The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-06-24


the little one upon the head, (ior the
child's grief touched him. perhaps
we'll have a new hoop some time"
"Mayn't have one now Mr.. Grants
got one left-oh, snch pretty one =
The sobbing had ceased, as the child
caught her fathers hand eagarly.
mot now, Lizrie--not now. I'll
think of it."
Sobbing again, the child moved on
towards home, dragging the old hoop
after her.
At one Of the stores Albert Landman
met some Of his friends.
Halo, Albert What's up?
Nothing in particular.
"What do you say to a game Of bill.
liards, Albert"
Good I'm in for that"
And away went Albert to the billiard
hall, whero he had glorious time with
his friend. He liked billiards; it was u
healthy pretty game, and the keeper Of
the hall allowed no rough.scuffs on his
premises.
They had played four games. Albert
had won two, aud his opponent had won
two.
"That's two and two," cried Tom Pi.
per. What do you usay to playing them
of, Albert 7"
"All right, so in," said Albert, full
Of animation.
So they played the fifth game, aud
he who lost was to pay for the five
games. 1t was an exciting contest.
Both made capital runs, but in the
end Albert was beaten by three points;
and with little laugh he went up to
settle the bill. Five games, twenty
cents game-just one dollar. Not
much for such sport and he paid out
the money with grace, and never once
seeming to feel that he could no afford it.
"Have cigar ?" said Tom.
ayes"
They lighted their cigars, aud sauu.
tered down the hall to watch others
play
Albert soon found himself seated over
against a table at which some of his
friends were playing, and close by him
stood two gentlemen, strangers to him,
one of whom was explaining to the other
the mysteries of the game.
1t is healthy pastime," said he who
had been making the explanation land
certainly it is one that has no evil ten
dency."
Albert heard the remarks very plain.
ly, aud had curiosity to hear what the
other, who seemed unacquainted with
billiards, would say.
" i cannot, Of course, assert that any
game which calls for skill and judg
ment, and which is free from the atten.
dant curse Of gaming, is Of itself an
evil" remarked the second gentleman
"Such things are only evil so far as
they excite and stimulate men beyond
the bounds Of healthy recreation"
THAT result can scarcely follow such
game" said the first speaker.
But the other shook his head.
"You are wrong there. The result
can follow in two ways. First, it eau
lead men away from their business; sec
ond, it can lead men to spend money
who have no money TO spend. You
will understand me. / would not cry
down the game Of billiards, for i If uu.
derstood it l should certainly try you
game now; but whenever l visit place
Of this kind ! am led to reflect upon
most strange and prominent weak nesses
Of humanity as developed in our sex.
For instance, observe that young man
who is just settling his bill at the desk
He looks like n mechanic, aud should
say from his manner, aud from the fact
he feels it his duty to go home at this
hour, that he has wife aud children.
see by his face that he ia kind hearted
and generous, and ! should judge that
he means to do about as near right as
he can. He has been beaten, aud he
| pays one dollar and forty cents for the
recreation Of some two hours duration.
II you would observe, you will see that
he pays it freely, and pockets the loss
with smile. Happy facultyl But
m.n vn " bama ssppSsu o.n = = ~ ~. qua; youn
come TO him this morning aud asked
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some K, % os ;anaIs., s.no,l ~ ass ospaens nn VI
aad snn1o. o h.. ~ I;,,Ia Iao ah;,S e p ps'soa
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