Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-07-26
Selected Mistellauv.
WON AT CARDS.

| write n history OF the wicked days |
of 1849 in California. l was then among
the gay and irresponsible ones. Law
during business hours, feast at dinner,
a frolic at night-an easy, careless,
devil-may-care existence. Sobered now
by the experience of years and weighted
with responsibility and cares, | look back
upon the early days of fun and jollity as
a bright point in my history. One night
had sauntered into one of the gambling
hells; an excellent dinner of terrapin and
champagne and other good things, had
disposed me to generous payment for
hospitality, and | was piling red chips
upon spotted green cloth, in evidence of
my devotion to the unknown god At a
late hour had stretched myself upon an
easy lounge half dreaming and half
dazed, when was aroused by the en-
trance of man and a bundle. The
man was drunk, the bundle was baby
-ycar-old, violet-eyed, staring, wide
awake baby. We all recognized Will
Seymour, the gay, reckless, daredevil,
gambler. handsome, well-born, highly
educated, and when drunk, most desper-
ate of all our knights of the green cloth.
We all knew how good and generous
he was to the best and purest of sweet
wives when sober; we knew how terri
BILE and dangerous when inspired by the
demon of drink. We knew with what
generous love he poured out upon her
bis wealth Of affection when he was him
self, and we knew that in his mad mo-
moments an angel from heaven was not
safe from his brutal passions She had
observation-disclosures by single blow,
but starved in her affections; worn out
with anxious. fearful love for her hus-
band she had laid down the weary load,
and passed away leaving to her drunken
and crazed husband this tender little
waif.
What frenzy had prompted him at
this late hour to seize this child from its
cot and bring it down into this gamblers
rendezvous, ! do not know. The pro-
prietor was dealing his game. I will not
name him for this is true story and not
romance. We called him "Blaze.'
1t was his nom de guerre, when we were
fighting his Internal game. He was
educated, well-born, generous, and had
he not been a gambler, would have been
gentleman. He is not gambler now
he lives, and is gentleman.
"In the name of God, Bill Seymour,
what are you doing with that child p
cried "Blaze" as be suspended the deal.
"It's mine" responded Bill.
"Wbere is the mother ?" asked
"Blaze ;" "bave you had another quar-
eel with her? Go home take back her
child for Gods sake, Bill, don't dis
grace your yourself; don't kill your
wife :"
dead, dead" said Will, in tone OF
anguish | shall never forget; dead,
gone to heaven where | have sent her. i
And / shall send myself to hell that 1
shall never trouble her more"
| was curious scene, this gumblingf
room. Every eye was fixed upon mad
Will Seymour as he stood there with his
wide-eyed baby girl every voice was
hushed the players nervously ingeredt
their chips till blaze" spoke again: !
"For Gods sake, Bill, go away. Do
you want money! !,
"What good does money do me Did2
it keep me from killing my wife? Will
it save Maud and me from the end OFF
the wharf to-night2 Hey, Maud baby,
girl, you shall 60 to see your mother this
night. and will go to hell-where Tlb'
meet you, Blaze and all of you" and
he laughed wild, devilish laugh, ano
then kissed bis baby girl and cried, and
then said:
'D--n me, Blaze. / will play the
baby against money enough to leave the
country. III copper the turn, baby
against FIVE red chips" 9
Done" said "Blaze." have nod
and, by heaven, I'll play you z
for this one. II | win her now, Bill
Seymour, on your honor, she is mine.
My wife has an untitled place 10 her !.
heart for a baby's love" Seymour
seemed for moment staggered as by
blow; then, with a reckless laugh, be
said.
''''S>-s5oo against the baby.