Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-15
drifted out of my grasp. | drank
heavily, quarreled frequently, sepa-

drlfted out of my grasp. | drank
heavily, quarreled frequently, sepa-
rated from friends, and, when thirty
five years of age, had not a dollar of my
fortune. | had got down lower and
lower, and, at the age mentioned,
lived in the garret instead of the
parlor in which 1 had been reared.
My wifa's velvet gowns and fine lin
worse than any of our servants III
former days had been permitted to
wear. In the midst of this horrible
state OF affairs L made an alarming
discovery.
Poor Camille, my wife. was threat
ened with death. Her face told me
that consumption would kill her, but
lcouId do nothing, ,forlorn aud friend
less as was. The disease grew upon
her. and when, after several weeks,
[ was sufficiently well to go about,
knew human aid could never avail
her. Made desperate at her ao-
preaching demise, my wretched con-
dition, and other narrowing circum-
stances, l'once more sought the gam
bling table this time in a different
role-a roper. Yes, sir, a roper L,
| who was the son of one of the veal
thiest southerners, descended to the
life of a roper for gambling house.
The thought was bitter enough to
make me throw myself into the Mis-
| sissippi,and only my wife aud daugh-
ter caused me to do otherwise. l
f1ourished, though; soon rose to q
dealer, brought my dear ones out of
their misery, ,and prolonged my wife's
health somewhat, though she soon
died"
"What did you do them" asked
the reporter.
"Contimued with the gamblers,
won back Il great portion Of my loss
e., a:,h was once more living in the
lap OF luxury, when more misfortune
overlook me. This time nv daugh-
ter was the cause. | had always man
aged to keep her at school. She was
"a bright as she was beautiful. A
pretty-faced, rosy-cheeked, light
haired little darling, whom cared
more for than all the world besides.
Pleasant i'll conversation, agreeable
in manner, rich but not gaudy in
dress, loving and gentle IN DISPOSE
ton, she charmed all with whom she
came in contact, and had numerous
admirers. One OF these young men
who visited her was the soh of
wealthy banker; handsome, WELL
educated, and winning in manner, he
soon captivatcd my little one, and
made her believe he would marry
her
The dear little dove believed him,
and was so wrapped up in his prom
ises that she kept the affair Il secret
from her father, until ct last he dis
covered how matters stood, and for
bade the fellows presence in his
house. The little dove of a daugh-
ter pined away from this time on
her plump little cheeks lost their
roseate hue, her lips their cherry
blossom, her eyes their sparkling
luster, and her voice its rich melody.
Can you understand why"
81 have an idea, sir," said the one
who listened: ''but may be wrong
l suspect crime had been commit
ted. Was it sop
Yes, it was true. Even as had
been done the mother, so was done
the daughter. A few months ended
the affair. Poor little Emily died in
giving birth to a child. The little in
fanL followed its mother, and they
now rest side by side under the sod,
While |, the only survivor of the fam
lily, am miserable, God-forsaken |
wretch, doomed to carry out weary
existence for Years to come. Gam
bling did it. So will it do to others,
so has it done 10 thousands. God |
help us God help u.s." And the |
inan forgot that he was a gambler
and an outcast as he wept over the |
bitter memories of wasted life. !