The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-08-15
LOST BUT SAVED.
by s1GNoR BLITz.

OF mind, young man, the son of my
worthy landlady, whom had learned to |
look upon with great degree of interest,
by reason of his uniform gentlemanly de-
pertinent and the affectionate solcitude
he ever exhibited for his mother. He
held a fine position as clerk in a large
house, and was one in which his en-
ployers roposed the utmost confidence.
Why Harry what is the matter ?"
1 asked, not little alarmed at this sud-
den scene. "What are you doing hereY
| am a lost man, ruined, eternally
ruined, and my poor mother"
Ruined, lost, what do you mean? p
have lost everything my salary,
my mothers little jewels which my father
gave her-and, to complete my guilt,
have r-r-obbed my employers"
You! you robbed your mother, and
your masters When, and for what pur-
pose ?'
" Yes, have done it-and not an hour
since 1 staked the last crown of my thiev-
ings on the card table at. II am
damned forever" he cried wildly, throw
ing himself upon the doorstep, in an
agony of grief.
Here was a scene indeed young
man, before whom; but few months
since, there were the happiest prospects
of an honorable life a mothers only
hope, and the esteemed confdant of an
honorable mercantile house, lying abject-
ly upon the earth with every darling hope
in ruin Here, then, was the cause of
his silence his moodiness. and his late
hours
saw it at a glance, and as quickly
did [ resolve to save him if possible
After some little entreaty, | persuaded
the young man to leave the place where
he was, and go with me to some secluded
locality. On my way | learned the
whole story. 1t was simple one, and
just such as happens every day.
The young man, by the invitation of a
friend, had been induced to visit---,to
see the place next to take game or so
for the pleasure Of the thing; soon, to
make it more interesting, small sums
were staked, and lost of course; next to
win them back, debts were incurred
which, if not paid, would lead to exposure.
Poor Harry! he saw his position, but how
could he return His salary was small,
and only came on quarterdays.
The friend suggested 6orroring Cithom
asking loan-for he could replace it
in few days, and no one would be the
wiser, for luck would turn. 1t was as
ever, the old story over again-and he
fell into the snare, first, by robbing his
mother, then, on this day he had taken
fifteen pounds from his employers.
After listening to his tale, / knew at
once how he had been duped, and pro-
posed that he should go with me To-,
"where," said /, " though | never gam
BILE, yet hope to teach lesson that
shall cause you never to put your foot
within this, or any similar place again.
Come, it is now near morning, and if you
wish to save yourself, do as direct and
perhaps it can yet be done"
My companion led the way to the
saloon where was to be introduced as
special friend. ALL of course, were
glad to see me, and with the young man
near | set down to one of the card-tabes
and commenced to play. For time !
lost, but soon the game began to take a
more favorable turn, and after an hours
play, arose from the table, and left the
place with above a hundred and fifty
pounds in my pocket.
After | had gained the street, and was
a considerable way from the house, where
my visit had not been a very agreeable
one to some who wished me to remain
longer, | turned and said There, Harry,
you see what have done. This fortune,
as you gamblers call it, is cheat, and
the money which | have taken from those
scoundrels who robbed you, was done in
accordance with their olcn principles.
Here are the cards played with" and
beneath the light of a street lamp
showed him pack of cards, so arranged
that | could always hold the game in my
hands. Besides designated marks by
which | knew the character of every card
: in the hands of my opponents. There, "
said /, Gin those and similar ways, lie the
, art Of gambling. You have been duped,
; but know you will not be so again"
" see it all-but now it is too late y
exclaimed the poor fellow. Now see
my disgrace"
A" Not yet promise me but one thing
and you shall be saved"
3 F." What is it 7 will do-ay, be any
, thing, only for my poor mothers sake"
Give me your word of honor, then, that
: you will never again touch card or dice