The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1876-08-25
Selected Story.
JOHN OGDEN'S LAST BET

JUHN OGDEN Is IIASL BEIIs
John Ogden had contracted a very bad
habit-a dangerous and sinful habit.
Had any one suggested to him a game Of
cards to be played for money, he would
not have listened and yet be was growing
to be a gambler Notwithstanding. His sin
was that of betting, and it had so grown
upon him that he would bet upon the IT,
suit of things most trivial or most grave.
He was a young man, not more than eight
and twenty, with wife and two children
wife true and loving, and children bright
and good. And John was good, kind
husband, and an even-tompercd, indnigoEt
father. He was book-keePcr in a rercan-
tile house, upon a salary more than suffi-
cient for all lis 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 of-hand, and pay loss,
or take winning, as matter Of course.
"Susan," he said, one evening, with rad
liant face, II have won fifty dollars to-day"
"How?" asked the wife, with q shadow
upon her face.
Il bet fifty dollars that Popkins would
be elected over Shumway, and Popkins
was elected handsomely"
"Whom did You bet with, John z"
''With Charles Ashcroft
"And you took his fifty dollars ?"
"Certainly-why shouldn't I. lie fairly
lost"
"And yolr, I suppose, fairly won"
"And do you think Charles Ashcroft was
able to bear the loss 2"
"That isn't my lookout" >,
~ am sorry, John. / wish yon wonl1
put away that habit. Only evil gan co"
of it."
..rTn >4-% has already come, John. You
bo.rt i growing callous and hard Yin
was when you could not have taken tt,
1o1lars from a poor and needy family, Wit
out a feeling of shame and componetlon'
"Hold On, Susanl I don't want anoth'
lecture I know what am up to. 1(
don't know SO much of the world as
do.n
And with this John Ogden took his h
and went out-went out like co"a'
knowing that # he entered into argam(
with his wife. she would twist him into
labyrinth, from which he could only
cape by an angry bolt.
Half an hour later Peter CartWrli
came in. He was a year or two older Il
John, and was Susan's cousin-onl'.
cousin by blood, but as they had =
brought up from early childhood togeo
+bav were like brother and sister IN
and love. Peter sat down and cha
awhile. and found his cousin not 50 CD
full as usual.
"You are not well Susan r.
"rm well in body, Peter, but sore
heart"
"What is it?'
II fear not to speak with you ifeel5
on worrying about, John. His habit o.
ting is taking deeper and deeper root. root
JaT T he has won fifty dollars from Oh
Ashcroft on the result Of an election.
week he won forty dollars On the
course. | know his temperament. !
headstrong and impulsive Can you
see the danger2"
ayes, Susan, / have seen u this
time, but have not dared 70 speak y
John we're coId-blooded and ealeul'
he might occasionally bet with DANCE
i e 5oing wrong to those from who
won money, but As it is, with his imp
mercurial temperament, there is othe
ger"
u wish | could; but I fear he wfa
listen"
Cartwright took out Lis watch, IF If
he must be going. He had lett f.
the Ashton House, and must So n
him.
a come down. he added, to fst
10 call up with me. You renemff
Powers?"
Certainly said Susan, withIa
ening eye. " was reading Of hfn
paper last night. He has beef
Colonel"
Eyes" returned Peter, 4aRd b.. b.
home minus III arm, lost at Aneta
II should like to see nm:
aHe shall call. He will
know"