Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-07-16

y
you say will clear you up and have
trife ahead w
Lumley never raised his eyes.
cold Pard,n he answered, choking up,
" you're better friend than / deserve
Don't ask me to take anything from you.
went in with my eyes open, and, thank
ing you all the same, I'll have nObody's
help out"
Lumlcy's Pardner laid broad hand on
each of the pitifully-drooping shoulders.
"Old man, when that fever had me
down I'd ha' gone under if it hadn't been
for you. So help me Godl I'd rather ha'
died than have taken what | did at your
hands DO you daie deny me this small
return now? What's a paltry sum of
money between you and me, and the lit
tie mother waitin' at homey"
Lumley put down his head upon that
and cried like baby; the which, if il be
not manly, like him the better for.
There are tears, | am thinking, that are
far from disgracing even the eyes of
man.
"I'm ashamed of myself through and
through for what's gone by" were Lum-
ley's next words, but l can't give it up
now. Matters can't be any worse and
there's a chance of lettering. Perhaps
tonight l shall win it all back
There were the old willfulness and
pride and the new fascination of the
gaming-table. There was no turning him
back, no moving him from that resolve.
Lumley's Pardner took him by the arm.
Either way, I'm bound to see you
through" he said. Come"
So night after night, as Lumley played,
there stood Lumley's Pardner looking on,
Of 1itgIn rtr1,i4n Lot
ter his answering message or the two pas
sengers on board an ocean steamer bound
for California.
Despite Lumley's hopefulness luck
never turned. 1t was the same feverish
unrest and tedious waiting, the sense of
degradation by day and sat night the
brilliantly lighted gambling-hell, the eX-
citement, the fascination, trembling be-
twixt hope and uncertainty, the frequent
potations to steady his shaking nerves,
and, as the night wore on, uncertainty
deepening into failure and disappoint-
ment; and each morning Lumley's Pard-
ner led him slowly and silently away,
until time, wearing on, brought at last
this appeal:
4" For Gods sake, old man, when will
you let up?"
$50 help me Heaven, as soon as | get
back $4,000 / swear never to touch cards
or dice again" And Lumley was dead in
earnest this time. Still, he would accept
nothing from his partner.
The night the Ocean Belle was signaled
into port Lumley's Pardner beckoned
Monte Bill" aside Il reckon you have
heard of Monte Bill, the best brace-dealer
and short-card player west of the old Mis-
sissippi), and some secret understanding
passed between them.
In the midst of game Lumley's Pard-
ner left his post, which was something un,
usual, passing Monte Bill ON his way to
the door. 1t was not generally noticed,
but as he passed he dropped a small, com
pact package into the gamblers hand
then, slouching his sOmbrero over his eyes
he left the hall.
Pausing in the street, Lumley's Pardnel
looked anxiously down. 1t would have
been dark but for the streetlamps, for il
was full two hours to mOonrise; but down
by the wharf shone out the CLEAN of anew
signal light which, poised at masthead
giowered through the dark Ike the fiery
eye of gigantic Cyclops; the Ocear
Belle was in. Ten minutes later, pushing
his way through the bustling crowd tina
thronged the deck, he hurried across th'
plank and made his way straight to th'
cabin.
The past seemed all dream as Ii,
stood again with wildly-beating heart be
fore once familiar form-familiar still
though bearing the maturer crown o
motherhood. Her face was even faire
than of old, blushing with its own wild
rose tints of loveliness, her soft eyes shin
ing up in glad expectation. The broa,
sonbrer0, slouched over his forehead
shaded his features. She saw only bronze
cheeks and strong brown beard Th
tremor in his voice might have mean
, diffidence.
"Pardon me, madam, you are-1 bt
lieve-that is to say L am Lumley'
, Pardner."
She held out white hand cordially.
And my husband!''
, ais well. | am to take you TO him"
, He took timidly the hand che extended
awkwardly the little woman thought, an
r then let it GO
"Give me the child"
G He took the sleeping boy in his arm
e and so burdened piloted the way to ca
' riage waiting close beside the wharf. Pu
I ting her inside, he laid the child gentl
/ almost reverently, upon her lap.
1 "We're to drive round and take u
S Lumley 1t is only a few minutes ride.
a One last searching glance from und,
i the protecting sOmbier0, and he closed Il
carriage door, mounting TO his place b
/ side the driver.
c Oddly enough, Lumley had just tinishC
awinning game with Monte Bill wht
d Lumley's Pardner came hurriedly in. 4
i he slipped quietly back 10 his post Lul
k ley sat eying the "pile"-$2,5OO. /
t, put out his hand TO rake il up, pause
e, drew it back, picked up the cards, al
# began to shuttle for another stake; n
IS that he had forgotten his oath, or Il
IS woman and child he loved, buta long WI
ahead of anything else was the thong
is that luck had turned-that he had only
l. follow it up TO win back all the pa!
Is Lumlev's Pardner stopped TO his ear:
y You'd better throw up the game T
II little mother and your boy are waitll
IL here, outside"
y Lumley started-halfrose to his fe
looked up into his partners face, then
g the cards, then at the door, then wistfu
re back upon the cards and the gold,
ut with heavy sigh he sank into his 81
again, Lumley's Pardner, dashing
IN cards from his hands, raked up the stall
and forced the money into Lumle.
d. pocket.
af g How long will you keep your W
it and child waiting alone, at night, In
~ strange city before the door of a gamblil
ut housey"
is The thrust struck home. Like m
awakening from dream, Lumley spra
IS up, crushed on his hat, and flew to
)n door
Once in the little woman's arms he v
ty safe Lumley's Pardner knew him W
p. enough to be sure of that He never
k lowed him but slipped out at the side-d
ey and the next day saw him back in ca
vat a tritle pale and sterner than was
nd wont, but the clear gray eyes dauntles
ng honest and brave
he And | reckon to this day Lumley ne
nd knows how much he owes his old mate
en- that his Lulie had one true lover whom
he once knew and appropriated to himself
the person of Lumley's Pardner'-O
lie aad MOnttly.
in ~s<-
NJ In Spntancinp two murdererS "a