Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-03-05
John OGDEN'S LAST BET,

JOHN OGDENS LAST BET.
John Ogden had contracted 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 notwithstand.
ing His sin was that of betting, and 1t had |
so grown upon him that he would bet upon the
result of things the most trivial or the most
grave. He was young man, not more than
Extraordinarily, with wife and TWO children
"a wife true and loving, and children bright
and good. And John was good, kind nus
band and an even-tempered, indulgent father.
He was book keeper in Il mercantile house,
upou a salary more than sufficient for all his
proper wants.
John Ogden's betting had come ~ be mat
Ter of emphasis and determination. The habit
had so fastened itself upon him that he could
bet off hand, and pay loss or take winning as
amatter OF course.
.Susan," he said, one evening, 81 have won
fifty dollars to-day.
"How ?" asked the W tie, with shadow up
on her face.
~ bet fifty dollars that Popkins would be
elected over SUBWAY, and Popkins was elect
ed handsomely"
"Whom did you bet with, john
with Charles Ashcroft"
sand you took his fifty dolarsf'
"Certainly,-why shouldn't |? lie fairly
lost"
"And you, suppose, fairly won"
UfcOurse did,"
Aud do you think Charles Ashcroft was
able TO bear the loss9"
"lhat isn't my look out"
''i am sorry, John. | wish you would put
away that habit. Only evil can come Of
it,"
tRRshaw!'
ia ornyinn,9s already come, John. Your heart
We, on'I97 s-,ous and hard. Time WAS when
49, ana nom. no. ma taken fifty dollars from ;
sTa,a o neeuf fanny without feeling o
shame and compunctiOa."
tufs.. Y knUw >wuat' i .l,a ,4ant opn,hor iar
know so much of the world AS do"
And with this, John Ogden took his ha
aud went out-went out like a coward KNOWN.
that il he entered into argument with his W iie
she would twist him Into labyrinth freu
which he could only escape by All angry bolt.
Half an hour later Peter Cartwright cam
in. lie was year or two older than John
and was Susan'S cousin-only 4 cousin b.
blood, but as they had been brought up froi
early childhood together, they were like broth
er and sister in life and love. petei sat dow
and chatted awhile aud found his cousin nc
so cheerful as usual
"You are not well, SUSAN
~ am well in body, Peter, but sore :
heart"
What is it?"
81 fear not 10 speak to you freely. | al
taking deeper root. To day he has won tiit
dollars from Charles Ashcroft on the result
an election. Last We elk he won forty dOlla
On tile raee course. know his temperance
lie is headstrons AND impulsive. Can you Il
the dinser.n
Yes, Susan, have seen it this Ion. tin
but have not dared TO speak of it. Ii Jol
We're cold-blooded and calculating he might {
cAsionally bet with danger only Of doing wro
~ those from whom he won money, bu; as
i, with his lmpulsire, mercurial Temperance
there is ether danger"
al wish you could influence him Peter"
81 wish | could, but fear lie would
listen"
Cartwrish. took Gu, his WATCH and said
must be going. lie had left friend at
Ashton House, and must go back to him.
81 came down, lie added ''to get John
call upswilh me. You remember Frank Pc
els."
"Certainly," said Susan, with brighten
eye 81 was reading OF HIM in the paper
hight. lie has been made colonel.
YES" returned Peter, andlhas come hJr
minus an arm lost at AntietaIn."
III should Ike to see him.
ale shall call. lie will be glad, kno,
Peter had arisen, and got as fil as the d,
where he stopped and turned.
"Susan, lie said, - have an idea, amt -
saving up money with which pay oil the n
gage On his house,
"les. lie has almost enough. The IN,
gage Is eleven hundred and fifty dollars, all,
has thousand oil II in bank"
don't say any thing to him that | /
been here, aAs' say nothing about Col
Powers"
"But-Peler--1
Trust me, susan. think sc va
give HIM lesson. Hold you peace, and ~
The result
"On the following day Peter Cartwright
John Ogden i'll the store, aud Informed hi
tile arrival Of Col. Powers.
"And he wants 10 see you, old fellow.
You 90 up with Inc this EVENING""
Certainly | will, replied John, gladly.
How is hep
"Comtori able, considering. He has Ii
hard time of it, though. You knew lie had
an ARM"
a heard If lis being wounded at Antie
And so the arm had 10 come OFF,
"Yes.'
(Which
excuse Inc, John. / have an appoint
10 keep atthe bank will call for you
evening"
'All right. I'll be ready"
Aud in the evening Peter called and toy
the two went to the hotel. They found {
mel Powers in bis private Tonm seated
Zig easy CHAIR, and looking somewhat pale
worn.
Frank, my dear fellow, how are YOU
John advancing.
"John, old boy, am Glad to see you. \
exc use Inc for not rising. | am pretty we!
not so strong as | have BEEN"
Keep your seat, Frank. | am glad To
you back alive and I'm ,ltre yoGll pick
lime.'
The empty coat-sleeve, dangling over the
Of the chair, was eloquent and Johns
Inoistened as he fixed his gaze upon it,
And yet the conversation flowed pleas
after time. The colonel had much to
aud his hearers were willing to listen.
John arose to depart first. He had toll
wife that he should not be out late. Cartv
would remain while longer.
On the day following this visit Peter
John iset in the street close by the bank
the latter had come to deposit for his en-
ers. Peter hid evidently been waiting
watching
Are YOU going to lunch, John?'
Yes VIII you come with me?'