The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-05-02
"SEVEN UP."

asked Aunt Mary, coming into the nur-
scry one evening.
"Oh, we are playing with pack of
cards we have found in the old desk.
Tom knows how, and has taught us sold
maid and SOLITAIRE"
ooh, that's nothing" said Tom, dis
daintully; II can play seven up and
'poker;' Jim taug ht me, behind the
stable.'
And does your father know it," Ask
ed Aunt Mary, with pale face.
eyes! ard he said he didn't care amy
thing to keep me busy, and from scratch
ing the panels of the carriage'"
"Ah, 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, " I would put away that dirty
pack Of cards. l 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 for story"
Aunt Mary commenced:
"In pleasant farm house, one wintry
eve, after supper and a hard days work
at rhrcshing, Samuel Gray rose from his
chair with a 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, mother" he replied, taking up,
with sigh, a small calico bag, which
seemed we'll filled.
"'Why, that is the mortgage money,
Samuel; what does thee want with thatl
It is not due till next spring.
Il know it, mother; but must have
this money te-night,' he answered, in q
determined tone.
"'For what, my son? Thee has always
told me everything. We earned the
money together
Isl know it, mother. All these years
VIC have toiled to pay off the mortgage
left on the farm at my fathers death, and
now it has all come to nothing. Sit
down in your chair, mother, and I will
tell you the truth, as trust I have ever
done. do net 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 trcmbled very much,
but she sat quietly down. Her face was
pleasan: to look at-healthy and fresh,
with clean Quaker cap crimpca about
ii. She could not believe that her son
had done anything SO very wrong; but
all was a MYSTERY.
Last evening you know how late 1
stayed away. and presume you thought
L was with Ellen at the farm; but I 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
blaze of light, and all the boys were there,
and I 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 tho comp
any. They called me to join so cordi-
ally that I consented, and iclf 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 I 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 1 was a bow
used to have an excellent run of luck at
cards, and beat every body: and suppose
l was clatcd with my reputation; for
when Joe Lampson said, II have won
$780," was astonished, especially when
the strangers paid it over as quick and
easy as they woull brush off a dv. I
thought, If dull Joe has won SO quickly
such sum, why may not I, who am 50
lucky at cards?"
"'They urged me take stand, and the
sight Of the new bills on the m erchants'
Exchange Bank" so won upon nv better
understanding that drew right up to the
table. thought only Of winning never
thought of losing. We played and won,
and played and lost, and lost, and lost.
Oh! mother, l lost all this money quick
as a flash; and they tainted me that I
could not pay; but I must pay it, or have
my honor lost before the village. know
how wrought was, but if hard work will
make it up to you, you shall never want
Here Sam broke down and cried like
child.
"'Thee is welcome to take the money,
SAM said his mother quietly. 4 wish
thee would promise never to touch card
again. Dear mother, solmenly-'
No, Sam no oaths. Remember thee
will be tempted this very night to try and
win back this very money
"'No, have seen too many w1nks pass
between those two men. They are
gamblers, who have come down to impose
upon us "green-horns" in the country.