The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-08-01
THE CARD-TABLE.

six-and-twenty, and though her fac
was pale and wan, yet she was beauti
ful.-A cheerful fire burned in the CRATE
for 1t was winter, and the lamp upoI
the centre-table was lighted. for it wa
evening. She sat thus, trying to read
when the door was opened and a strane
er entered. She started up with fear a
seeing a strange man enter her apart
ment unbidden.
" LYDIA" said the stranger, "d,n'
you know me?'
Ihe young woman started at thu
sound of the voice, and the blood rush
ed to her brow and temples. She tool
a step forward and gazed more shai pl,
into the intruder's face.
"Jamesr she murmured, interroga
lively.
eyes, my sister. Didn't you know
me 7" he replied.
Instead of answering in words, Lydia
rushed forward, sank upon her broth
er's bosom and wept for joy.
"And You didn't know me 2" said her
brother, with smile, after he had take n
a scat.
Why, no, James," she Replied
"tivc years have altered you wonder
fully. But then that beard all over
your face makes good deal of differ
ence."
"All the difference in the world, sis
ter" said James. "Two years ago.
while my ship lay at Canton, l had my
beard all shaved of, and when | came
aboard, some of my own men didn't
know me at first"
"Then | wish you'd shave it all off
OF L.. T..
more like bear than you do like James
Barrows."
The brother laughed, and then the
conversation ran for while upon vari-
GUS topics suggested by the return of
the loved one. James Barrows was
now thirty-two years of age, and had
been absent five years, during which
time he had command of fine ship.
"By the way" said the brother at the
end OF half an hour, l stopped in -
street on my way here, and saw Kate
Waldron. She told me she heard you
wished your husband had never known
me. Did You ever say such thing as
thatT
Lydia's eyes filled with tears in mo-
ment, 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 it, my sister," he asked,
anXiously.
"Alas, James, will tell you," she
replied. "But first let me assure Won
That did not mean exactly what | said |
to Kate. You remember about five
years ago, when you used to tell me
such stories about 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 eve
nings you went with him to some social
card parties"
eyes, yes-l remember all that" said
James.
"Well," continued Lydia, "the spirit
OF gaming is now fastening itself upon
him. l can see it too plainly, though he
lries to laugh away my fears. 1 know
it is so for have been told by one who
is my friend, and who told me out ofl
pure friendship for Ambrose. But l!
have not yet dared 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 impet-
uous nature, and am afraid he will be
lost ere he is aware of it. Evil compan-
ions are leading him astray, and vet he
thinks them friends"
"And do you think that he has gone
to the card table to-night?" inquired her
brother.
81 am afraid so," she replied. "And
If he does-oh | dare not think of III
lie has good deal of money with him.
Refore you came l was weeping over
my fears. l have never let him know
how much knew concerning his course,
for l feared 'twould only make him
more excited. Alas! know not what
to do. do not think he has vet LOST
much, but 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, 81 did teach Ambrose to
play-though God knows ! never meant
to teach him to gainble-and will cure
him now, if l can. Do you think he is
at il now2"
81 think he would have been home
before this time if he had not fallen in
with some of his evil associates" said
Lydia.
Then my dear sister, you rest here
while l go and find him." said James.
"Pll save him if / can"
"But you'll come back soon?" said
his sister.
James stopped and thought for a mo-
ment. 81 don't know" he said. "But
don't you be worried. No harm shall
befall Ambrose tonight"
1t was just nine o'clock as Ambrose
Dearborn entered gambling house.
His business had kept him later than
usual, and having made a good sum in
trade that day, he had determined to
stake the amount upon the altar of for
tune. His wife was right in her fears.
The card table had gained fascinating
power over him, and he had lost some
heavy sums: but on the previous eve
ming he had been cursed with turn on
winning luck, and had won back very
nearly as much as he had lost, and he
was now OH his way to continue his
luck lie meant only to play an hour
or so, and then go home. He went up
to the sideboard and took a glass OF
wine, and as he turned he met a strang-
or who had apparently come for the
same purpose.
| "Good evening"" said the stranger in
a pleasant tone, as he poured out tum-
bier full OF water from the pitcher and
drank 1t. Ambrose returned the salu-
tation. II came in to take q few min
ntes recreation at cards." said the
stranger, "but find no friends here"
$50 did ], answered Ambrose, "and
my friends are missing"
''Then suppose we take hand or
two, just to pass away the time until
the others come" said the stranger.
with pleasure" said Dearborn.
Accordingly the two sat down, and
were soon on the most friendly terms.
The cards were dealt, and for q while
the playing was on small scale and
the luck about even. By-and-by Am.
brose began to win, and he went ON nm
I'll hs had won more than twenty
pounds. lie would have felt somewhat
ashamed had not his antagonist main