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

with Jackson were the peculiar way in which
we parted. Between the two events we only
saw each other once, so that, although L
speak OF my connection" with him, in
reality all my dealings with him might have
been compressed into the space of half an
hour.
1t was in the old palmy days of Baden
Baden, before what we youngsters called
''meddling 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-B Baden blessed with a light heart,
plenty of time before me, and fairly lined
purse-not that was wealthy man, but L
saved and saved up my money in those days
for my annual holiday, religiously spent it
during my holiday and set to work with re-
doubled vlgor to make it up after the holt
| day.
| l could not afford to sit down at the wicked
| tables from morning till night side by side
with the haggard old habltues the flash la
dies, and the tilted foreign gentleman with
no POSSESSIONS; nor had [ the inclination so
to do, with the beautiful Black Forest at
my 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, l mean l
| laid them down, for SO far as | was con-
cerned there was no risk, as l invariably
| lost.
WE'LL went in one afternoon 'just to
have look" The saloons were crowded,
| and the game was proceeding merrily-for
some people. l had put down a couple of
| five-franc pieces, had resgnedly 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 | was standing was miserable-look-
ing individual, whose appearance, from its
strange contrast with the brillancy
arrested my attention. His face
was sallow and tightly drawn over its clearly
| defined bones; his eyes were haggard and
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, but
they were soiled, stained and even patched
| i'll 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 somewhat for
wretched actually. He staked several times
and lost as often; then with deep sigh he
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 of
| players. l don't know why l suffered him
to do this but l was interested in him, 1 felt
/ that there was history, possibly romance,
attaching to him, and 1 went.
Sir" he said with a slight American in
| tonation, you are an Englishman, are you
| not?"
1 admitted the soft impeachment.
And you come of great, gallant and gen
erous race?'
| bowed my head on behalf of my nation.
''You see me here before you" he con-
| tinued, "a wretched, wicked ruined man.
Listen: l have never been at these tables be-
| fore! l am an honest, sober, industrious
father of family, and 1 have been ordered
| by my doctor to come here and drink the
waters with the alternative of dying. My
employers in London" (naming a we'll
| known city firm) generously paid my ex-
| penses here in consideration of my long
services In an evil moment l was tempted
to try my luck at the tables. You know
what that means. One sip of Circe's Gun
and the usual result. | lost; l played
on in hopes Of recouping myself L lost
again. This cannot go on forever,
| | thought, and put my last money on the
| table. That has just been swept away; and
| here | am, penniless beggar, with a fond
| wife and four young children at home pray
| ing that my sojourn may restore me to
! health and to them. l have not even the
| necessary funds to take me back to England,
or, uncured as [ am, 1 would hasten away
from this sink of iniquity. There is light
| in your eye, sir which tells ME that there is
pity in your heart. Can you, will you, lend
me twenty, fifteen, ten poundsY'
AS | was not city man, used to and hard
ened to appeal from ruined men and beggars
of other descriptions, had not the art of
warding him off or the science of making ex-
cuses, but murmured out something about
being poor artist myself who had not much
more cash than knew what to do with
But when tear gathered in the corner of
one of his bloodshot eyes, | was done for. l
went to my hosel came back
to the Conversation Haus, and gave
him ten pounds, receiving in exchange a
dusky card upon which was engraved
jackson. Belinda Villa, Brixton, Surrey"
and profusion of fearful thanks and
promises to pay directly he should reach
home.
My neighbor at the table d'hote that even
ing was portly American citizen, who in
less than five minutes after we had taken our
seats informed me that he was in the pork
line at Chicago, and that he and his gals
were "voy'ging around Europe jes to open
up their minds some" From a detailed &C
count of the present state of business in the
States in general, and Chicago, in particular,
he proceeded to dilate upon the rogueries
practiced upon innocent American travel
lers by hotel keepers and other harpies in
Europe.
"And it's a circumstances, sir" he con-
tinued, "but although l guess we're as spry
as most folk, 1 opine I've been done in the
eve since I've been in Baden Baden. l amt
gambler! no, sir, but 1 do put dollar
down now and again for the good of the
place. and L was doing so this evening, when
a misunderstanding cuss comes to me and
spins ME long yarn about his being ruined
man, and having large family in the States
dependent on him, and asks me if I'd loan
him $50 to help him on his way home. Wal,
told him right away that l didn't believe
q said. q To
turn on his water-works sir, it.was too much
aud loaned him $25."
'"Dear me- said, "that's very strange, for
the same thing occurred to me this afternoon.
Did he give you an address,"
Wal" replied the American, che gave
mo this hit Of naStn- hon I'd ,uhinh c-,,ncn 4