The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1868-12-18
Sleeft Stnrp.
A MORNING WITH GAMBLERS.
BY REV. JOHN MCCLINToCK, u. D.

In the earlier years of my ministry. l
formed special fellowship with a very in
telligent and pious family. The father
and mother were of the vigorous Scotch-lr
ish stock; clear-headed and sound hearted
people. The children inheriting strong
health of mind and body, and were al
quick-wited and lively. | loved them all
dearly, and came at last to make their fam
lily destines their joys and sorrows, my
own.
One of the sons, Edward, was fine,
Young fellow of eighteen, eXubprant in both
| life and strength, but full of sweetness
| and good humor. Young as he was, he
showed great talent for business, and was
already trusted clerk in a large mercan-
tile house, with liberal salary for those
| times
was called out of bed, one morning, at
about four O'clock TO see this young man.
lie was in great distress, and could hardly
tell his story; but 1t came out at last, and
was bad enough when it came
II have been spending the light at differ
ent faro ia les, and have lost about three
hundred and fifty dollars"
"Wl o,e money was it?"sa.r 4-.4rr
at belonged to my employer. must 90
to the Office this morning and account for it
What SHALL. | do?"
| found on questioning him, that he had
been gambling for two or three months. lie
had lie !un by learning to play cards of i'l
low clerk; played at first. merely for the plea
| sure of it, but soon found that small stake
was necessary to give interest to the game.
In short he had gone the road which thous-
ands have trod before him. From innocent
card playing, to betting at whist and from
the whist table to the faro-bank. OF course,
was very angry with the boy. But was
sorry, too, as looked into that far young
face agonized with fear aud shame-soriy for
him, and still more sorry for the proud father
and fond mother, who must soon know oil
their dshonor.
But hao to brush away these emotions
and answer the practical question.
"What shall do?"
1t was pla n that the first thing to be be
done was to get the money back, il possible
| dressed rapidly, went to the house of le-
gal friend, and woke him up His advice
was soon given.
Don't try law with these people. 90 to
them Yourself alone and demand the money
Oh the GROUND that they wen it from min
or" decided to try.
coufess that this decision made me ner-
cous. ] had never handled a card, had never
been in gambling house, nor spoken with a
profcssei gambler. Moreover, it was not yet
six o'clock in the the morning, went home,
swallowed cup of coffee, and set out on my
strange errand.
Edward had lost seventy dollars at Frank
Inns gambling house; one hundred and hlty
at IIodgson's and one hundred and thirty al
DuGour and Ciark's He gave me each ad
dress, street and number; my task was to &C
to these men, talk with them face to lace
and get the money-if could.
l,,,, Hpgf man
A. n. when | knocked at his door--ther
was no bell to pull A maid admitted me
after some parley, and led the way into
back room, where / found Franklin shaving
before little glass hung at the window. IN
appearance was not progressing, a bulle
head covered with a heavy shock of irongre
hair and set strongly on pair OF brawn
shoulders; bull dog expression OF face; tn
whole figure indicating animal force, bruta
ity and obstnGcy. ...
His gruff 'Wh hat do you want at this hou
OF the morning?" did not tend to reassur
me. The upshot of my conference with hi
was blunt refusal.
"The fellow took his risk and must stan
by it" -..
With this left him.
Hodgson was my next man. HIS 'plac
of business was shut, but negro who WI
hanging about told me Wnere ne ilVeu' III
distant part of the city. A carriage 500
set me down in front of grocery store, wit
the sign "W. B. Hodgson, family Groce
ies.p A decent, even handsome woman, vii
a good honest face presided at the desk.
The place was in perfect order, with all Il
air Of prosperous trade. She told me th
Mr.. Hodgson had gone down town on bus
ness. II must see him this morning, Ma
am On r1rivafa husinPSg.
The word "prvate" arrest her; an EXPIRE
sion of fear aud trouble gathered rapid
over her honest face. 1t was clear that s.
was no partner in the gambling trade. exec
to share its shame. l told my errand plal
ly. @
"You will find my husband at, II
place" by this time, and he will give you I
money" tla &lE Rl a8.
found Hodgson man of fye-and-thirt
or thereabouts, with the look of well-to-
tradesman, and an open, frank expressio
My story was hardly begun when he as
ed
rrr .a---...