Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-07-27
/ Always Win.

against cards, Mrs. Allen ~ asked a merry
girl of silver-haired woman, whose face
was not yet old.
"Yes, have" was the slow answer.
"Then you don't like to see us play"
al didn't say that" said the elder woman,
with smile. Z" But finish your game, and
then, perhaps, may tell you my reasons for
disliking cards.
Two young gentlemen and two young la
dies formed the party. The former were
general favorites in society, with characters
forming day by day, for they were quite
youthful yet. The one with black hair and
black eyes played quietly, if not languidly;
the other, with blue eyes and hair of golden
bronze, showed interest and excitement in
the game.
Mrs. Allen sat quietly watching their re-
gretful EXPLANATIONS, the eagerness to win,
the chagrin of losing. Her eyes were fixed
upon the young man with the flushed cheeks
and shining blue eyes, reading the earnest
ness, the excitement, the passion of his soul,
as the game advanced.
At last the triumph was his. Exultantly
he announced it, with the added words, al
always win at cards"
al knew somebody else who always won
at cards." said the lady in low voice.
"Come, Mrs. Allen" said one of the
merry girls, "you said you would tell us
why you dislike cards. We're Just in the
mood to listen, for have been badly beaten,
and don't like to be beaten"
al think | told YOU" said Mrs. Allen,
Z" that | knew somebody who boosted that
he always won at cards. lie was very
much like you," she added, turning to
Frank. al saw the likeness when | first
met you.
az have no hesitation in saying that
twenty years ago, this young man was one
Of the handsomest and most promising per-
sons in the city where he lived. Sought by
every one on account of his wit and vivacity,
life was a very pleasant thing TO him. But
he was passionately fond of cards, and be-
C ,use of the fact that he invariably won, he
was always ready to make up party, at
home or abroad.
al don't know how the fact first leaked
out, but it was whispered among his &C.
quaintances that he-played for money.
"This, of course, reached his mothers
ears latest of all, and she would not believe
it. She watched her boy with trembling
eagerness. He bought horse, he had al
ways fine clothes, and his appearance was
that of a restless, dissatisfied man.
"Every night the troubled mother sat up
till he came home; but his hours grew more
and more irregular. His business was, at
length, neglected; his luck turned he grew
haggard and moody.
"What could be done2 Nothing. He
Vas welded to his idol. Not only did he
play but he drank not only did he drink,
but he pledged things not his own, in the
Indulgence of his passion. Finally he forged
the name of his employer, fought in a
drunken fray, was brought home insensible,
aud for two weeks raved in delirium.
"No one can know what the torture of
mother is when her son disgraces her before
all the woodland this he had done. But
repentance came. He promised never again
to touch card grew into his original
ueauty lifted the hopes of all who loved
uim was engaged to a lovely girl, and by
her tempted to play, only social game
TO drink, only social glass and the con-
sequence was he was ruine1l
1.-THE love of gaming and of strong drink
ushed back upon him like torrent of in
lquity. Again he played for money, again
ne was brought home drunk, again he COM
nitted crime and this time his ruin was
complete.
"One night he rushed home like crazy
man. His mother tried in vain to calm
him. She was alone, and he, stung to in
sanity, raved and tore his hair, and cursed
her."
A shudder went over the little company.
"Yes, he cursed her because she had al
lowed him in the days of his innocence to
touch the cards, because with her own hands
she had taught him to play"
al could never do that" said the young
man with blue eyes.
$50 he would have said at your age. A
more affectionate son never lived.
"That night after he had been partially
,oothed, and had gone to his room, pistol
shot was heard Mercifuly the mother
tainted mercifully she was spared the sight
hat others saw"
"Did he kill himself, then p
Christianity. When | recovered from a
ong illness -
"What was he -
"My only son." There was a tremor in her
low voice, as she added, When recovered
[ had no child. Not yet forty, my hair was
As white as you see it now. Do you wonder
that hate cards ?"
"Oh, but how then could you sit and see
us play ~
because wished to warn you because
there are some temperaments TO which sue
cess is more baleful than defeat because
one of you put me strangely in mind OF my
blue-eyed boy"
Her eye fell upon Frank l.. He was
pale as death. Later he went up to her and
thanked her.
at was growing upon me, the passion for
play" he said. 9" felt it but with Gods
help, I'll never touch card again.
| lected.