Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-03-10
The Card.Table.

Lydia Dearborn sat alone in her little
stting-room, and her countenance was sad
and desponding. She was not over six and
twenty, and though her face was pale and
wan, vet she was beautiful. A warm fire
burned in the CRATE, for it was winter, and
the lamp upon the center table was lighted,
for it was evening. She sat thus, trying to
read, when the door was opened and a
stranger entered. She started up with fear
at thus seeing strange man enter her
apartment unbidden.
Lydia--don't you know me?"
The woman started at the sound of the
voice. and the blood rushed to her brow and
temples. She took a step forward, and
gazed more sharply into the intruder's face
"James :" she murmured, interrogatively.
eyes, my sister. Didn't you know me p
But instead of answering in words, Lydia
rushed forward and sank upon the man $
bosom, and there she wept for joy. 1t was,
in truth, her own brother.
"And you didn't know me 2" he said,
with smile, after he had taken seat.
"Why, no, James. Five years have al
tered you wonderfully. But then that beard
all over your face makes good deal of diff.
ference"
"All the difference in the world, sister
, Two years ago, while my ship lay at Can
ton, had my beard all shaved off, and when
| came aboard some of own men did not
know ne at first"
"Then wish you'd shave it off now, fol
you look more like a bear than you do like
James Barrows."
The brother laughed, and then the con
versation ran for while upon various topic;
suggested by the return Of the loved one
James Barrows was now thirty-two years o
age, and had been absent from his native
city for five years, during which time he hae
command of fine ship.
"By the way" said the brother, at th'
end Of half an hour, 81 stopped in New
York on my way here, and saw Kate Wal
dron there. She told me she heard you sa.
you wished your husband had never know
me. Did you ever say such thing as that?'
Lydia's eyes filled with tears in a moment
and deep sob broke from her lips. He
brother was startled. He moved to her side
aud put his arm about her neck.
"What is it, my sister?" he asked, anx
iously.
"Alas, James, will tell you. But frs
let me assure you that | did not mean ex
actly what | said to Kate. You remembe
five years ago, when you used to tell sucl
stories about gambling scenes on the Miss
issippi. Ambrose asked you to play poker
as you call it. You taught him the game
and in one or two evenings you went wit
him to some social card parties"
"Yes, yes-I remember all that"
Well-the spirit of gaming is now fas
ening itself upon him. / can see II plainl,
though he tries to laugh away my fears.
know it is so, for have been told by on
who is my friend, and who told me out c
pure friendship for Ambrose. But hav
not vet dared to let him know how sure m
information is, for he would be angry, di
ne know that any one had told this to M
o, know his impetuous nature, and | fea
he will be lost ere he is aware of it. Ev
companions are leading him astray. II
thinks them friends -
And do you think he has gone to th
card-table tonight 2"
81 am afraid so. And if he does-O,
dare not think of it. He has much none
with him. Before you came l was weepin
over my fears. l have never let him kno
how much | knew concerning his cours
for feared it would only make him mol
excited. Alas l know not what to do.
do not think he has yet lost much, but
know that he will never leave the fascina
ing habit until he is ruined, unless som
thing can be done to move him."
"By my soul, Lydia" returned the ca
tain, warmly, Z" / did teach Ambrose to pla
though God knows never meant to teac
him to gamble-and will cure him now
can. Do you think he is at it now 2"
al think he would have been at home b
fore this time, if he had not fallen in wit
some of his evil associates"
"Then you rest here while 60 and fin
/ him. BY my soul, III save him if can"
"But you'll come back soon :"
James stopped and thought for m
, ment.
; al don't know" he said. "But don
you be worried. No harm shall befall An
, brose tonight"
, 1t was Just nine o'clock as Ambrose Dea
) born entered one Of the gambling saloons
/ the city. His business had kept him lat,
| than usual, aud, having made fifteen dola
, in trade since dark, he had determined [
stake that amount upon the altar of fortun
| His wife was right in her fears. The car
table had gained fascinating power ov'
him, and he had lost some heavy sums.
But on the previous evening he had bee
cursed with turn of winning luck, an
had won back very nearly as much as
had lost, and he was now on his way to col
tinue his luck
He meant only to play an hour or so, an
then go home. He went up to the sid
, board and took a glass of wine, and, as /
turned, he met stranger, who had seen
, ingly come for the same purpose.
, "Good evening"" said the stranger, in
pleasant tone, as he poured out tumbl,
full of water from the pitcher and drank
Ambrose returned the salutation.
al came in to take few moments recr
alton at cards" said the stranger, but l fin
no friends here"
"So did l." answered Ambrose, sand IN
friends are missing"
|, "Then suppose we take hand or tw
just to pass away the time until others come.
with pleasure" said Dearborn.
And accordingly the two sat down, an
were soon on the most friendly terms. Tt