Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-02-14
JOHN OGDEN'S LAST BET.

John Ogden had contracted a very
bad habit-a dangerous and sinful
habit. Had any one suggested to him
game of cards to be played for money,
he would not have listened /; and yet he
was growing to be gambler, notwith-
standing. His sin was that of betting,
and it had so grown upon him that he
would bet upon the result of things
most trivial or most grave. He was a
young man, not more than eight-and-
y twenty, with wife and two children-a
wife true and loving, and children
bright and good. And John was good,
| kind husband, and an even-tempered,
indulgent father. He was book
keeper in a mercantile house, upon a
sa4ary more than sufficient for all his
proper wants.
John Ogden's betting had come to be
a matter of emphasis and determine
ton. The habit had SO fastened itself
upon him that he could bet off-hand,
and pay loss, or take winning, as a
matter of course.
"Susan," he said, one evening, with
radiant face, 81 have won fifty dollars
to-day"
"How?" asked the wife, with a
shadow upon her face.
ct bet fifty dollars that Popkins
would be elected over Shumway, and
Popkins was elected, handsomely"
"Whom did you bet with, John ?"
"With Charles Ashcroft"
"And you took his fifty dollars ?"
Certainly, shouldn't I? He
fairly lost"
"And you, I suppose, fairly won."
"Of course did,"
"And do you think Charles Ashcroft
was able to bear the loss ?"
"That isn't my lookout.
"I am sorry, John. I wish you
would put away that habit. Only evil
can come of it."
"Pshawi"
"Evil has already come, John. You,
heart is growing callous and hard
Time was when you could not have
taken fifty dollars from poor an6
needy family without feeling of shame
and compunction.
"Hold on, Susan I don't want an
other lecture. / know what I am uI
to. You don't know so mnch of tht
world as do"
And with this, John Ogden took his
hat and went out-wert out like q COW
ard, knowing that if he entered into ar
gument with his wife, she would twis
him into a labyrinth from which ht
could only escape by an angry bolt.
Half an hour later Peter Cartwright
came in. He was year or two oldel
than John. and was Susan's cousin
only cousin by blood, but as they hat
been brought up from early childhood
together they were like brother ant
sister in life and love. Peter sat down
and chatted awhile, and found hi
cousin not SO cheerful as usual.
"You are not we'll, Susan ?"
81 am well in body, Peter, but sor'
at heart"
"What is it ?"
81 fear not to speak to you freely.
am worrying about John. His habit O
betting is taking deeper and deeper
root. To-day he has won fifty dollar
from Charles Ashcroft on the result o
an election. Last week he won fort,
dollars on the race-course. I know hi
temperament. He is headstrong an,
impulsive. Can you not see the dan
ger?"
eyes, Susan, / have seen it this lonJ
time, but have not dared to speak of ii
If John were cold -blooded and calcu
lating, he might occasionally bet will
danger only of doing wrong to thos
from whom he won money, but as it is
with his impulsive, mercurial tempera
ment, there is other danger"
"I wish you could influence him
Peter"
"I wish I could but fear he woul,
not listen"
Cartwright took out his watch, an,
said he must be going. He had left
friend at the Ashton House, and mus
go back to him.
"I came down." he added, "to ge
John to call up with him. You remem
Der Frank Powers ?"
Certainly" said Susan, with
Frightening eye. "I was reading O
him in the paper last night. He ha
been made colonel"
Yes," returned Peter, "and ha
come home minus an arm, lost at An
tietam."
| should like to see him."
de shall call. He will be glad,