The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-21
John OgdOn's Last Hes.

John Ogden had contracted Il 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, Notwithstanding. 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
young man not more than eight -and-twen-
ty, with a wife and two children--a wife
true and loving, and children bright and
good. And John was good. kind hus-
band, and an cvcn-tempered, indulgent
father. lie was a book-keepcr in mer-
camille house, upon a salary more than suf-
ficient for all his proper wants.
John Ogden's betting had come to be a
matter ofemphass and determination. The
habit had so fastened itself upon him that
he could bet off-hand, and pay loss or take
n winning. as matter of course.
Susan he said, one evening, with radiant
face, i have won fifty dollars to-day.
How" asked the wife with shadow upon
her face
Il bet fifty dollars that Popkins would be
elected over Shumway, and Poplsins 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 / suppose fairly Won
'Oi course | did,.
And do you think Charles Ashcroft was
able to bear the loss!'
That isn't my look out
Il am sorry, John. wish you would put
away that habit. Only evil can come of
it
'Pshaw"
Evil has already come, John. Your
heart is growing callous and hard. Time
was when you could not have taken fifty
dollars from poor and needy family with
out a feeling of shame and compunction.'
Hold on, Susan! don't want another
lecture. know what am up to- You
don't know so much of the world as | do.
And with this, John Ogden took his hat
and went Out-went ont like a coward, know
ing that il he entered into argument with
her she would twist him into labyrinth
from which he could only escape by IN an
CRY bolt.
Half an hour later Peter Cartwright came
in. lie was a year or two older than John,
and was Susan's cousin-only a cousin by
blsod, but as they had heen brought up from
early childhood together they were like
brother and sister in life and love Peter
sat down, and chatted awhile, and found his
cousin not so cheerful as usual.
You are not well, SUSAN
j am well in body, Peter, but sore at
heart
What is itf'
Il fear not to speak to you freely. | am
worrying about John His habit of betting
IS taking deeper and deeper root To-day
he has won fifty dollars from Charles Ash
croft on the result of an election Last
week he won forty dollars on the race
course. know his temperament. lie is
headstrong and impulsivc. Can you not
see the dangerY
yes, Susan, have seen it this long time,
but have moi dared to speak of it, If John
werc' cold-hl0oded and calculating,
he might occasionally bet with danger only
of doing wrong to those from whom he won
the money, but as it is, with his impulsiye,
mercurial temperament, there is other dan
ger.
i wish you could influence him, Peter.
Il wish could but | fear he would not
listen
Cartwright took out his watch, and said
he must be going, He had left friend al
the Ashton House, and must go back to
him.
Il came down, he added, to get John tc
call up with me. You remember Frank
Powers?
Certainly said Susan, with a brighten
ing eye. Il was reading of him in the paper
last night. He had been made a colonel
yes returned Peter, 'and has como
home minus an arm, lost at Antietam.'
Il should like to see him.,
'He shall call. He will be glad, know.
Peter had arisen, and got as far as the
door, whore he stopped and turned.