The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-10-11
The Last Of the Gamblers at wies
baden.


Wiesbaden, however, has ono OF the
old set left. who il regarded as q
rare specimen Of extinct species q kind
Of ttifobite or feeisgosaurus, or some ether
fossil monster, belonging TO q former
stratum of society. His history may
serve to point moral, though Il is
hardly picturesque enough to adorn o
tale. He Is an English man by birth.
of an old historic name, and o family
Of distinction and aristocratic connec-
ton. After the usual education of the
sens cf the wealthy and high-born at
ono Of the English public schools, Ea-
ton or Harrow, and perhapsa short res
idenco ut either Oxford or Cambridge,
an appointment in the civil service of
India was procured for him through
the influence of his powerful friends.
Promotion was sure, and the proHpect
Of respectability and Independence
certain. II not wealth and q Governor
Generalship; but the perverse youth,
becoming impatient Of his flow but
regular advance, threw up his appoint.
ment. aud pocketing whatever salary
was due, and such money as an indui.
gent father might allow him, made his
way to the Continent of Europe.
Wiesbaden was then in the fullness Of
her gambling splendor, and the youth
was soon sporting in its fatal blaze.
His pockets were cleaned out again and
again. as they were replenishod by gem
erous remittances from home, Finally.
his father died. leaving him as young.
or son some e20, 900 for his share OF
the patrimony. This was soon skaked
and gone; but fortune occasionally
smiled upon him, and ono night no
went homo with some $4,000 In his
pockets. He hastened next morning
to deposit this handsome sum In the
hands Of his banker, and made known
TO all his relatives and friends that ho
he had hidden farewell forever g. the
green tables of roulette and beaks ef quar-.
a1lfe, and was resolved 70 live n pure
life. His resolutions, however. hardly
survived the time for response OF con.
graduation from his family in England
to his welcome announcement. In less
than week he had withdrawn aud lost
all his money, and was again beggar,
suing for the bounty Of his friends. who
now, believing him to be incorriRible.
settled upon him an annual pittance.
barely enough to keep him in daily
bread and beer. and supply him with .
yearly suit Of coarse broadcloth. So
inveterate, however. was his passion
for gambling, that he never failed. al
the very moment Of receiving his small
| quarterly allowance. to stake il all on
the green cloth. Now, at last that
Wiesbaden has got rid Of gambling and
its seducements, the old sinner n said
to be penitent; but IL suspected that
Il Is his vice that has left him, not he
his vice, rs the cynical Rochefoucauld
aays of old age in its supposed reforma-
ton. He continues 70 live in Wies.
baden partly from choice and partly
from necessity, for he wants the means
Of going elsewhere, and, besides. q
loath. no doubt, TO leave his habitual
beer house and fayorite sausage sbon-
and perhaps the scene Of his former de.
lights. We have heard that at ono time
he was one OF the gaye8t Of the moths that
huttered night after night about the
gas-lights OF the gambling saloon. In
his youth-for he has spent q larger
part of a life OF more than three
score years in Wicsbaden-ha was re-
garded aa the very pink Of fashion. was
the chosen companion Of the Young
bucks Of aoH and rank, and shone not
an aniavored bean in the eyes of the
miscellaneous fine danes Of this CAV
resort. He is now q pitiful old man.
who goes shambling about the streets
in the shabiest Of suits, with his old
felt hat over his eyes, his head hang.
ing. his body bent, aud his ungloyed
hands deep in the great Gaping pock.
cts OF his loose shooting jacket. as il he
were searching for u stray form, never.
alas destined to be found. He Is the
very personiheation OF shady sIouchi.
ness and dispairing dreariness, with
never reminder about him of his for
mer gentility, save AZ 10 may be an oc-
casional clean collar and Q dangling
eye-glass. -Hapsr's Magazine.