The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1880-09-11
Gambling for n wife.
FOR THE LAKE CHARMS Eono.--BY NOS

a young gentleman not more than
twenty-one or two, young lady OF
eighteen, both singing at the piano,
and younger lady of sixteen summers,
sitting near and looking out of the
op@ window. Her meditatiye gaze
was sufficient evidence that the passing
people on the fashionable promenade,
as well as the beautiful trees and flow
ers in the garden, were not engrosslng
her attention. These people were Mrs.
Moore, her son John, and daughter
Fanny at the piano, also her daughter
near the window. The song ended,
the two held an animated argument
over the merits of other songs and find
ing it difficult to make selection, they
appealed to their mother. Laying her
book down, she gave a decision and
then addressed her silent daughter.
"Agatha, what will you take fory
thoughts ~
"a kiss, mother" and crossing the
room to her mothers chair, she received
her payment in advance.
"Now inform me of tho weighty
subject which has silenced our viva
cious Agatha 2" John and Fanny now
Joined the speakers.
"My thoughts were in the form Of a
wish. You all know how very fash
ionable card parties are think them
extremely pleasant and was wishing
that we could, sometimes, have such
parties here at home"
"That would be splendid" said
Fanny.
allow do you know anything about
them? Why, girls, You do not know
even a single game" spake John.
"Mattie Walsh has informed us of
the fun; as to our ignorance of games,
nothing is easier dispelled by our learn
ing; Matte, or any Of the girls, would
gladly teach us, if they knew we would
give them a party" answered Agatha.
Their mother remained silent, wearing
a strange expression of eountenance.
"What viii you do with grandma,
who yon know dislikes everything ap-
per tanning to card-playing| queried
John.
"Oh, grandma? She's an old fogy
We are forbidden a little innocent
amusement, simply on account Of her
unreasonable prejudice, and denounce
it. will tell you what we could do;
we could learn some games, and when
she goes on loug visit to aunt Fanny
Grey's, we could easily manage to have
a card party"
'My dear child, that would not be
right, even if you could obtain your
fathers consent"
"Oh, | could easily obtain that y
eagerly replied Agatha,
"Yon overrate your ability when
you think that you can persuade your
father into giving his consent to card
party. lie dislikes cards as much as
your grandmother, although he so sci
dom mentions the subject. Their
prejudices against cards, and all games
of chance, are the only ones that
justify"
II cannot understand how you can
make any exceptions in favor OF a
prejudice. You have always taught us
to avoid them, the same as il they were
plaques"
7. @Plagues they are, Agatha, excepting
in this ease. think when you
arc acquainted with the cause Of then
prejudice against all games of cards,
whether for money or amusement
you will acknowledge that your grand
mother and father are in the right.
am glad that your grandmother paid
aunt Fanny visit to-day, thereby es
Gaping the annoyance Of hearing yoll
wish, as well as the recital Of a history
of game of cards that wrecked one
life and nearly involved Others in. 3
similar ruin. The cards remain, anc
are the only pack that ever entered this
house"
'Did grandma eyer play cardsF
asked John.
.'Her husband did"
(which ones Grandpa Moore y
Gregg
.9Both,"
"Both p calculated all three.
sI.isten to the story: Your grand
mothers maiden name was Agatha
Lee. She was the only child Of a yer,
pious, old-fashioned couple, that is
such would be the generally aceepte'
opinion Of them, if they were living a
the present day. Mr.. Lee was min
lister, who taught by example as well 2
precept. Agatha received very goo'
education for that period, when It wa
not 50 easily obtained as now. shl
had attained her present height At Tn
/, age Of sixteen years, which you knol
ii below The medium, and was consid
cred a very pretty girl, her beauty be
ing enhanced by q modest, refined dc
meanor Her life had been all sun
I shine up to that age, and sunlight an
Z peared to delight 10 being her escort