The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-12-27
THE GAMBLERS STORY.
BY RAY.
[From the Toledo Blade

whom l had Just been lntr0d uceu al
a gathering of military men at the
Palmer House in Chicago. The con-
versation had, in some way, turned
upon gamblers and gambling.
"By the way" he continued, "did
you ever happen to hear of or meet
Ben Davis, who became SO famous
for his skill at cards all over this re-
gion some years before the war ?"
mo-" l replied, II never did,"
II know quite an interesting inei-
dent concerning Dayis, and if you
care TO hear it l will relate it,"
"Oh. you are certainly not going
to tell that long story tonight, are
you?" said that gentleman's wife,
rising from the sofa beside him. II
do not think Mr.. Lyons would really
care to hear it,"
l expressed a great desire to hear
the story, and she remarked smiling {:
at is a misfortune that you bring
upon yourself, then, and / will leave
you to bear it alone," and she moved
away to join group of ladies in an
Other part of the room.
"Flora never did like tC hear that
story" he said, watching the grace
ful form Of his wife as she crossed
4 I,At I'll,
"D0Wn on Madison street there is
a ring-tossing establishment that re-
minds me of similar affair that
f1Ourished there many years ago. AT
one end of the room is bench cover
ed with spikes. AT the other a rail-
ing, and the customer, standing be-
fore the railing, has the privilege of
tossing six rings among the spikes.
If you ring certain spikes you are
entitled to certain prizes. The charge
fer half 4 t!Uzen t0s5es was ten cents.
Davis was lettering in this estab-
Iishnent one afte:poon, carelessly
watching the various ones as they
tried their chances with the rings,
when a newsbOy stepped up to the
railing with an earnest look on his
face and commenced tossing the
rings. One e--tWo-three-f ,ur. They
all missed the mark, and he stOud
still for a moment, evidently meas
uring the distance carefully with his
eye. The fifth ring whirled over the
bench and fell provOkingIy between
the spikes.
six" said the attendant, as he
held out the last ring.
The little fellow leaned over the
railing, his face flushed whith anxiety
and swung the ring to and fro sev
"ral times before making his last
throw. 1t went clear oyer the bench
and rang against the wall beyond.
Without a word he picked up his kit,
swung it over his shoulder, and Start.
ed out. His head was bowed down,
and he would not have raised it had
not some one spoken to him at the
door.
"What did you win, Jack ?"
"Nothing, Mr.. Davis, but I will
have better luck next time" said
Jack, looking up with a resOldte ex.
preston on his face, anil trying very
hard to smile, though there was
suspicious trembling about the COR
ners of his mouth.
Yes. you will have better luck
next time, Jack. That is the way
to take every hard knock"
As the boy turned away the other
could not help noticing there We're
tears in his eyes.
"You are not crying, Jack ?" said
Davis. You should not mind life
is hut matter of toss and wind-toss
and lose, any way you take it,"
The boy passed on without reply
ing, but a strange impulse caused
Davis to follow him.
Jack" he said. as he overlook
him, ~ haye known you rs one 0f
the pIuckieSt boys on the street.
What made you Sn cast down oyer
the loss of a dime?"
The little fellow was silent for some
time finally he said:
"Well, Mr.. Davis, l don't mind
telling you don't believe you will
laugh at me rs some others would.
You see, Tomorrow Is Christmas.
thought this morning when l got up
that Flo ought to have Il Christmas
present. / don't save much money,
for the IN, ,st of what earn goes tn
mother 10 help keep Us in bread and
butter. Well, you see, l thought
perhaps could earn enough to-day
to get something for Flo. She was
worse last night, and =" the lips were
quivering perceptibly.
"WhO is Flo?" inquired Mr.. Davis.
Flo? Oh, Flo is my sister; there
is something the matter with her
spine. the doctors say, and she cannot