New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-04

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lack Of skill, and truth to ssy, i enjoyed
my Temporary triumph, and would, without
any compunctions of conscience, have pock-
eted the losses of my three friends, had fate
80 decided. ~
Az tho night advanced the stake in
creased, and tho game became more and
moro lively. Tho tide Of my successes
turned, and with the ebb lost, not only
all that had gained, but the whole of the
hundred dollars had taken with me to
pay the price Of my amusement during my
proposed absence.
1t was Just tho dawn of day - the game
closed, and felt, then and there, about ~
miserable % any reasonable man can feel.
l remembered how had left my young
wife for the purpose of enjoying week OF
selfish amusement; how / had squandered
more than the savings Of . month in . SIN
gle night, and how, without seeing the
friends I had como to join, would be COM
PEELED, practically, to beg my way back to
Washington.
We had been drinking good deal during
the night; and neither my brain nor stom-
ach accepted the sltustion willingly.
stretched myself on bed and tried to
sleep, but remorse haunted my pillow, and
if lspsed into Q temporary slumber the
game was cruelty revived and l was con-
stsntly attempting the impossibility OF
beating fulls with flushes, and threes with
two pairs.
At length I arose unrefreshed, aud going
to the hotel keeper explained the condition
Of my finances, and asked loan on my
watch till could 60 to Washington and
return. He replied that the persons had
played with were little better than sharpers;
that he had made signs to me not to play,
but ! had failed to heed them, and now l
could only hope to turn my experience to
account in future transactions with
strangers.
With these practical remarks the worthy
landlord told me to put my watch back
into my pocket, and he would advance me
the amount necessary to pay my fare back
to Washington, which amount could bring
back or send back by mail as best suited
my convenience.
accepted the money rendered, heartily
thanked mine host, and taking the first
boat, steamed back toward home chewing
tho cud of sweet and bitter fancies. 1t was
but too apparent that my honeymoon had
not turned out - satisfactorily - had
hoped. Here I was, away from my wife
when should be by her side; had not 90
full q confidence in her - ! had on my
wedding day, and Of my own foolish con-
duct was heartily ashamed. The truth is,
l felt rather like dull mourner 1t fune-
raj than . fresh bridegroom in the first
month Of marriage.
It was after dark when the steamer
landed at the Seventh street wharf, and l
had not . single nickle in my possession
with which to pay my fare in . street car
mp to Pennsylvanis avenue. therefore
walked, moralizing on the way. But the
evening before had all the money l re-
quired; and threw it away with q reckless
disregard of the proprieties; now bad not
. cent, and the old adage, 20 fool and his
money are soon parted" seemed to frame
itself on my tongue and in my ears by some
involuntary process as mysterious as un-
welcome. The unpleasant iteration became
irksome. l tried to think Of something
else, but the attempt was vain. The ha-
initiating accusation repeated itself, as if in
changeable letters it had been written on my
brain by demons hand.
In this frame Of mind l approached the
most famous of the Washington avenues,
when / was startled by slap upon my
shoulder.
looked up with commingled feelings of
anger and curiosity, but at once recognized
an old army friend, whose life l had the
tysburg.
why, Bob" said he, "what's the matter
with you? Have you been attending your
respected mother-in-law's funeral9 Come,
cheer up, old boy; put q little oil in your
lamp and defy the foul fendv'
"Well, James" said l, Il am really glad
to see you; but to tell you the truth, am
in no pleasant mood, and if seek for the
causes l find myself chiefly to blame. am
on my way home, and 80, without further
palley, bid You good evening"
"A good evening"" he repeated; II shall
have no evening, either good or bad, unless
it is spent with you. This, you must re-
member, is my birthday, and the man who
saved my lite must assist me in celebrating
what remains Of it. Come, you look sad.
Let US 60 to the restaurant over the way,
and there you must join me IN washing
down little supper with some genuine |
Krug"
l tried to excuse myself, but my enthusi- |
astic friend would not take no for an an
swer, and was virtually compelled to let |
him have his way. After we went to the |
restaurant he had much to tell me about |
his experiences since had last seen him,
and what with putting oil in my lamp as
he advised, and listening to the interesting
details he furnished, soon became forget
full of my own troubles, and Joined some. |
what heartily in his birthday celebration.
1t was after midnight when our revel
closed and we separated, he to seek his
hotel and my new homo on Capital Hill.
found after l started that I had been
drinking altogether too much. My brains
and my legs we're both confused. Capital
Hill seemed higher than it ever was before,
and the streets had thousand short turns
l had not previously observed. / began to
get disguised with Capital Hill. 1t was
not the airy, comfortable retreat had
fondly dreamed OF. 1t required too much
climbing to get to it, and was altogether
{ov i