Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-21
A DARK NIGHTS WORK.


"Going to try your luck at faro, Blais-
aell?'
"No," was the answer; II never gamble.
I'm only going up to look on
"Humph! Pm off. Goodnight"
"Good-night.'
Harry Blaisdell paused On the stone step
Of notwithstanding house, situated
npperI Broadway, and watched his friend
manly form until it disappeared in the crowd
that thronged the brilliantly-lighted street.
There was sad, half wistful look in his
handsome, brown eyes, seldom to be seen
there.
81 wonder what has come over me-" he
muttered, with an impatient shrug. "Some-
how it seems as if tonight were going to be
turning point in my career. l can't con-
quer the impression any more than could
have overcome the incomprehensible mag
netism that drew my feet to this place of all
Others
He glanced up quickly at the dark front
of the building before which he stood, hest
tated still another instant, as if tempted to
follow his friend down town, after all, then
slowly turned the door-knob and went in.
He found himself in spacious hall, dimly
lighted by a single gas:jet. A staircase,
heavily carved and thickly carpeted, led up
from the centre, and an attendant stood lean
ing against the wall near marble Ariadne,
little to the right of the entrance.
Harry Blaisdell barely nodded to the man,
and then passed up the stairs as if well ac-
quainted with the place, though, truth to
tell, he had never penetrated to the vile
gambling den-for such, in reality, it was
but once before in all his life.
Pushing open the nearest door upon the
landing, he entered large, brillianty-light-
ed room, furnished with the most exquisite
taste. A velvet pile covered the floor; soft
folds of flmy lace screened the windows !;
handsome mirrors adorned the walls, and
heavily carved divans were arranged about
the apartment.
In one corner stood massive sideboard,
all of glitter with cut-glass, and silver, and
swinging gasjets. Harry hurried shudder,
ingly past it, as if it had been some hundred
headed dragon, and entered the room be-
yond.
Here the great game of faro was going on
round green-baize table at the upper end.
The hour was late, and very few persons
were in the room, though occasionally a
muttered curse or discordant laugh issued
from apartments beyond, indicating that the
place was not deserted by any means, and
that different games were going on.
Harry paused near the taro-table, and his
glance at once singled out handsome, we'll
dressed young gentleman, who, in company
with two other men of quite different
stamp, seemed to be playing against the
game.
The young man was frightfully pale his
eyes We're bloodshot, but burned with an I'M
natural glitter, and the hand resting against
one corner of the table trembled like an
aspen leaf.
I'm ruined!" he cried out, suddenly.
with fearful oath.
''Humph," said the dealer. sneeringly.
SCOT enough of it for one night, eh?''
The young man hesitated moment
pressed both hands against his burning tenn
Piles, and exclaimed, in hoarse voice:
Il believe you have swindled me. But
it's of no use complaining I'll fight it out
with you YETI
He tore diamond pin from his shirt-front,
and slung it across the table, with the
words:
LEND me hundred on that
"All right said the dealer, with an assur-
ing smile; and he passed over checks for the
required amount.
Again the game proceeded
Harry almost held his breath as he watched
its progress, and saw great beads of perspi-
ration on the young mans forehead
Luck was still against him, and he lost.
Il demand another chance to redeem my
SELF he cried, hoarsely; and this time
handsome gold watch and chain was pushed
INTO the dealers hand.
At this instant two moist fingers tapped
against Harry S cheek, and a leering, sarcas-
TIC face was pressed close up to his own.
Il say, sir, piped shrill voice, "what
precious fool that youngster is making of
himself. He ought to know he is PLAYING
against decoys, and has not the ghost of
chance
"Who is he?" asked Harry, too curious
to resent the familiarity.
''The son of a Wall-street banker-Dick
Van Alstine by name"
"Ah!" exclaimed Harry, involuntarily.
The name was quite familiar to him as be-
longing to one of the NEW York millionaires.
IA brief silence followed which was broken
by a startled cry from his new acquaintance.
T"Good Heaven! Look yonder. See that
lad standing behind Van Alstine's chair ="