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

When think how many hard days work
| have performed. and how many chickens
and eggs you have raised to sell, all foI
one good object, and that my cursr folly
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
uei 2roaned. and left the house with a
heavy heart. He knew by the twinkling
light across the fields that Ellen sat
watching for his visit, but he sped on to-
ward the village, until, stamping the
snow from his shoes, he entered once
more the tavern. Again, in a private
parlor, he found the companions of a
previous night, He went firmly up to
the table and deposited his money. Il
have come The said, in bold voice, 'to pay
you what you won from me last night
The man merely waved his hand on
which shone jewel, toward him, in a
negligent manner and went on with his
game.
'oh mere trifle,' he said; time
enough by and by"
"Sam turned toward the fire, with a
groan. Evil thoughts took possession oil
his mind. Can some men take money
thus easily by the toss of card or the
turn of diel And yet after ali my hon.
est labor, must l be turned from my
humble home, and my happy prospects
broken up for life by two desperate gam
blers?" Fierce passions seemed at wa
within him, as the sweet vision of former
hopes passed away. He did not notice
that there were mutterings of wrath at
the table, and one after another was
fieeced in his turn.
Bries of unfair. unfair were met by
contemptuous sneers from the successful
,nen who pocketed the gains.
"Samuel's little roll Of bills still laid
upon the table, and he could not bear to
leave it there. 1t seemed sacred money
How little my father thought when he
left me the farm, with only this mortgage
as an incumbrance, that / should prove
so recreant to my solemn engagement to
take care of my dear mother. Oh! God
forgive me and spare me, that may do
better in the future And that moment
softer emotion sprang up in h s heart.
He felt loathing for sin Of all kinds
that he had never felt Beforehand a de-
termination to shun even the smallest
deviation from duty, if its retribution was
so dreadful.
This was more desirable state OF
mind; and a humble spirit breated its
blessings over him, as he rose up and
buttoned his thin coat over his breast,
again to face the cutting wind of the
wintery night.
"About this time a handsome sleigh
had driven up to the door of the tavern.
The horses were feced with foam, and
the frost hung about their tramppings.
showing how swiftly they had travelled.
Two strong men leaped from it, and hast
ily entered the house. The host came
obsequently to the door. They drew him
aside.
"sWe have tracked two
notorious blacklegs from Boston
here, and thiaking they might be making
little mischief, have come down. Indi-
cate, say, the room where they now are,
or shall we arrest you as ar accomplicef
Quietly.r as the CLEAN of a revolver
shone in the cold moonlight In there,
in there = stammered the landlord, tremb
ling with alarm. The detectives came
very softly, but not so gently that the
gamblers did not listen intently. One
said, Throw the cards in the fire! raise
the window bark Just then the door
was violently thrown open. An, my
bearties, we'll met We have had quite a
drive for you, adjusting handouts all
the time, as though they were used to the
business, in spite Of the desperate strug-
giles of the two men.
"'Now, my birds, we will see what
you have caged' said these minions OF
the law, and forthwith began TO pick
their pockets, having laid them at length
on the floor.
Counterfeit bills in plenty, some
golden,eagles, silver. Get pen and paper,
landlord and state the amount Now,
young men, the Sheriff, said, addressing
Samuel Grey and his friends, w2o stood
in silent amazement beho ding the scene,
we might consider you under arrest for
gambling, but presume you were just
green enough to be entrapped by the
Boston youths. Didn't understand the
WAYS of our wicked city. However, |
will Just advise ryou to beware of bad
company TOR the future; it does not lead
to pleasant results
"sHow much have you been robbed OF
this night?'
"There is my money" said Samuel,
as each one stated the amount, and point
ed to the roll upon the table.
"Well, take it, and go instantly,
said the men.
"Samuel obeyed; and when once more
in the silent fields, and within sight OF
his mothers cottage, he fell on his
knees and wept aloud, giving thanks to
God as he had never done before. lie
was not yet twenty-one; life was before
him; hope again dawned; let us trust
that the sad lesson was not In vain.
"The old mother could not knit the
long, blue wooden sock that evening. She
paced the low room with prayers and
tears. Never, in her lonely widowhood,
had sorrow come so heavily upon her
heart; and when the door opened and
Ellen stole gently in, to inquire what was
the matter, missing her lover, Aunt
Rachel threw her arms about her neck
and gave way to grief. So Samuel found
| them when he returned, most unexpect-
edlv, to change their hearts to JOY
II do believe" exclaimed Tom, who
has listened attentiyely, 'that this is the
very cottage where we are visiting grand
ma. Imean to ask Uncle Sam when ne
comes home, tonight, from the woods
for grandma's name is Rachel"
There was general shout, aad the
cards were voted out unanimously, and
consigned to the fire, with much merri-
ment. while Aunt Mary hoped, secretly,
that her nephew had learned lesson be
would not soon forget, from the story OF
his uncle's one sad fault.
Worfh. the Man Nilliner.