The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-13


reality all my dealings with him might have /
been compressed into the space OF half an ;
hour. |
It was in the old palmy days of Baden
Baden, before what we youngsters called
'medding official prudery" had stepped in
and banished from that place OF peerless
natural attractions the artificial attraction
which did perhaps still more to throDg her
alleys and SQUARES with the beau monde OF
Europe. I was enjoying part of my holiday
at Baden Baden; blessed with light heart,
plenty of time before me, and fairly llneq
purse-not that | was wealthy man, OUT
saved and saved up my money in those DAYS
for nv annual holiday, religiously spent II
during nv holiday, and set to work with re-
doubled vlgor to makelt up atter the Aoll
day. &c.,,
could not afford to sit down at the wicked
tables from morning till night side by slde
with the haggard old habltues, the flash Ia
dies and the tilted foreign gentleman WIN
| no possessions; nor had l the inclination so
to do with the beautiful Black Forest at
nv very door wooing me to far more rational
| and healthy enjoyment every sunny morn
| ing: but did occasionally risk modest five
| franc piece or so-when say risk, mean L
| laid them down, for so far as was con
cerned there was no risk, as l invariably
| lost.
Well, I went in one afternoon lust to
| have look" The saloons were crowded,
and the game was proceeding merrlly-for
some people. had put down couple OF
five-franc pieces, had resignedly seen them
| swept off BY the rake of the statuesque
| cropier. and was contenting myself with OBJ
serving the curious scene. Sitting next TO
where I was standing was mlserable-looK-
ing individual, whose appearance, from Its
strange contrast with the orllliancy
arrested nv attention His face
was sallow and tightly drawn over its clearly
defined bones; his eyes were haggard ana
bloodshot; such whiskers as he wore were rag
ged and unkempt, and his black hair strayed
wildly over his forehead. His clothes had
once been of fashionable hue and cut out
they were soiled, stained and even patched
in places, and the glitter of the paste dia-
mond upon his filthy finger proclaimed en-
deayor on the part of its owner to make
feeble appearance to atone What LOT
wretched actuality. He staked several times
and lost as often; then with deep sigh ne
rose. and observing that my gaze was fixed
earnestly on him. took me by the sleeve and
led me to a gilded alcove behind the ring q
| nlavers I don't know why suffered nm
| TO do this, but was interested in him. fell
that there was history, possibly a romance
attaching to him, and went.
Sir" he said with a slight American IN
tonation, you are an Englishman, are you
not?"
admitted the soft impeachment.
"And you come of great, gallant and gen
erous racer
bowed my head on behalf of my nation
stYou see me here before you" he con
tinued. "a wretched, wicked, ruined mar
Listen: l have never been at these tables be
fore! | am an honest, sober, lnduStrlou
father of family, and 1 have been ordere
by my doctor to come here and drink tn
waters with the alternative OF dying M
employers in London" (nam1ng a wei
known city f1rm) generously paid my e1
penses here in consideration OF my Ion
services. In an evil moment L was temple
to trv nv luck at tine tables. You kno
what that means. One sip OF Clrce's cul
and the usual result L lost playg
on in hopes OF recouping myselI; L lo'
again This cannot go on foreve
l thought, and put my last money on IL
table. That has just been swept away; an
here 1 am, a penniless beggar, with fon
wife and four young children at home pra,
ing that my sojourn may restore me
health and to them. L have not even tt
necessary funds to take me back to Bingham
or, uncured as l am, L would hasten awe
from this sink of iniquity. There is llgl
in your eye, sir, which tells me that there
pity in your heart Can you, will you lei
me twenty fifteen, ten poundsY'
As was not city man, used to and mar
of other descriptions, l had not the art
warding him off or the science of making e
cuses, but 1 murmured out something abol
being poor artist myself who had not mu
more cash than 1 knew what to do Wi
But when a tear gathered in the corner
one of his bloodshot eyes, was done for
went to my hotel, came ba
to the Conversation Haus, and g.
him ten pounds, receiving in exchange
dusky card upon which was engraved
jackson. Belinda villa, Brixton, Surrey,
and a profusion of fearful thanks a
promises to pay directly he should req
home. 4
NV neighbor at the table d'hote that evl
ing was portly American citizen who
less than five minutes after we had taken
seats informed me that he was in the p'
line at Chicago, and that he and his ga
were "voy'ging around Europe jes' to OF
IN their minds some" From detailed /
count of the present state OF business III
States in general, and Chicago, in partlcui
he proceeded to dilate upon the roguel
practiced upon innocent American tray
lers by hotel keepers and other harples
Europe.
And it's a circumstance, sir" he Y
tinued, 'but although guess we're as s.
n. as most folk, l opine I've been done IN .
eve since Pve been in Baden Baden l al
a gambler! no, sir, but l do put dol
down now and again for the good OF !
place; and l was doing so this evening, WI
miserable looking cuss comes to ME {
spins me long yarn about his being ruiz
man, and having large family in the Sta
dependent on him, and asks me II Ia Il
him $50 to help him on his way home; v
l told him right away that l didn't bell
nary word he said; but when he began
turn on his water-works, sir, it-was too mu
and loaned him $25."
'''Dear me-" said that's very strange
i - -------I - - = N--- -~+N>'-'@r,
Bancroft's Failure as a Novelist
Boston Traveller.
Few of the readers OF George Bancrofts adj (
mirable histories are aware that the eminent [
historian began his literary life as O writer of |
romance. His attempts in this line were not |
successful, and "a charming old lady, his rela-
tive and lifelong friend, related in my hear |
ing the other daY an interesting anecdote |