River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-05-02
"SEVEN UP.'


asked Aunt Mary, coming into the nur-
sery one evening.
"Oh, we are playing with pack of
cards we have found in the old desk.
Tom knows how, and has taught US old
maid, and solitaire"
"Oh, that's nothing" said Tom, dis
painfully; II can play seven up and
poker Jim taught me, behind the
stable"
"And does your father know it!" Ask
ed Aunt Mary, with pale face.
"Yes ard he said he didn't care; amy
thing to keep me busy, and from scratch
ing the panels of the carriage"
"Ah, mel" said Aunt Mary, and she
pressed her arms tightly round Toms
neck, and kissed his cheek, shaded by
his sunny curls.
Now" she said after a moments re-
Election, g would put away that dirty
pack Of cards. | have very pretty story
to tell you tonight"
"Whats the name of the story2" cried
they all, coming about her.
"Seven Up" she replied.
"What funny name fer story"
Aunt Mary commenced:
"In pleasant farm house, one wintry
eve, after supper and hard days work
at rbreshing, Samuel Gray rose from his
chair with sad weary look, and stood
before the drawer of an old bureau.
Samuel, what is thee doingl' asked
his mother, following him. Thee is not
going out tonight, when SO tired.
"'Yes, motherr he replied, taking up
with sigh, small calico bag, which
seemed well filed.
"'Why, that is the mortgage money
Samuel; what does thee want with that
1t is not due till next spring
~ know it, mother; but must have
this money ts-night,' he answered, in
determined tone.
"'For what, my SOM Thee has always
told me everything. We earned the
money together
81 know it, mother All these years
we have toled to pay off the mortgage
| left on the farm at my fathers death, and
now it has all come to nothing. 81
down in your chair, mother, and / viii
tell you the truth, as l tlust / have ever
| done. / do net fear your blame, as
! have ever loved your praise. This one
GORGEOUS error has taught me great les
sons already. They say women can beal
| trouble better than men.
"Samuels mother trembled very much
| but she sat quietly down. Her face was
pleasan. to look at-healthy and fresh
with clean Quaker cap crimped abou
| it. She could not believe that her SOL
had done anything SO very wrong; bu
all was MYSTERY.
"'Last evening you know how late
STAYED away, and presume you though
| was with Ellen al the farm; but / wa:
| not: more is the pity. went on an er
rand to the tavern, to get some oil for oul
lame horses leg. The bar-room was {
blaze of light, and all the boys were there
and | stepped in to warm. There were
two finely dressed gentleman from Bost
on sitting around table, calling for the
best of port wine, and treating the comp
any. They called me to JOIN so cordi
ally that consented, and ielt rested with
the good fire and celebrating glass
Soon one of the strangers brought out s
pack of cards, and played with Joe Lamp
SON and Jim White. | sat and smoked
| in the corner, and did not take much no
tice to the game, They played for ciga.'
and wine. and then for money, the game
| was seven-up.' Now when / was boy
| used 10 have an excellent run of luck a
cards, and beat every body: and suppose
l was elated with my reputG.ioni To-
when Joe Lampson said, g have wor
| S2O0,' | was astonished, especially wheI
the strangers paid it over as quick ane
easy as they woulI brush off fly.
j Al 4 l.-H tx hoo an mi
such sum, why may not /, who am 81
lucky at cards.n
"sThey urged me take a stand. and tn
sight of the new bills on the Merchants
| Exchange Bank so won upon my bette
1 understanding that drew right up to tn
| table. | thought only of winning neve
thought of losing. We played and won
and played and lost, and lost, and lost
| Oh, mother, lost all this money quicl
/ as a flash; and they tainted me that
1 could not pay; but must pay it, or hay
my honor lost before the village l know
how wrought was, but if hard work vii
| make it up to you, You shall never want
Here Sam broke down and cried like
child.
.sThee is welcome TO take the money
SAM said his mother quietly. i wis
thee would promise never to touch care
again Dear mother, / solmeHly-
[ NO, Sam no oaths. Remember the
will be tempted this very night to try an'
win back this very money.
"sNo, have seen too many wlnks pas
| between those two men. They ar
| gamblers, who have come down to impos'
upon us .green-horns' in the country