Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-04-13
such good humor and smiled so kindly when

Twas the best hand by far that had bseD out
during the game, it being the first "quatOrze"
he had seen during the evening He bet a
sovereign. His antagonist covered it and
went another sovereign higher.
81 have an excellent hand" said the stran-
ger, with light laugh. II have held better
ones but this is good. I shall bet high on
it,"
Ambrose did not speak. He was excited.
He was afraid his antagonist would mistrust
how good his hand was and stop betting. But
the betting went on until Ambrose had placed
his last coin on the table,"
''ShallI go higher%" asked the stranger.
Gas you please" said Ambrose.
"Thel must say another fifty" replied the
stranger. by tie trump of trumps! you shall
have chance to win this time"
Ambrose hesitated moment, ard then he
package of bank-notes. There were four
hundred pounds. 1t was sum he had
drawn from the bank that very day. 1t was
the accumulation of four years. labor and
economy, for the purpose OF paying for his
house and shop. He drew out tifty-pound
note and covered his antagonists last stake.
He hesitated for a moment, and then he
drew another fifty and event that" over. The
stranger covered" the fifty and went a
hundred, more" Ambrose covered the hun
hundred, but he dared bet no higher, and he
called for his companion's hand The stran-
=
Ambrose uttered deep groan as he folded
bis cards and placed them on the pack.
Upon my word! that's hard, my friend"
said the stranger; "but better luck next time.
Come! I'll deal for you this time"
A new hand was dealt, and this time Am
vive. Next he won fifty pounds more. He
went and got another glass Of wine, and then
returned in better spirits. But at the rext
hand he lost O e hundred. His 8 irits sank
again. But he was now resolved to play
carefully and win back what he had lost and
There is no need of following the game
step by step. The man who held those cards
was not a professed gambler, nor did he now
gamble at all for his own amusement. But
he had been among gamblers much, and he
could handle cards as he pleased. And more
still, he could handle nervous, excitable
man as he pleased. He kept Ambrose in
good humor-let him have occasional flashes
of auckland finally, just as the clock struck
eleven, Ambrose Dearborn stdggard up from
the Undergraduates! All-all was gone! His
four hundred pounds-tne sum which he had
seen steadily growing for the last four years
was now swept away.
The young tradesman staggered from the
house-he tried to borrow first; to borrow
something to commence again to win back
something, but no one would lend. He made
his way to the street, and without noting his
way staggered on ny anu Dy ne came TO
narrow alley which led down to the water
side, and he turned down upon the wharf and
sat down on an old spar. He had been there
but few moments when he felt hand upon
his shoulder. He looked up, and by the moon
lighI he could see the dark face Of the MAJ
who had ruined him.
why do you sit here in the cold?" asked
the stranger.
Leave mel" cried Ambrose bitterly. ooh,
1 would never see you more from this time'
But perhaps may help you," replied the
other. You are young enough to learn"
'Learnw exclaimed Ambrose. oh, great
heavens! and have l not learned this night
what never-never"-
The young man burst into tears, and his
sobs were deep and painful.
''CoIue, Gomez said the stranger, "stand up
and trust me, and may yet help you''
There was something so kind in the voice
that Ambrose could not resist, and he arose to
his feet
Ambrose Dearborn" said the strange man,
II have this evening taken from you more than
four hundred pounds, and do not think you
can afford to lose it, Here we are, alone and
before God. Now promise me, upon your
honor as man, that you will never stake any
will you play at any game OF chance for the
value of anything-and will restore to you
every penny have won from you to-night!"
Ambrose for moment stood like man
in dream. Then he caught his companion
by the arm.
''You do not trihe?' he said IN horse
whisper.
Give me the promise, and see," replied the
stranger.
Ambrose clasped his hands, and turning his
eyes toward heaven, he made an oath embrac-
ing just the proposition which had been made
to him; and when he had done, his eyes sank
to the earth, and he burst into tears. The
of nd
handed it over.
"Hcre, " said he, "here is the full sum--every
penny-just as took it from you. And now
let us walk up into the town again. My way
| is toward street."
$50 is mine," whispered Ambrose, as he
| clutched the money.
"Ah-then we'll walk together" said the
| stranger.
But tell me what this means?" said Am.
brose, energetically. who are you, sir?"
"Never mind now" replied the stranger
81 shall see you again, and then I will explain.
But let us be on our way, for it is cold here.'
| On the way the stranger kept up such a
rattle of conversation that Ambrose not only
had no chance to mention the subject of the
evenings transaction, but by the time he had
reached his own door his feelings had gone
| back into their wOnted channel.
81 would invite you in" said Ambrose
''but"-
| Never mind,' said the stranger. "Just let
mt step into the passage, for want to light
my cigdr."
Ofcourse Ambrose could not object to this
and as he opened his door the stranger fol
lowed him in. He walked through the pas
sage, and as he opened the door of the sitting
| room his companion was at his back.
Lydia sat at her table, and her face was pale
but she had not been crying, for the words
her brother had spoken to her before he went
| out had inspired her with strange hope
She arose to her feet, and while her husband
was wishing that his companion had remained
in the passage, he was not little startled tt
hear the said individual speak some what jocu
larly as follows:
''Well, sister, you see I've brought him
and We are both of us all right, can assure
you"
For moment Ambrose was wonderstruck
but the truth quickly flashed upon him.
"Jim-Jm Barrows!" he gasped.
captain Barcows, at your service, sir" ht
replied. '.Ha, ha, ha!-you didn't know me
He's just found me out, Lydia.'
Ambrose tried to laugh, but he could not
He struggled moment with the feelings tina
rushed up in his bosom, and then sinking
down into chair, he burst into tears. His
Don't be AFRAID, gasped Ambrose. In
safe-safe: But can't help this. Tell her
Jim-tell her all. Tell her all now, for she
has right to know"
The stout captain drew his sister upon hi
knee, and then related to her all that had hap
pened since he lett her
"Ah, Ambrose he concluded, "the momen
saw you take the last ten sovereigns from
your pocket, | knew canning would soo1
ruin you, and when saw you draw forth the
package of notes, only knew that l shoule
sake them every one from you, and that an,
experienced card player could have done thu
same. Having taught you your first lesson il
picquet, resolved on giving you the seconc
lesson. l hope it may work we'll"
And it did work well. Captain Barrows re
manned with his sister month, and then h,
went away. At the end of year he cam,
again, and this time he found Lydia as ham,