The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-02-27
A DARK NIGHTS WORK.

A DARK NIGHTS WORK.
Going to try your luck at faro,
Blaisdell ?"
"No," was the answer. CT never
gamble. I'm only going up to look
on.
Humph I'm off. Good night"
Good night.
Harry Blaisdell paused on the stone
steps of a Notwithstanding house stu
ated in upper Broadway, and watched
his friends manly form until it disap-
peared in the crowd that thronged the
brilliantly lighted street There was n
sad, half wistful look in his hand
some brown eyes, seldom to be seen
there.
/ wonder what has come over me ?"
he muttered, with an impatient shrug.
Somehow it seems to me as if tonight
were going to be turning-point in my
career. / can't conquer the impression
any more than / could have overcome
the incomprehensible magnetism that
drew my feet to this place of all 9TH
ers."
He glanced up quickly at the dark
front OF the building before which he
stood, hesitated still another instant, as
if tempted to follow his friend down.
town, after all then slowly turned the
door-knob, and went in.
He found himself in spacious hall,
dimly lighted by single gas-iet. A
staircase, heavily carved and thickly
carpeted, led up from the center, and an
attendant stood leaning against the wall
near marble Ariadne, little TO the
right of the entrance.
Harry Blaisdell barely nodded to the
man and passed up the stairs, as if well
acquainted with the place, though,
truth to tell, he had never penetrated
to the vile gambling den-for such, in
reality, 1t was-but once before in all
his life.
Pushing open the nearest door upon
the landing, he entered a large, bril-
liantly lighted room, furnished with the
most exquisite taste. A velvet pile COW
cred the floor soft folds of filmy lace
screened the windows handsome mir
rors adorned the walls, and heavily
carved divans were arranged about the
apartment.
In one corner stood massive side
board, all of glitter with cut-glass and
silver and swinging gas-iets. Harry
hurried shudderingly past it, as if it had
been some hundred headed dragon, and
entered the room beyond.
Here the great game of faro was go
ing on round green-baize table at the
upper end. The hour was late and very
few persons were in the room. though
occasionally muttered curse or a dis
cordant laugh issued from apartments
beyond, indicating that the place was
Nnt IL cd Nv l. 4
different games were going on.
Harry paused near the ro-table. and
his glance at once singled out q hand
some, well-dressed young gentleman,
who, in company with two other men OF
quite different stamp, seemed to be
playing against the game
The young man was frightfully pale
his eyes were bloodshotten, but burned
with an unnatural glitter, and the hanc
resting against one corner of the table
trembled like an aspen-leaf.
I'm ruined y he cried out, sudden
", with fearful oath.
+" Humph I" said the dealer, sheer
ingly. "Got enough of it for one night
eh ?"
The young man hesitated moment
pressed both hands against his burnin,
temples, and exclaimed, in a hoars
voice:
CT believe you have swindled me
But it's of no use complaining. I'll fgh
it out with you yet.
He tore a diamond pin from his shirt
front, and slung it across the table, wit
the words
LEND me n hundred on that.
"All right, said the dealer, with a
assuring smile; and he passed owe
checks for the required amount.
Again the game proceeded.
Harry almost held his breath as h
watched its progress, and saw greG
beads of perspiration ON the youn
mans forehead.
Luck was still against him, and b
lost !
CT demand another chance to redeel
myself" he cried, hoarsely; and tn
time handsome gold watch and chat
was pushed into the dealers hand.
At this instant two moist finger
tapped against Harry's cheek, and
leering, sarcastic face was pushed clos
up to his own.
i" L say, sir" piped shrill voice
:" what n precious fool that youngster
making of himself He ought to kno
he is playing against decoys, and ho
not the ghost of chance.
Who is he ?" asked Harry, too cur
GUS TO resent the familiarity.
=" The son of Wall street banker
Dick Van Alstine by name"
An ~ exclaimed Harry, involunt;
rily.