The midland journal., 1886-07-16

AAo "Ae's - e0tss' AA4un0O tu0
baronet ..t..I...
"Why, nothing will induce him to
play cards"
"Oh, we'll soon get him over that"
swell, l wish you would. for, of course,
it's nuisance when one man insists
upon standing out; but don't think
you will be successful However. there's
no harm in trying"
The evening duly arrived, and Mr..
Buttershaw's guests were presented to
the general, who received them with
stately and old-fashioned courtesy. He
was white-haired old gentleman, of q
spare, erect figure, and wore very large
spectacIes, through which he beamed
upon the company in benevolent and
genial manner. During the meal he
told many curious stories OF his adven-
lures his marked American accent
adding much to their point, while his
refreshing innocence of certain subjects
amused his hearers vastly. He had
never made bet in his life, had only
twice entered theatre, and seemed to
know as much about women as hermit.
"This old simpleton will be the death
of me-" whispered the baronet to the
Hon. Paul Punter, who made one of the
party.
"Hush!" said Mr.. Punter; "you
mustn't chaff him too much. He may
have revolver in his pistol pocket,
though he is such an innocent"
"The fact is" said the general, "that
have only gambled about three or four
times in my life, and upon each occasion
have won very considerable sums of
money. Now, of course some one must
have lost, and I cannot bear to think
that may have been the cause of un.
happiness, and even of poverty"
"But, my dear sir" laughed Sir
Hector. "some one must win and some
one must lose. If you always win. I
should advise you to stick to it. only
wish that I always did"
The general mourufully shook his
head. IT have known so much misery"
he continued, "come from gambling
other men may play, that is not my
affair, but you must really excuse me.
The last time I member" and he
appeared to be lost III melancholy re-
Elections.
-" Swell. what happened then ?"
" was induced to play game called
poker. I believe there is such game,
is there not 2" ....-.-
"I believe there is" chuckled Mr..
Punter.
Z" did not understand it at ALL" con-
tinued the general. 1--WE played with
counters and merely di as was told;
but, at the end of the evening, found T
had won, gentlemen, no less than sixty
dollars I did not like it at all, and I
could not restore the money, for did
not know even the names of many of
those with whom played"
$50 what did you do with it ?"
81 gave it to an hospital, " said the
general, solemnly; sand three weeks
afterward one of the gamblers of that
evening shot himself at Monte Carlo"
"Well. I'm sure that none of us are
likely to shoot ourselves" said Mr..
Punter; $50 you had better join us for
once, general You cau stake me Us low
as you like"
"No, my dear sir, I really cannot !;
but don't trouble about me. I'll look on. "
The result was much the same as
usual. Buttershaw being the principal
loser to the tune of about e150. The
general sympathized with his friend
after somewhat cu"ious fashion.
"It's just Us we'll that you should lose,
my deir boy; you have plenty to spare,
and don't like to SOC yo1 wIu from
your guests"
"You needn't he nervous, general, +"
said Mr. ButterSilaw, grlmlvG Its
about nine months slnce l Won half
penny"
"Rum old fish. that" said Sir Hector,
as he and Mr.. Punter walked home i'll
the early morning. "It would be rare
sport to get him to play"
"Oh we'll do it some of these nights,
never fear. Buttershaw gave a hint
not to frighten him ut irst. But what
an old innocent it is =
Mr.. Punter's prophecy came true not
very long afterward. The same COM
pany assembled i'll Mr.. Buttershaw's
| rooms but were not ouita 90 much