Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1886-11-03

Infatuated with tho Ignis Fatuus OF
Good Luck"-A Picture of Distress.
Drunk Again.
Not long ago we went into Eosmak's to got
German dinner While eating noodle sour
and leberwurst we saw at a side table man
with a massive face, penetrating eyes, and
broad forehead In the reign of James
Buchanan he was a very prominent politician
As stump speaker he had few equals. Ht
has written leading articles for many daily
newspapers, and he is thorough political
economist. Time had evidently treated him
harshly. He looked like an Old budock bun
gone to seed His shabby coat was buttoned
tight to his throat, but not tight enough to
hide the dirty flannel undershirt beneath it
for he wore neither collar nor muslin gar.
EcIt His shoes were cracked, and his soft
felt hat was much the worse for wear There
was not the slightest trace of dissipation
about HIM He seemed downcast and lost in
thought
At loss to account for the change in his
appearance, we invited him to dinc. He took
potato salad and some beer, but was moody
and reserved. He would not talk about him
self, and he cared not TO talk about anybody
else. 1t was evident that he was very needy.
When s. note was pressed into his hand his
eyes filed with tears
Il did not ask YOU for this he said, in a
voice broken with emotion.
NO, indeed, YOU did not, =" VIC agreed. But
we know You need it Take it, and get clean
undcrclothes and shirt We know that YOU
have no "a. ,,>t
offer it to You. If you are ever again in good
circumstances you can repay it
He rose and grasped lis convulsively by the
hant, "I1l never forget this as long as
live. lie said impressively, and walked bur
richly from the restaurant.
THE RECONNAISSANCE FATAL SECRET
Capt. W, q wellknown gambler, sat
twenty feet away. The Old man had hardly
reached the sidewalk before the captain WAS
at our side, u saw you talking with the CON
gresham Just now he said, "and think
saw yoa give him some money. Did be ask
You for any?'
NO. was The answer. He looked poor
and seedy, and l gave him enough to fix him
self up That was all He has gone out to
buy shirt and collar and clean undercIoth-
ing"
The captain had a sarcastic smile on his
face. "Comc with mo, = he said, 4and see how
he fixes himself MP. 1t VIII interest men like
YOU
After paying the reckoning, we followed
the captain. He escorted US around the cor
ner. Up narrow stairway we stumbled into
little entry on Ae second floor. There a
bell was rung. \ small panel in the center
OF the door was slid and a black face appear
ed at the opening. The captain was recog-
nlzed, and we Were admitted without hesita-
ton. The room was Carpeted and furnished
with an attractive sidebolrd After moisten-
ing our lips we went into an adjoining apart
nont 1t contained a faro bank Half e
dozen PLAYERS sat around the table The
silence was only broken by the mellow click
ing of ivory chips.
One glance was enough. The Congressman
was there, the most interested player of the
lot. He wa 50 intent upon the game that nc
took no heed of his surroundings, His fingers
lovingly played with tho.chips Every card
was watched as though life or death depended
upon it. Beads of sweat stood ON the broad,
white brow His eyes glowed with feverish
impulses. He lost the last cent of his S. notn
calling the turn" After vainly trying to
beg or borrow fresh chip he drew n long
breath and arose from the table. As he saw
us his face colored, and he ncrvously clutched
his coat at the throat. "lt's worse than n
taste for liquor" he said, ALPHABETICALLY II
couldn't help it But | was on the verge of
good luck If yous only loan mo s. moro IL
pay you back in five minutes"
His countenance fell at the shake of the
head, and be went down stairs. Tho secret of
his downfall was cut "Night, noon auG
morning observed the captain, has he been
at the faro table for ten years, and night.
| noon and morning will be remain there until
| be dies"
Ten days ago he stood before Us again ia
| the editorial rooms of great morning news
paper. He was still beating the copses and
dinglcs Of life an his efforts TO feed his passion
for gambling
AN UNQUENCHABLE APPETITE
These efforts however. contrast unfavorablv
| with those Of a man with an unuuenchahIe
| appetite for liquor He was formerly q night
editor of unsurpassed ability One Saturday
| afternoon he stood on the curb a picture of
sadness and distress. A brother journalist
who had just drawn a weeks salary, passed
| him. Touched by his mournful countenance.
| no luiita D'ith, sdN ilS-- JOuA, what tie
matter with you' You look troubled
The poor fellows chest heavcd, and there
seemed to be a choking sensation in his threat,
| Finally he said; "My wife is sick, and have
| been cut Of work some time | haven't a
| cent, and owe six weeks rent expect to
| find the whole family out on the sidewalk
when / go home tonight
The friend gave him so. and pressed on 10
reporta meeting III Wall street. An hour af-
terward, while returning TO the Office, he
reached the saloon The unfortunate night
Editor stood at the door and took him by the
| lapel of the coat u want yon TO como in and
take drink with me" be said in a maudlin
| tone.
His friend appreciated the situation in an
instant The invitation was accepted. After
the drinks had disappeared and were paid for,
| the friend inquired: "Why, John, where did
| You get your money!
"Struck fresh sucker an hour ago for $40"
was tho prompt reply
The city is filled with taen who have drop
| ped from the ladder of fame and who draw
sustenance for their passion from the indus,
trious members of the generation who have
| succeeded them You find them in restau-
rants, at horse races, onsthe streets and else
where, but you too often find them where
| they are the least welcome-at your desk
New York Letter