Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-11-14
AFTERWARD.
A Gamblers End ".The Ruling
Passion Strong in Death"


Few sadder things have been written
of the consequences of evil habits than
this: "Ye shall be holden by the cords
of your own sins. A leaf from my
journal brings tomemory an illustration
of this truth that l shall never forget.
The story is fearful in some of its de-
tails, but its lesson is emphatic.
In April, 1910, on my way. from Vera
Cruz to New York, arrived in New
Orleans. l had intended spending
few days in the Queen City of the
South, but on my arrival learned that
cholera was prevailing there to an alarm
ing extent. 1t seemed as if everybody
who could leave the city was going
away, and having nothing but my own
pleasure to detain me, took passage
on river steamer for Cincinnati the
very next morning after my arrival.
But although went on board the
steamer in the morning, she did not
leave until late in the afternoon; and
while waiting l made the acquaintance
of young man who was to share my
room, for the steamer was crowded,
both in the cabin and on the boiler-deck
below. Down upon the lower deck
were stored a whole ship-load of emil
grants, who also had arrived only the
day before.
The young man who was to be my
room-matc had detected look, but he
was affable and impressed me favor
ably. He had with him beautiful lit
tic boy, his only child, six years of age.
''His mother died three days ago of
cholera" the father said, in a tremulous
voice; and then l understood why he
looked SO anxious.
This was when / first met him, in our
room. Not long after, as | was seated
on the open deck, forward of the cabin.
he came with his child and Joined me,
j had got the impression that he was
Northern-born, and now | asked him if
he had always lived in New Orleans.
NO." said he; Il was born in Gin
cinnati, where am now going. Ihave
an old father and mother living there.
and am going up to leave Louis with
them for awhile. l shall probably set
tie down there myself as soon as l can
fix things I'm sick of the business I've
been in here.'
Upon my asking what business that
was, he told me very frankly, and to
my great surprise, that he had been
keeping a gambling place.
I'm sick of it, though, and am going
to quit it" he added. II shall have to
come back, because I've left everything
at loose ends; but I'm going to settle
up and get out of it."
II suppose it has paid you well?"
said.
He looked at me more than minute
without speaking. Then he said: THAT
depends on how you reckon. l find
now that it hasn't paid me. I've made
little money, to be sure, but might
have made more Mt something else. 1t
has not paid me. It's business that
mecer pays when you reckon right; no
matter how much you make, it don't
pdy-and I'm going out of it,
told him hoped he would, and of
fered some suggestions in friendly
way, which seemed to touch his better
nature.
you talk kindly" he said, "and
sensibly, too. Pm glad have fallen in
with you. My wife used to talk to me
in the same way. She was always
wanting me to get out of it, and I'm
sorry didn't before she died. i told
her would, but kept putting it off, you
know. It's too late now--for her-but
I'm going out of it.''
Long before the steamer left the levee
and began her upward Journey, it was
evident that had won this young man s
confidence. He at least showed pref
erence for my companionship above
that OF any of the other passengers, and
we talked much together.
We both had q feeling of relief when
ut last we saw the pestilence-stricken
city sinking behind us, all unconscious
as we were that in fleeing from it we
were but going into greater danger.
For, unknown to us in the cabin, ship
fever was among the emigrants on the
lower deck, and this affording sure
and easy foothold for cholera, Death
was soon doing his work.
Unconscious of the danger beneath
us, 1t was not until the second morning
after leaving New Orleans that our at
tention was drawn to row of rough
boxes, of ominous shape, on the forward
part OF the lower deck. Then we learned
that five dead bodies were waiting for
burial.
There were white faces and eager in
quiries then, and it became quickly
known to every one that the pestilence
was with us.
In the afternoon of that same day,
Death entered the cabin, and marked
for his first victim hale and hearty
Tennessee cotton-planter, who occupied
the next room forward of that which
had been given to me and my new ac-
quaintance. The man seemed well and
hearty at noon, but was attacked soon
after, and died early that night.
learned Of his illness upon going fol
something to my room, but was SO
shocked that, forgetting my errand,
went back and rejoined my roommate,
who sat holding his little boy, in conver.
Bation with two other young men, both
OF whom occupied the same room with
the sick man. These fellows showed
very plainly, TO me at least, that they
belonged t9 the traterpity then so w