St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-28
I SINNED ANDI SUFFER.

Since my earliest infancy I was taught
to believe that betting was an objectionable
sin. and that any kind of gambling was
crime almost as bad as murder. These
views were fired at me by religious father
and mother until my whole nature became
bound up in one thought, and that was to
bet. Well, have bet, and now am
thoroughly convinced that it is sin. and
especially so when you lose. During the
last campaign a candidate had induced me
to think that he could easily be elected.
Here was my chance to bet and make big
roll. was wise in my own cOnceit and
felt certain that as soon as the day after
election l would be rolling in wealth. Then
l would show my hOnOred but mistaken
parents that it was not so wicked to bet as
they had tried to make me believe.
AS the campaign progressed l looked
over the field and felt certain that l could
name the winning man. Drawing my
cash from the bank l went rushing around
like mad, seeking to find foolish persons
who wanted to place their money on the
opposition candidate. They were not hard
to find, and in a few days there was enough
money put up to purchase a small farm (if
the land was only cheap enOugh.) Having
placed nv bets ! felt satisfied, and could in
anticipation see myself gloating over the
misery of the rIen who had been foolish
enough to dare think for moment their
candidate stood the ghost OF show. l
pictured to myself what nice things L
would buy for my friends; how part OF the
money should be invested in gas stock at
So per share; how / would surprise my
friends by coming out with handsome
diamond pin and heavy gold watch. and
thousand other things. In my delirium l
of oICrar N U
friends who would not bet money, and
candy with my lady friends. Not satisfied
with one bet with each one. l had to go
around to them day or so later and induce
them to double their bets.
This seemed a great scheme, and | pur-
sued 1t until almost every cent had in the
world was placed in the hands of stake
holders Election day dawned. and l was
up bright and early. going from one pre-
cinct TO another in an endeavor to gain
some idea of what the general result would
be- To my unsophisticated mind all
seemed well, and my spirits arose in man
ner that reminded me of a lady arising
from her chair when timid little mouse
puts in an appearance. 1t would not be
doing my spirits justice. however, to simply
say that they arose. They jumped higher
and higher. as the day wore on,
and by evening l was in a
state bordering close upon insanity. Of
course I had won; there was no question
about it. At the end of the week [ would
resign my position. drop the No. 2 Faber
pencil and leave the reportorial rooms for
ever. No more would allow any
tyrannical city editor to send me out to 1899
Steenth street at midnight to interview
John Smith. and find out what he thought
the effect of an early snow would have
upon the ice crop. No more would l at
tend the Monday morning meeting of the
ministers and hear them discuss the rela-
ton of monkey to man. My days of
slavery were over, and hencefOrth l was a
free man, to 90 where l pleased, with no
one to say nay.
About O'Clock in the evening the returns
began to come in. 1t was then that | be-
gan to regain my right senses and see that
it was only by miracle that l could come
out anywhere near even. When the third
precinct of the First ward came in | was
astOnished-yes, more than aStOnislIed.
When il was expected that my candidate
would get 700 majority the other man re-
ceived 713 majority. My bright visions be-
gan to fade and my spirits dropped lower
and lower. To add to my miseres the
candidate entered the Office, pumped HIM
sell QONll OH NY uSShs lOOh6u dG Ll6 III oil
idiotic manner and murmuTed: Say.
me boy, if you have any money
I'D on this election l am awfully
afraid you are going to get left A com
bination of circumstances has played dead
against u.s. and l am afraid we are going
under by small majOrties. Now. take my
advice and hedge" Oh, yes. Hedge! L
was in a fine condition to hedge. was.
With precisely S5.10 in my pocket [ felt
like hedging AS the night wore away, my
chances of winning grew small by degrees
and beautifully less. My friends have tried
to cheer me up. but in vain. Ny heart is
broken and l am pining away. My clothes
are old and worn, but by close economy and
little care guess can survive the winter
all right. Thought at first that [ should
have to wear a straw hat and a linen buster
while the thermometer was gently moving
downward among the 40's. but later advices
assure me that kind friends will come to my
relief and see me through. am now firmly
convinced that it is very wicked to bet, and
shall never do so again unless l have a
dead sure winner" CLIFFE HULL.