The daily gazette., 1877-03-19


With compressed lips, and a heart still
as death, did Ernest Clifford watch the
ending of the game that was TO decide
his fate. But the die was cast-it was
too late to turn back, and he rose from
thetable--a beggar. ,G sAaI lnR ,l-u.l
For moment he stoed almost para
lyzed. Then q sense of his utter de-
gradation rushed like torrent upon
his soul, and with his hand pressed
upon his heart he staggered from the
hall. Is1ei % aoFea ,inii5s s'nnnr.e !.
With tottering step he took his
course he scarcely knew whether.
Turning down a narrow street, hesoon
reached the waters edge. The moon
shons brightly on the dancing waves,
He gazed down upon them, and q wild
thought entered his mind.di g9iq0aweH n
Wretch, wretch thatl amt why
should liver" said he to himself. 81
have lost fortune, friends, everything
that can make life desirable! I cam
not bear the disgrace, the scorn and
jeefs Of an unfeeling world. fTis but
q step from life to deAth---othersh have
gone before me, and why shoald Lnot
follow? Heavensi" he exclaimed, as
the magnitude of his guilt rushed on
his mind. "To what o strait am / re- :
ducsd. Turn which way / may, the
dark spirit Of evil pursues me, an
goads me on to commit crime
which my soul revolts. Yet ] must
l mustl" ~ .rI
. With firm step he approached the
water. A strong hand was laid on his
shoulder, and he was drawn forcibly
back. He turned to see who was the
intruder, and beheld him the tall form
of the unknown gambler.
Crash man-what would you dor"
said he, as he relinquished his hold.
II would diel" was the reply; "and
wny would you preventitp You have
robbed me of fortune and character,
and L" L4m. ~, % n.t.e
"You would rob the world Of soul.
and sink still deeper the blot upon
your memory"
"Oh Godl to what am / brought"
exclaimed Ernest. ~ am ruined
disgraced forever. The demon of
evil pursues me wherever / 60, and
renders my very,lifesa curse"
ernest Clifford, refiectl" said the
stranger, slowly and solemnly; "re-
member your life is not your own, and
you have no right to destroyi it. You
have signed deeply; but do not add to
your crime the guilt of suicide-do
not rush into the presence of your
Maker, with the stain of murder rest
ing on your rsoul."
"Wh hat shall l do?"
"Reflect and be wise. Promise me
that you will return to your home, and
all will yet be well. You shall know
more tomorrow. Will you propise?"
Something to the appearance Of the
speaker struck the mind of the young
man. The tone, manner and whole
bearing were SO familiar and kind that
he could not refuse. With falter-
ing voice he promised, and the gamb-
Ter led him from the water.
The door of Ernest's room was
opened on the following morn, and o
sealed note handed to him. Tremb-
ling, he opened the letter and learned
the startling fact that the unknown
gambler, the mysterious sstranger-was
none other than Charles seymour! He
had saved him from ruin!1 The note
dropped from Ernest's hands, and the
tears started in his eyes. -
1t is needless to say, that he never
again sought the gambling saloon.
Profiting by the terrible lesson he had
received, and with the original amount
of his fortune again in his possession,
he went into business, and in a few
years became one Of the richest and
most respected men in the city.