Warren sheaf., 1881-07-20

ing to the other the mysteries Of the game
1t is healthy pastime, said he who had
been making the explanation; and certainly
it is one which has no evil tendency
Albert heard the remark very plainly, and
he had curiosity to hear what the other,
who seemed unacquainted with billiards,
would say.
I cannot, of course, assert that any
game which calls for skill and judgement,
and which is free from the attending curse
of gambling, is Of itself an evil, remarked
the second gentleman. Such things are
men beyond the bounds of healthy recrea-
ton
That result can scarcely follow such q
game, said the first speaker.
But the other shook his heal.
You are wrong here. Tho result can
follow in two ways:
First it can lead men to spend money
who have OtmOney to spend Whenever
visit place of this kind am led ID reflect
upon most strange and prominent weak
ness OF humanity as developed in our sex.
For instance, observe that young man who
is Just setteling his bill at the desk.
He looked like a mechanic, and should
say from his manner, and from the fact that
he that feels it his duty to go home at this
hour, that he has wife and children. I
see by his face that he is kind heal led and
generous, and should judge that he meant
to do as near right as he can.
He had beer beaten, and he pays one
dollar and forty cents for the recreation of
some two hours duration. If you observe
you, will see that he pays it freely and
pockets the loss with a smile. Happy
faculty!
But how do you suppose it is in that
young mans home? Suppose his wife had
come to him this morning and asked him
for dollar to spend for some triaing thing
some household ornament or some bit of
JeWelry to adorn her person-and suppose
his little child put in q plea for forty cents
to buy paper and picture book with, what
do you think he would have answered?
OF fifty men just like him would not for
ty and five have declared that they had no
money to spare for any srch purpose? And.
moreover, they would have said SO, feeling
that hey were telling the truth; am I not
right?
Upon my word, said the man who un-
derstood billiards, you speak to the point.
know that young man who has paid his
bill and you have not misjudged him in
single particular; and what is more, I hap
pen to have fact in hand to illus late your
charge; We have club for an excellent lit
erary paper in our village, and last year that
man was one of your subscribers; this year
he felt obliged to discontinue it. His wife
was anxious to Ike it, for it had
become genial companion in leisure mo-
ments, but he could not afford It; the club
rate was one dollar and fifty year.
Aye, and SO it goes,' sails the other gen.
t'enan. We'll, tf 1t mans wife nay be
Wishing at tbs velJ moment that she had
her paper 20 read, while he is paying almost
its full price for ye.r-for what? And
yet how smilingly he does it!
Ah! these poor sympathizing wives
Few many clouds often darken upon them
from the brows Of their husbands when
they ask for trifling sum of money which
ought to be given without grudein if they
have it. What floods of JOY that dollar and
forty cents might have poured upon the
children Of that unsuccessful billiard
player.
They fni6hed at the nearest table; the
two Sc tle.nen moved on and Albert Land
mi I moved out, beset by thoughts which
had never seized him before
His wife and sweet Lizzie were sad
enough, and yet the sum Of both their
wants amounted to not so much as he had
paid away that evening for billiard-play-
ing.
On his way Landman purchased the best
hoop and driving stick to be found, and in
the molniug when he beheld his child's
delight and received her happy kiss, he
asked himself which was the happiest re-
suit, this or the five games Of billiards?
A few mornings after this as Albert arose
from the breakfast table, he detecteda a visit
full look on his wife's face.
Kate, what is it?'
Albert, could you spare me half a dollar
this morning?
Out came his wallet and the money was
handed over with genial smile.
What! tears at that? Was it possible she
had been SO little used to such scenes on
his part, that SO simple an act of loving
kindness thus affected her?
How many games Of billiards would be
required to secure such satisfaction as AL
bert carried with him to the shop that
morning?.
A very simple lesson it is, but how many
may gain lasting profit by giving heed to it.
The Duke and the HOodlum.
Ep,oS IL, O.. A1 r