Omaha daily bee., 1883-01-10

FARO JAKE'E LITTLE GIRL.
Effect OF a Little Child's Presence IL,
Gambling Den.

FARO JAkE'E LITTLE IL
Effect OF a Little Child's Presence In
Gambling Den.
vinegarvau (Tex } Letter 10 Philadelphia T mes
There is a gambler here in the saloon
attached to the dance house who re.
joices in the name of Faro Jake.
Jake lie q very gentlemanly fellow,
and as polite as q Franch dancing
master. He has no small Vices;
neither smokes, drinks, chews, nor
swears. He is accounted the most
expert faro dealer on the frontier.
He lives in a little tent on the out
skiris of the town, his companion q
lovely little girl about 6 years old who
calls him papa. The little ones name
is Bessie. She is q pure and innocent
creature, with a fresh, sunny face,
lighted by great blue eyes. Her hair
is as fiossy 10 corn silk and hangs
down her back in long curls. At very
infrequent intervals she comes into
town. / was here on the occasion
Of one of these rare visits. 1t was
Sunday evening, and work being sus-
pended on most Of the railroad con-
tracts, the town was full and business
was booming. The saloon where her
father deals IL the largest in town, and
at least 200 rough men, armed to the
teeth, were scattered about the apart
ment. A dance was In progress In the
hall. 1t was just after pay day, aud
money was flush and was being squand-
cred with prod,gal ~liberality. l was
seated at the corner Of the bar, watch
ins.the nimble fingers of a monte deal
er at an adjoining table. The air
about was blue with tobacco smoke
and profanity. Suddenly o hush fell
upon the rioters and all eyes were
turned towards the door. Standing
Oh the threshold, with q half confident
half timid look on her face, was little
Bessie. She was dressed In o snow
white dress and her dimpled arms
were closed about q rough doll, which
she held tight to her breast.
"Come In, little one!' cried q big
"navvy." ''Sure, there's no man here
will harm q hair Nv yer head, you
pritty little sunbame."
Thus assured, Bessie came into the
room and walked straight to the table
where her father was dealing.
"Bessiel" he cried, and frowned.
sob, papa!" she shouted, and
sprang forward. II was so lonely and
/ Just came for one kiss" She put
her arms around her fathers neck and
laid her soft cheek against his. "Now
please don't be cross, papa. Kiss me
and I will so straight back"
Faro Jake kissed the soft, red
mouth uplifted to his q dozen times.
II can't be cross with you, Bessie"
he said, and carried her to the door.
"Run home now, like q good little
girl"
The hush In the room had deep.
ened, and men who, for aught I know,
had hands red with the blood of their
fellow.kind, held their breath In the
presence of this vision of lovelinesa
and purity. Jake stopped to kiss her
again at the door One of the danes
hail sirens had been devouring the
little u with hungry eyes. As Bessie
gathered her doll closer and prepared
for the run home she stepped forward.
"Jabe!" she said In q hoarse voice
and touehsd the gamblers arm. 81
know / aia't fit to, but , i'll you let me
kiss her9"
Bessie heard the question and turnej
her w~onderous blue eyes toward Tho
speakers face.
"Papa don't %care,". she said, 'h,
likes to have people kiss me-"
The woman sprang forward an(
caught her In her arms. She KISSED
the pure face q score of times anG
Rugged her close.
"God bless you, little angel q she
said, and setting Bessie down, sh,
turned away. The child ran off
throwing back kisses from the tips O
her pink fingers, and the men cheered
"You'rs q fool, LIZ" said q tai
cowboy, striding up to the woman
"What do ye want to act 30 babyisl
fort Come, let's have a anothe
drink and 90 back to the hail."
"No!" cried the woman fiercsly. "
dance no more, drink no more thi
night"
She rushed past the cowboy towar'
the door leading to her tent. Whe'
she passed me her paioted face had
new light in it and there were tear
in her eyes. All! n e a grea
deal Of human nature, good and bad
at Vinegarvan.