Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-04-28
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
ssOh, that's nothing" said Tom. dis
painfully; 81 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.
eyes! and he said he didn't care; any
thing to keep me busy, and from scratch
ing the panels of the carriage"
. All, me!' 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 moments re-
Election, f" I would put away that dirty
pack OF cards. have very pretty story
to tell you tonight"
What's the name Of the story9" cried
they all, coming about her.
"Seven Up" she replied.
"What funny name for story
Aunt Mary commenced:
sin pleasant farm house, one wintry
eve, after supper and hard days work
at threshing, Samuel Gray rose from his
chair with sad weary look, and stood
before the drawer of an old bureau
Samuel, what is thee doing?' asked
his mother, following him. thee is not
going out tonight, when so tired.
"'Yes, mothern he replied, taking up,
with Sigh, small calico bag, which
seemed we'll filled.
''Why, that is the mortgage money,
Samuel; what does thee want with that2
1t is not due till next spring
Il know it, mother; but must have
this money te-night,' he answered, in a
determined tone.
"'For what, my son? Thee has always
told me everything. We earned the
money together
Isl know it, mother. All these years
we have toiled to pay off the mortgage
left on the farm at my fathers death, and
now ct has all come to nothing. Sit
down in your chair, mother, and I will
tell you the truth, as tlust I have ever
done. l do not fear your blame, as l
have ever loved your praise. This one
gorgeous error has taught me great les
sons already. They say women can bear
trouble better than men,
"Samuel's mother trembled very much,
but she sat quietly down. Her face was
pleasan. to look at-healthy and fresh,
with clean Quaker cap crimpea about
it. She could not believe that her son
had done anything SO very wrong; but
all was a MYSTERY.
Last evening you know how late l
stayed away, and presume you thought
was with Ellen at the farm; but was
not: more is the pity. I went on an er-
rand to the tavern, to get some oil for our
| lame horses leg. The bar-room was a
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 tclt rested with
the good fire and exhilarating glass
Soon one of the strangers brought out a
pack of cards, and played with Joe Lamp
son and Jim White. 1 sat and smoked
in the corner, and did not take much no.
tice to the game. They played for cigars
and wine, and then for money, the game
was seven-up.' Now when was boy
used to have an excellent run of luck al
cards, and beat every body: and suppose
l was elated with my reputation; fo1
when Joe Lampson said, 81 have wor
$780," was astonished, especially wher
the strangers paid it over as quick anc
easy as they would brush off fly.
thought, 6 If dull Joe has won so quickly
such a sum- why may not l, who am Sc
lucky at cards?"
"They urged me take stand, and the
sight of the new bills on the Merchants
Exchange Bank" so won upon my better
understanding that l drew rightup to thu
table. 1 thought only of winning never
thought of losing. We played and won
and played and lost, and lost, and lost
Oh! mother, lost all this money quick
as flash; and they tainted me that
could not pay; but must pay it, or have
my honor lost before the village. know
how wrong it was, but if hard work viii
make it up to you, you shall never want.
Here Sam broke down and cried like I,
child.
"'Thee is welcome to take the money
sam,' said his mother quietly. Il wisl
thee would promise never to touch care
again. Dear mother, I solmenly
NO, Sam no oaths. Remember the,
will be tempted this very night to try ant
win back this very money.
"'No, have seen too many wlnks pass
between those two men. They ar
gamblers, who have come down to impos,
upon us sgreen-horns" in the country
When think how many hard days worl
I have performed, and how many chicken
and eggs you have raised to sell, all TO
one good object, and that my cursed foil.
has ruined all, am ready to despair
$ shall not live long to want money
Sam; only thought Of thee ana Ellen
who is soon to become thy wife Sam
uel groaned, and left the house with ,
heavy heart. He knew by the twinklin,
light across the fields that Ellen sa
watching for his visit, but he sped on to
ward the village, until, stamping tn
snow from his shoes, he entered ono
more the tavern. Again, in privat
parlor, he found the companions Of
| previous night, He went firmly up t
the table and deposited his money. 6
|