Smyrna times., 1874-10-07
MiSc eIIUW e OWS.
John 0gden's Last Bet.


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 young man, not more than
eight-and dtwenty, with wife and two children
"a true and loving wife, and children bright
and good. And John was a good, kind hush
and, and an even-tempered, indulgent father.
He was book-keeper in mercantile house,
upon salary more than sufficient for all his
proper wants.
John Ogden's betting had come to be a mat
ter Of emphasis and determination. The habit
had so fastened itself upon him that he could
bet f-hand, and pay loss, or take winning
as a m after OfcOurse.
"Susan!" he said one evening, with ra-
diant face 6 have won fifty dollars to day."
"HOw?' asked the wife, with shadow on
her face.
&C. bet fifty dollars that Popkins would be
elected over Shumway, and he was elected
handsomely.
"Wh0m did you bet with, John2"
"Wnh Charles Ashcroft -
And you took his fifty dollars ?"
"Certainly Why shouldn't |? He fairly
lost"
And you, l suppose, fairly won?''
"Of course did
"And do you think Charles Ashcroft was
able to bear the loss p
That ism my lookout
"Tm 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 aud hard. Time was when
you could not have taken fifty dollars from a
poor, needy family without feeling of shame
! and cOmpunctOn
Hold on, Susan! don't want another
lecture. know what I'm up to. You don t
know so much of the world as | dc"
And with this John Ogden took his hat and
went Out-went out like a coward, knowing
that il he entered into argument with his wife
she would twist him into labyrinth from
which he could only escape by an angry bolt.
Half an hour later Peter Cartwright came
in. He was year or two older than John,
and was SuSan's couSin-only a cousin by
blood but, as they had been brought up from
early childhood together they were life and
love. Peter sat down and chatted awhile, and
found his cousin not 80 cheerful as usual.
- You are not well, SusanY'
Z" | am well in body, Peter, but sore al
heart"
What is it ?"
{" fear not to speak to you freely. an
worrying about John. His habit of betting il
taking deeper and deeper root. To-day he has
won fifty dollars from Charles Ashcroft on tn,
: result of an election. Last week he won forty
dollars on the race-cOurse. know his ten
permanent. He is hea1strong aud impulsive
Can you not see the danger?'
: Yes. Susan! have seen it this long time
but have not dared to speak of it. If JohI
we're cold d-blooded and calculating, he nigh
occasionally bet with danger only of doin
wrong to those from whom he won money bu
as it is, with his impusive mercurlal tempera
ment there is other danger.
wish you cOT!d influence him, Peter"
81 wish | could but | fear he would nc
listen
Cartwright took ont his watch, and said h
= must be going. He had left friend at tn
Ashton House, and must go back to him.
81 came down." he added, to get job
: to go up with me. You remember Fran
Powers 2"
"Certainly I" said Susan, with brightenin
eye. " | was reading of him in the paper la'
night. He has been made colonel.
: "Yes!" returned Peter, land has CON
ID home minus an arm, lost at Antetam."
ID 81 should like to see him.
;" I" He shall CALL He will be glad, know
Peter had arisen, and gone as far as th
door, where he stopped and turned.
Susau!" he said, : have an idea. Ism
John saving money with which to pay Oft th
- mortgage on his house ?"
Yes! He has almost enough. The NOR
gage is eleven hundred and fifty dollars, au
=, he has thousand of it in bank.
"Don't say anything to him that have bee
"a "a here and say nothing about Col. Powers"
IN. But, Peter"
M "Trust me, Susan [ think see way
- give him lesson Hold your peace and ava
the result. :"
DO On the following day Peter Cartwright m
th John Ogden in the store, and informed him
at the arrival of Colonel Powers.
y. And he wants to see you, old fellow w
'' you go up with me this EVENING""
Certainly [ will p replied John, gladl
How is heP'
= Comfortable, considering. He has had
, hard time of it, though You knew he had 10
an arm?''
81 heard of his being wounded at AntietaI
And so the arm had to come off p
"Yes!"
Excuse me, Johu have an appointme
= to keep at the bank. will call for you ii
8 evening"
"AIl right I'll be ready" ~
And in the evening Peter called, and q
&C. two went together to the hotel They fOu
-- Colonel Powers in his private room, seated
an easy chair, looking somewhat pale and wor
and Frank, my dear fellow how are you
BAR. cried John, advancing.
do 7" John, old boy | am glad to see yo
the You'll excuse me not rising. | am pref
ss lss: we'll, but not so strong as have been"
iSs n" Keep your scat, Frank ] am glad to 4
w. you back alive; and I'm sure you'll pick
rye in time. >a
- The empty coat-sleeve dangling over Il
rate .,I arm Of the chair was eloquent, aud Johl
nv eyes moistened as he fixed his gaze upon
n And ye. the conversation flowed pleasan
NJ after a time The Colonel had much to t.
ti.. the and his hearers were willing to listen:
n a John rose to depart nrst. lie nau IOlu
lies, 80 4hoa he ahould not ha nuf lafa- ga
n wright would remain while longer.
- On the day following this visit Peter a
oo John met in the street close BY the bank whC