The Red Cloud chief., 1884-11-21
AFTERWARD.
a Gamblers End -"The Ruling
Passion Strong in Death"

Few saddcr 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 TO memory an illustration
of this truth that ] snail never forget.
The story is fearful in some of It's de-
tails, but its lesson is emphatic.
in April, 1910. on my way from Vera
Graz 10 New York. | arrived in New
Orleans. 1 had intended spending a
few days in the Queen City of the
South, bat on my arrival | learned that
cholera was prevailing there to an alarm
ing extent. Ii 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 n 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 | made the acquaintance
of a 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 4 whole ship-load of emf
grants. who also had arrived only the
dav before.
The young mar who was 10 be my
roommate had a detected look. hut he
was affable and impressed me favor
ably. He had with him a beautiful. lit
tie boy, his only child. six years of age.
His mother died three days @ Of
cholera the father said. in Il trcmulous
voice: and then | understood why he
looked 81 anxious.
This was when | first met him. in II
room. Not long after, rs | was seated
on the open deck. forward of the cabin.
he came with his child and joined me.
! had got the impression that he vas
Northern-born. and o asked him if
he had always lived in New Orleans.
No" said he; Il was born in Gin
cinnati. where | am now going. have
an old father and mother living there.
and am going up to leave Louis with
them for awhile. | shall probably set
tie down there myself rs soon As l a
fix things. I'm sick of the business I've
been in here
Upon my asking what business tina:
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. Il shall have to
come back. because I've left everything
ut loose ends: but I'm going to settle
mp and get out of it
Il suppose it has paid you well?" l
said.
He looked at me more than a minute
without speaking. Then he said: THAT
depends on how you reckon. l find
now that it hasn't paid me. I've made
a little money, to be sure. but might
have made more ut something else. Ii
has not paid me. It's a business that
meier paws when YOU reckon right; no
matter how much YOU make. it don't
ray-and I'm going out of it."
| told him l hoped he would. and Of
fcred some suggestions in a friendly
way. which seemed to touch his better
nature.
You tak kindly" he said. land
sensibly. too. I'm 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 l didn't before she died. l 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 mans
confidence. He at least showed q pref
crence for my companionship above
that of any of the other passengers, and
we talked much together.
We both had q feeling of relief when
at 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 a u r
and easy foothold for cholera, Death
was soon doing his work.
Unconscious of the danger beneath
us, it was not until the second morning
after leaving New Orleans that our at
tention was drawn to q 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 snd eager in
Quiries then, and it became quickly
known to every one that the pestilence
was with rs.
ia es - aS.ii. u Ae@