The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-08-24
Selerf Storr.
A DARK NIGHTS WORK.

"Going to try your luck at faro, Blais-
dell 7"
No." was the answer; 81 never gam
ble I'm only going up to look on"
"Hunph! I'm off Goodnight"
"Good-night
Harry Blaisdell paused on the stone
steps of a moderate looking house, sit
uated in upper Broadway, and watched
his friends manly form until it disap.
peared in the crowd that thronged the
brilliantly lighted street. There Was a
sad, halt wistfnl look in his handsome,
brown eyes, seldom to be seen there
II wonder what has come over me"
he muttered, with an impatient shrug
''Somehow it seems as if to night were
going to be turning poiutin my career.
l can't conquer the impression any more
than l could have overcome the incom-
prehensible magnetism that drew my
tfegt-to JntE place of all oIners.'.-zz- =
He glanced up quickly at the dark
front of the building before which he
stood, hesitated still another instant, as
if tempted to follow his friend down
town, after all, then slowly turned the
door-knob and went in.
He found himself in spacious hall,
dimly lighted by single gas jet. A
staircase, heavily carved and thickly
carpeted, led uR from the centre, and an
attendant stood leaning against the wall
near marble Ariadne, little to the
right of the entrance.
Harry Blaisdell barely nodded to the
man, and then passed up stairs as il
we'll acquainted with the place, though,
truth to tell, he had never penetrated to
the vile gambling den-for such, in re.
ality, it was-but once before in all his
life.
Pushing open the nearest door upon
the landing, he entered large, brilliant.
ly-lighted room, furnished with the most
exquisite taste A velvet pile covered
the floor; soft folds of fllmy lace screen
ed the windows; handsome mirrors
adorned the walls, and heavily carved
divans were arranged about the apart
ment
In one corner stood massive side.
board, all of glitter with cut-glass, ant
silver, and swinging gas-jets. Harry
hurried shudderingly past it, as if i
had been some hundred-headed dragon
and entered the room beyond.
Here the great game of faro was GO
ing on round green baize table at The
upper end The hour was te,and very
few persons were in the room, though
occasionally mnttered curse or a dis
cordant laugh issued from apartments
beyond, indicating that the place was
not deserted by any means, and tha
different games were going on.
Harry paused near the faro-table, anG
his glance at once singled out a hand
some, well-dressed young gentleman
who, in company with two other mer
of quite different stamp, seemed to b'
, playing against the game.
The young man was frightfully pale
his eyes were bloodshot, but burned will
an unnatural glitter, and the hand rest
ing against one corner of the tabl,
trembled like an aspen leaf.
; "I'm ruined" he cried out, suddenly
; with fearful oath.
"Humph," said the dealer, sneeringly
"Got enough of it for one night, eh ?
The young man hesitated a momen,
pressed both hands against his burnin
temples, and exclaimed, in hoars
voice:
II believe you have swindled me =
But it's of no use complaining. T.
, fight it out with you yet"
He tore diamond pin from his shirt
front, and slung it across the table, wit
the words:
"Lend me hundred on that
Gail right said the dealer, with an as
t suring smile; and he passed over check
for the required amount.
8 Again the game proceeded.
Harry almost held his breath as
5 watched its progress, and saw gres
beads of perspiration on the youn
1 mans forehead.
|, Luck was still against him, and b
II lost.
J. "L demand another chance to redeel
d myself" he cried, hoarsely; and th
lime handsome gold watch and chai
e was pushed into the dealers hand.
At this instant two moist fingers tai
ped against Harry's cheek, and lee
IS ing, sarcastic face was pressed close u
e to his own.
i 81 say, sir" piped shrill voic
IS "wbat precious fool that youngster
IS making of himself. He ought to kno
e he is PLAYING against decoYs, and b.