The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1869-09-11
his stalls was but typical of the pace at
which he was rushing to ruin.

all that money, with such pains-takiug
and miserly care, scraping it together
from highways and by-ways, have seen
how rapidly it was flowing back into it's
old channels, he could not surely have
lain so still in his narrow house.. No
phantom hand, however, closed around
the money bugs, and the string of Paul
Graham's purse always chung on the out
side"
Thus it continued for twoyenrs. "Dear
little Fan" was well-nigh' forgotten in
the multiplicity of exciting pleasures he
managed to crowd into the days. His
friends-of whom he had host--(fnr
what good felloS who spent money free
ly ever lacked thcmD y His friends, 1
say, looked on him with certain kind
of admirati~1 for his recklcssness, and
pity for the ruin that was inevitably con-
ing upon him.
At first, Paul had supposed that the
purse OF Fortunatus never in its palmiest
days contained more than half a million;
but latterly he began to have .forcbod-
ings that, through the glitter of the coin,
he could see something that looked mar
velously like the bottom of the wallet.
And though he had enjoyed the day
wonderfully, he did not like the prospect
Of night coming on with its darkness and
want.
"Somc fools would tell me to econo-
mize on what is left" he soliloquizcd,
i'll taking Il mental review Of the situa-
ton; "hut that's not my style Live,
while you do live, Paul, my hearty, and
die, if die you must, bravely, with colors
flying! Before giving up, however, I'll
strike once more for life and liberty
that is, I'll 20 round to Talbot's Saloon
and either get back the lost sheep, or
send the remnant Of the flock after
them"
All night lung l,c sat in Talbot's mag
niiicent gaming saloon, watching the
revolutions of his fuctuating fortune.
He had been rather luck ysup co the
early hours of morning, but then the
tickle Jade gave him the cut direct. and
bestowed her favor, on his patient op.
poncnt.
A., 5, G o'clock, and the pale dawn
looked in upon the palcr faces of the
miserable devotees And still the wheel
turned, and still fortune frowned on the
boldcst gambler that ever quafFcd the
maddening wine in her honor
Paul Graham was penniless. The pis-
tol from his belt, the watch from his
bosom, and the jewels from his hands
had been the last offerings laid on the
unhaliowed shrine. lie got up aud
strobe fercely through the glittering
rooms, as if to shake the dust of the ac-
cursed place from his feet. He had
reached the duor, and turned it on its
silent hinges, when sudden thought
caused him to close it softly and turn
haughtily back. The mon who stood
around were his friends; they had eaten
of his salt, drunk of his cup, and revclcd
on his bounty. Verify, Paul Graham
had been wounded in the house of his
friends" aud they looked on now, won
dering what the bankrupt spcndthrift
could be going to say, for they thought
he was one that "wouli die, and
make no moan," and not like some of
nerveless mould, come whining around
his lost fortune.
He stood just in front of the man who
had heaped up before him the remnant
of his abundant wealth The wine flush
had died from his face, and his fiery eyes
cleaned from their pale settings, like
living Goals in the dead white ashes.
walter Elbert," addressing his fortu.
nate rival, "you have known me long.
and known me to be an houest man.
though foolish one Fortune came to
me unexpectedly, and turned my brain
but before it came, had one treasure
that priced above all the gold that ever
glittered on that table. l have it vet.
Risk something against it, and give me
one more chance to walk out into Gods
free world, for as a beggar, will never
leave these walls; and | tell you though
smiling and uuconcerned as you sit there,
my blood will be upon your head"
@What is your treasure, Paul ?" asked
the other, lightly. Perhaps I'll stake