The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1879-04-18

believe-towards the paths of ruin.
Poor Bone was dazzled by . thought
which flashed like lightning before the
vision of his troubled mind-the gaming
table! Why not risk the few savings he
had scraped together there? What might
follow?-opulence, comfort and gold
gold-glittering gold for his darling!
Sure Fortune had unveiled her beauties
for his benefit on . sudden, and he
would not be backward, but would feed
readily upon her charms. What Of the
risk? He had little to lose, and much,
very much to gain. He would listen to
no voice of conscience or common sense,
but once seized with the plague, its ter
rible fever glanced from his restless eyes,
and bit by bit he became totally alter
ed man. In fact, Doctor Bone sank in
to veritable gambler.
It is needless to say how his fortunes
wavered and fuctuated; how his trem-
bling feet sought night after night the
scene of his disgrace and fall from for
mer disinterestednesss and simplicity !;
how his patients knew his kindly voice
and touch no longer. Sir Henry him.
self was almost startled with the fearful
eagerness of his pupil, and won his
money with shrug of the shoulders,
for this spark had some little warmth
left in him.
Poor old Bone! such disgraces were
more common then than now and less
noticed. Simplicity and age are small
friends to the gambler when balanced
against the sharp-headedness and fu-
ture guaranteeing impudence of youth.
The doctor coveted, and grew very
worn and unrestful, while at home boy
Godfrey played and slept on his little
innocent life.
Piece by piece old familiar tokens and
antique scraps of personal property van
ished from their time.worn stations in
the house, and were converted into mon
ey for those hopeless speculations. At
first the old housekeeper no more than
wondered at the strange whims and
pranks that had overcome "measter :"
but as each room waxed more lean and
unfinished melancholy and wonder
fell upon her, which induced her to re-
monstrate with Bone in q strain only
warranted by the unf1agging service she
had rendered him. He met her remarks
with a surliness foreign to his nature,
and babe her not to interfere in his
private matters.
One night the few wayfarers in q GER
tain by-way off Fleet Street might have
observed q shade start into relief against
the blind of an upper window of q dwell
ing, which for the rest was in deep
blackness. This apparition seemed to
throw its arms above its head and after
wildly clasping the hands, stagger out
of sight, leaving the square of light to
its former unbroken dimensions.
All, Doctor! We have recognized
you and will enter.
A square table adorns the center of
that room which owns the lighted case
ment, and round it are seated some half
dozen card-players, all flushed with
wine and in uproarious humDr. In
striking contrast to these boisterOus
spirits is the form of poor Bone, bowed
down to the earth with shame and
misery, with his white hair falling over
the lean hands which are strained to his
face, as If to shut out-What? With q
cry, he suddenly starts to his feet.
g Boy" he says hoarsely to the young
baronet, who is sitting there and turns
to him coolly, 81 have lost mine all
no silver remains to me, and I am in
debt to thee. But I have some valua-
BILE things at home, the most precious
of which shall recompeDse thee"
"Pooh, pooh, Doctor!" answers the
young fellow, 81 am j. faith no merci-
less creditor; thou shalt have time to
collect thy rents"
I" No time" says the other, miserably
enough, "can restore me what have
lost; thou art young, boy, but shall
too soon have to account to my Maker
for these recent misdoings. Swear to
me-" he cries suddenly, "swear to me
that thou wilt take and preserve in all
honor what l shall render to thy keep
ing. for, God help me! 'tis a dear token
and one l would have well tended"
" Nay" replies the boy, hastily, dis
turbed by SO passionate an appeal and
the unconcealed mirth of his compan-
ions, and moved, maybe, by the eager
entreaty of the suppliant, an thou art
SO determined, Doctor, I'll accept thy
gift, and, zouids, it shall not be sighted
at my hands!"
With this promise, at once both poison
and nectar, the old man arose from his
knees, upon which be had latterly
thrown himself, and with one piteous,
haggard look on the table and its hate.
full surroundings rushed wildly from the
room.
With the exception of few loiterers
the streets were deserted as this Door
ruin hurried through them with uncer-
tain gait and his thin locks streaming
in the chill breeze. With many halts
and diversions from his course, he at
length succeeded in reaching his home,
and letting himself in with trembling
hands he mounted the stairway and soft
" stole into the room in which boy
Godfrey was enjoying the dreamless
sleep of childhood.
81 have beggared thee, - he said, with |
, long, heart broken sigh, and the boy
woke up suddenly, and wondered at |
him with round, sleepy eyes.
"COme, my little one," whispered |
The Doctor, 81 have q mission for thee;
ask no questions, pretty; thine old |
yrandad is sorely troubled" With q
great sob, he lifted the astonished but
'bedient baby from his crib, and wait
ng no longer than to envelop him in a
hick blanket, crept noiselessly down
stairs and out again into the night mist.
The small party in the room off Fleet
Street. having broken up, was donning
ape and mufi1 Ter, when q feeble step
anne climbing the fight towards their
Dom door. This opened, and Doctor
sone silently entered, with his bundle
o adjusted as to conceal the confants |