Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-04-13
THE CARD-TABLE,
A Story That Tells It's Own Mora

IHE CARD-IABLE.
A Story That Tells Its Own Moral.
Lydia Dearborn sat alone in her little sit
tng-room, ana her couutenance was sad and
Responding. She was not over six-and- twen-
ty, and though her face was pale and wan,
yet she was beautiful. A cheerful fire burned
in the CRATE, for it was winter, and the lamp
upon The comfortable was lighted, for it was
evening. She sat thus, trying to read, when
the door was opened a.d a stranger entered.
She started up with fear at thus seeing a
strange man enter her apartment unbidden.
Lydia said the stranger, "don't you
know mc?'
The young woman sta ted at the sound of
the voice, and the blood rushed to her brow
and temples. She TOOK step forward and
gazed more sharply into the intruders face.
James" she murmured, interrogatively.
Eyes, my sister," he replied. didn't you
know me?"
Instead of answering in words, Lydia rush-
ed forward, sank upon her brothers bosom,
and wept for joy.
"And you didn't know me% said her broth
er, with a smile, after he had taken a seat
"Why no, James," she replied. 'Five years
have altered you wonderfully. But then that
beard all over your face makes good deal
difference"
"All the difference in the world, sister,
said James. Two years ago, while my ship
lay at Canton, had my beard all shaved off,
and when l came aboard some of my own men
did not know me at first"
"Then | wish you'd shave it off now," said
his sister, "for you look more like bear
than you do like James BarroWs."
The brother laughed, and then the CONVEX
satOn ran for awhile upon various topics sug-
gested by the return of the loved one. James
BarrOWs Was now thirty-tWo years OF age,
and had been absent for five years, during
which time he had command of fine ship.
by the way,' said the brother, at the end
of half an hour, II stopped in-street on
my way here, and saw Kate Waldron. She
told me she heard you say you wished your
husband had never known me. Did you ever
say such a thing as that"
Lydia's eyes filled with tears in a moment,
and deep sob broke from her lips. Her
brother was startled. He moved to her side,
and put his arm about her neck.
What is 1t, my sster"' he asked anxiously.
"Alas, James, will tell YOU" she replied
"But first let me assure you that l did not
mean exactly what | said to Kate. You re-
member about five years ago, when you used
to tell me such stories about the gambling
scenes, that Ambrose asked you to teach him
to play 'picquet,' as you called it. You taught
him the game, and for one or two evenings
you went with him to some social card par
ties"
Eyes, yes--I remember all that" said
James.
"Wel," continued Lydia, "the spirit of gam
ing is now fastening itself upon him. l can
see it plainly, though he tries to laugh away
my fears. know it is SO, for have been told
by one who is my friend, and who told me out
OF pure friendship for Ambrose. But I have
not yet cared to let him know how sure my
information is, for he would be angry did he
know that any one had told this to me. Oh,
know his impetuOus nature, and fear he
will be lost ere he Is aware of it. Evil COM
panions are leading him astray, and yet he
thinks them f,iends,"
"And do you think he has gone to the card
table to night"' inquired her brother.
II am afraid So" she replied. "And if he
does-oh! l dare not think of it! He has
good deal OF money with him. Before you
came l was weeping over my f:ars. l have
never let him know how much know con-
corning his course, for feared 'twould only
make him more excited. Alas! I know not
what to do. l do not think he has yet lost
much, but l know he will never leave the
fascinating habit until he is ruined, unless
something can be done to move him"
Otis true.enough, LYDIA" returned the
Captain, II did teach Ambrose to, play
though God knows never meant to teach HIM
to gamble-and will cure him now if can.
Do you think he is at it now?"
81 think he would have been at home before
this time if he had not fallen in with svme OF
his evil associates" said LYDIA"
Then, my dear sister, you rest here while
20 and find him." said James. I'll save him
if CAM :,
"But you'll come back soon," said his sis.
ter.
James stopped, and thought for moment.
81 don't know" he said. But don't You be
worried. No harm shall befall Ambrose to-
hight"
Il
1t was just nine o'clock as Ambrose Dear.
born entered gambling house. His business
had kept HIM later than usual, and having
made good sum in trade that day, he had
determined to stake the amount upon the
altar OF fortune. His wife was right in he1
fears. The card table had gained FASCINATING
power over him, and he had lost some heavy
sums; but on the previous evening he had
been cursed with a turn on winning luck, and
had won back very nearly as much as he had
lost and he was now on his way to continue
his luck! He meant only toplay an hour or
so, and then 60 home. He went up to the
sideboard and took glass of wine, and as
he turned he met stranger, who had appar-
emily come for the same purpose.
Good evening"" said the stranger, in 8
pleasant tone, as he poured out a tumber full
Of warer from the pitcher and drank it
Ambrose returned the sa utation. 81 came ir
to take few minute, rec,eation at cards.
said the stranger, "but find no friends here ,
$50 did l." answered Ambrose, s'and m,
friends are missing"
"Then suppose we take hand or Two, jus
to pass away the time until others come
said the stranger.
with pleasure" said Dearborn.
Accordingly The two sat down, and wer
soon on the most friendly terms. The card
were dealt land for while the playing was OF
small scale nd the luck about even. Bv
and-by Ambrose began to win, and he wen
on until he had won more than invent
pounds He would have felt somewha
ashamed had not Lis antagonist maintaine