Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-03-03

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made my last pledge, my employer said te
me:
Mr.. Willard tomorrow we will lool
over the books
Had thunGer-bolt fallen ON my head
the blow could have not been greater.
staggered from the store. What should
do? might rush again to the gaming ta
BILE but, what had l to pledge? 1 was pen.
nyless. Even my watch, and every avalla
BILE article of value had already gone. But
with frenzy in my heart, hastened to my
home. Oh, the MORROW? l could not meet
it. sat beside my wife-she spoke not
that is, her voice was silent, but there was
sorrow stamped upon her face. rose a,
last, and taking her hand, exclaimed:
Laura, don t you despise me, curse me.
''She tried to speak, but faltering, she
burst into tears. 1 was touched at last, for
still loved her, and falling upon my knees
1 told her all.
And now, cried, starting up, there
is but one hope. You may save me-will
you do it?
'Yes, you know I will + was the gentle
response; what can do?
Your jewelry That diamond and your
watch. They will procure the means fol
play, and l may win back all l have lost.
If should not, | swear by the Heaven
above me never to gamble Without one
word she gave them up. knew them to be
gifts of her parents, now no more, and that
she priced them highly, but with word Of
hope left the house.
II was met again by the same dark stran-
ger who had won the entire sum which l
had lost. had played of late only with him.
We seated ourselves and the game began.
The glittering jewel was placed on the table
and lost
Brandy brandy shrieked; give
me brandy, or the most deadly poison | care
not which"
Glass after glass drank, and as the fires
of the infaming beverage mounted to my
brain, l still played on.
SAT last had lost every article posses
ed. My partner suggested that we contin
ue, as my luck might change, but replied
that had nothing more to pledge.
''Oh, yes, was the calm response there
is your household furniture'
''FienG : = c:;a. c-;ed But the morrow star
ed me in the face, and quickly drew al Or
der for every article. played and lost
"'Let me die now y exclaimed, starting
to my feet. would have left the room, but
my partner caught me BY the hand, and
drawing me close to him exclaimed:
g You have one thing more that you can
pledgel'
e. What is it =? In the fend's name what
is it?
"'You have one thing more would pos
sess- l have won from you eight thousand
dollars. 1t is all here You stole it, and
to morrow you will be called upon to give
an account Can you replace the sum ?
Silence. you fiend of Darkness l cried,
or, by heavens above, shall add murder
to my dark catalogue of crime!'
=" BE calm and l will propose plan by
which you may win all back.
"'S Speak in mercy speak ! groaned.
Here is the money you have lost-here
your jewelry, and here fhe order for your
household furniture. Should l play with
you no more, you are beggar, and soon will
be convicted felon! I will place these
Of them, against one thing you
possess. 1t is your only chance. Will you
"'Yes, to anything!' cried. What is it
l can stake against these? My life?
No, your pyer came the calm re-
sponse.
Il sprang forward and would have torn
my tempter limb from limb, but placing
pistol to my breast, he bid me beware. |
staggered choaking to the side board and |
drank deeply. At last cried:
Yes, it shall be so 1 will play this
stake, for know that 1 shall win 7
Stay moment, exclaimed my tempt
er. We must have things regular-sign |
this paperP
81 seized the pen affixed my name to the
document which pledged myself to renounce
all claim upon my wife if the game turned
against me.
with a fixed purpose seated myself,
and the game began My opponent was
calm, while 1 was burning beneath the
flames that consumed me. The game pro-
,ecded, and l lost one point. paused, seiz-
ID decanter OF brandy, and drinking deep
ly Of its contents, but this only added fuel
10 the fires raging within me.
"'On with this game of death 7 l cried,
and with glaring eyes and heaving breast
We played again. A second point lost.
tried to rise, but could uot Quick quickl
shouted, let us finish the torture = 1t
,ame. Two points more were lost, and
tarting to my feet in wild despair, fell
enseless to the floor.
Il had made my last pledge-the gam
,ler's last pledge The wife | had loved
vas no longer my wife, but slave! made
o by the husband who had sworn to pro-
ect her till the close of life
''When 1 returned to consciousness |
vas stretched upon couch at my own
lome My o,on hon,eP No the home l
lad lost and beside me stood the partner
f my games, and the gentle Laura, once my
7ife-no,o his slave l started up-there
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