Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-03-04
John Ogden's Last Bet.

and yet he was growing to be a
gambler, Notwithstanding. His sin
was that Of betting, and it had
grown upon him that he would bet
upon the result of things most tri-
vial or most grave. He was a
young man, not more than eight
and-twenty, with a wife and two
children-a wife true and loving,
and children bright and good.
Aud John was a good, kind hus-
band, and an even tempered, indul-
gent father. He was book-keep-
er in q mercantile house, upon q
salary more than sufficient for all
his proper wants.
John Ogden's betting had come
to be a matter of emphasis and
determination. The habit had so
fastened itself upon him that he
could bet off-hand and pay a loss
or take a winning as matter OF
course.
"Susan," he said one evening,
with radiant face. 81 have won
fifty dollars to-day"
"How 2" asked his wife, with O
shadow upon her face.
81 bet fifty dollars that Poplzins
would be elected over Shumway
and Popkins was elected handsome
ly."
"Whom did you bet with, John ?
"With Charles Ashcroft"
"And you took his fifty dollars ?
"Certainly-why shouldn't l
He fairly lost"
"And you suppose, fairly won ?
"Of course did"
"And do you think Charles Ash
croft was able to bear the loss9"
"That isn't my lookout"
81 am sorry, John. I wish yor
would put away that habit. Onl,
evil can come of it."
"Pshaw p
evil has already come, John
Your heart is growing callous an,
hard. Time was when you coulC
not have taken fifty dollars from {
poor and needy family without {
feeling ofshame and conjunction.
"Hold on Susan l don't wan
another lecture. / know what
am up to. You don't know 81
much of the world as l do"
And with this John Ogden took
his hat and went out-went out
like q coward, knowing that if he
entered into an argument with his
wife, she would twist him into o
labyrinth from which he could only
escape by an angry bolt.
Half an hour later Peter Cart
wright came in. He was year OF
two older than John, and was
Susan's cousin-only q cousin by
blood, but as they had been
brought up from carly 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 p
"I'm well in body, Peter, but
sore at heart"
"What is it ?"
81 fear not to speak with you
freely. l am worrying about John
His habit of betting is taking deep.
er and deeper root. To-day he
won fifty dollars from Charles Ash
croft on the result of an election
Last week he won forty dollars on
race-course. / know his tempera-
ment. He is headstrong and inn
pulsive. Can you not sec the dam
ger ?"
Eyes, Susan, / have seen it this
long time, but have not dared to
speak of il. If John were cold
blooded and calculating, he might
occasionlly bet with danger only Of
doing wrong to those from whom
he won the money, but as it is
with his impulsive, mercurial tenn
permanent, there is no danger"
81 wish you could influence him
Peter"
81 wish could but fear he
would not listen"
Cartwright took out his watch
and said he must be going. Ht
had left q friend at the Ashton
House, and must go back to him.
al came down." he added, "tc
Get John to call up with me. You