Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-06-13

jpenniless All--all was gone! His four
hundred pounds-the sum which was to
have cleared him from debt-the 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 bor-
row something to commence again to win
back something, but no one would lend.
He made his way to the street, and with
out noticing his way he staggered on. By
and by he 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 look up, and by the moon
light he could see the dark face of the
man who had ruined him.
"Why do you sit here in the cold ?"
asked the stranger.
s'Leave me!'' cried Ambrose, bitterly.
''Oh, would never see you more from
this timel'
''But perhaps may help you," replied
the the other. ''You are young enough to
learn"
"Learn - 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.
"Come come" 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 a man,
that you will never stake any amount at
hazard again-that never again will you
play at any game of chance for the value of
anything-and will return to you every
penny have won from you to night -
Ambrose for moment stood like man
in dream. Then he caught his compan-
ion by the arm.
"You do not trihe 2" he said in a hoarss
whisper.
Give me the promise, and see," replied
the stranger.
Ambrose clasped his hands, and turn
oath embracing just the proposition which
had been made to him; and when he had
done, his eyes sank to the earth, and no
burst into tears. The stranger took roll
from his pocket, and handed it over.
"Here." 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. Ny way is toward - street,
$50 is mine,' whispered Ambrose, as
he clutched the money.
'sAh-then We'll walk together said
the stranger.
''But tell me what this means?" said
Am brose, theoretically. ssWho are you,
STRIP
"Never mind now," replied the stran-
ger. II shall see you again, and then l
will explain. But let us be on our way,
for it is cold here"
On the way the stranger kept up such
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 feel
ings had gone back into their wonted
channel
81 would invite you in,'' said Ambrose,
'.but''-
''Never mind,'' said the stranger. "Just
let me step into the passage, for want to
light my cigar.''
or course Ambrose could not object to
this, and as he opened his door the stranger
followed him in. He walked through the
passage, 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 a
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 to hear the
said individual speak somewhat jocularly
as follows:
"Well, sister, you see I've brought HIM;
and we are both of us all right, I can as
sure you.''
For a moment Ambrose was wonder
struck, but the truth quickly flashed upon
him.
"Jim-Jim Barrows i" he gasped.
Captain Barrows, at your service,
sir" he 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 that rushed up in his bosom. and
then sinking down into a chair, he burst
into tears. His wife uttered quick cry,
and started forward.
''Don't be afraid gasped Ambrose. "I'm
safe safe. But I can't help this. Tell
her all now, for she has right to know"
| The stout captain drew his sister upon
mis- knee, and then related to her all that
had happened since he left her.
"Ah, Ambrose" he concluded, ''the mo-
ment saw you cake the last ten SOW
ereigns from your pocket, knew gaming
would soon ruin you, and when saw you
draw forth the package of notes, only
knew that l should take every one from
you, and that any experienced card-p!ayer
could have done the same. Having taught
you your first lesson in picquet, resolved
on giving you the second lesson. 1 hope
it may work well.''
And it did work we'll. Captain Barrows
remained with his sister a month, and
then he went away. At the end of year
he came again, and this time he found
Lydia as happy as aprincess