showed him that the object of his search was not present. He went into the next, and from that to those beyond it, until he had counted twelve, all similar in their appearence, and having circles of men engaged in the same perilous pastime but still he did not find the person whom he had come to see and save. He then approached q dark corner and descended a steep narrow flight of stairs. Here he found three individuals in the act of sitting down to a game of poker, and, to his great delight, he discovered that one of them was Major Ryan, although the latter did not know him.
 A tall, heavy man, with shining bald head inquired
 "Stranger, would you like to take a hand r
 Il haven't no objections, replied the other, in apparent embarrassment, and affecting the tone and manner of a boatman, ''that is to say, if t'other fel- lers here are wiilin.'
 .Certainly, sir responded Major Ryan with humorous smile.
 "Certainly, sir" said powerful man, with dark bairy face and pierc- ing black eyes; "certainlv, provided you have sufficient money to play the thirr nnt for ii is but right to inform