Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-10-23
The Gard Table.
A Story That Tells It's Own Moral


Lydia Dearborn sat alone in her little
sitting room, and her countenance was
sad and desponding She was not over
six-and-twenty, 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 CEN
ter-table was lighted, for it was eve
ming. She sat thus, trying to read, when
the door opened and stranger entered.
She started up with fear at thus seeing
a strange man enter her apartment un-
hidden.
Lydia" said the stranger, don't you
know me?"
The young woman started at the sound
of his voice, and the blood rushed to her
brow and temples. She took q step for
ward and gaZed more sharply into the
intruders face.
James, she murmured, interroga-
lively.
"Yes, my sister," he replied. Didn't
you know mer"
Instead of answering in words, Lydia
rushed forward, sank upon her brothers
bosom, and wept for joy.
"And you didn't know me?" said her
brother with smile, after he had taken
seat.
"Why, no, James," she replied. "Five
years have altered you wonderfully.
But that beard all over your face makes
a good deal of difference"
"All the difference in the world. sis
ter" said James. 1.-TWO years ago while
my ship lay at Canton, L had my beard
all shaved off, and when l came aboard
some of my own men did not know me
at first"
"Then 1 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
conversation ran for awhile 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 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, Il 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
thing as that?"
Lydia's eyes filled with tears in mo-
ment, and a 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, 1 will tell you," she re-
piled. "But first let me assure you that
did not mean exactly what 1 said to
Kate. You remember about five years
ago, when you used to tell me. such sto-
ries about the gambling scenes, that Am
brose 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"
"Yes, yes-I remember all that" said
James. lar,--
WELL" continued Lydia, "the spirit
of gaming is now fastening itself upon
him. / can see it plainly, though he
tries to laugh away my fears. l know
it is so, for.I have been told by one who
is my. friend, and who told me out of
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 told this
to me. Oh, / know his impetuOus ma
ture, and fear he will be lost ere he is
aware of it. Evil companions are lead
ing him aStray, and yet he thinks them
friends"
"And do you think he is going to the
card table tonight :" inquired the broth
er.
Il am afraid so," she replied. "And
if he does-0hi dare not think of it.
He has good deal of money with him.
Pefore you came / was weeping over my
fears. have never let him know how
much knew concerning his course, for
l feared 'twould only make him more ex-
cited. Alas know not what to do. l
don't think that he has lost much, but
know he will never leave the fascina-
ting habit until he is ruined, unless
something can be done to move him"
"'Tis true enough, LYDIA" returned
the captain, II did teach Ambrose to
play-thOugh God knows never meant
To teach him to gamble-and l will cure
him if can. Do you think he is at it
nOw?"
II think h. would have been at home
before this time if he had not fallen in
with some of his old associates" said
Lydia.
"Then, my dear sister, you rest here
while go and find him." said James,
"I'll save him if can"
"But you'll come back sOon?" said his
sister.
James stopped and thought for mo-
ment 81 don't know" he said. "But
don't you be worried. No harm Shell
befall Ambrse tonight"
1t was just nine o'clock as Ambrose
Dearborn 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 her fears. The card
table had gained fascinating power
over him, AID he had lost some heavy
sums; but on the previous evening he
bad been cursed with turn of running
luck, and had won back very nearly as
much as be had lost, and was now on