The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-03-03
GAMBLER RANSOM.
How He Saved Man from Ruin and HIedc
Family Happy.

Family Happy.
81 could relate hundreds of stories
about his life," said shining light of
the N. Y. Athletic Club speaking to a re-
porter of the n. Y. liGu & Express about
the well-kpown sporting man Charley
Ransom, who died recently. There is
one story about him which the papers
have not published yet Charley and
mado tho acquaintance of what VIC
thought to be q very wealthy man at the
Monmouth Beach racc-coursc two years
ago last summer. He WAS introduced
to us by prominent official of police
headquarters. After the races were
over. all three went over to Long
Branch. Charley and | came up to this
city on an early train, leaving our new
acquaintance behind. never saw him
after that, but Charley one day met him
on Broadway, near Twcnty-third street.
They went to the Fifth Avenue hotel TO
get drink. I don't know exactly how
it was, but that same night both sat
down in the room of n ncghboring ho-
tel to play draw.pollcr do not wish
to disclose the gcntlcman's name. be-
cause he is n good father now and be-
cause such indiscrcctness on ny part
might hurt his present fair chances; but
he was n confoundcd ass for his own
sake. Charley was an honest fellow,
however, and he played II square game.
Our new friend dropped 1875 that night,
all he had in his possession. He madc
an appointment for the next evening in
tho hope of getting even, but he again
quit loser. This time he threw up his
hands TO the tune of 81 200. They kept
playing every odd night until the mid
die OF the following December Our
gay friend by that time was minus, ac-
cording to his own calculation $1S.90O.
Charley wanted him 10 give up poker
half 4 dozen times before he lost this
amount, but in each instance he refused.
The fellow commenced to drink like 4
fish and Charley coniidentialy told me
he'd be hanged before he'd sit down
with him again. lie never did play af-
ter that. although the fellow accused
him of being afraid TO render satisfac-
ton.
"Onc morning about 10 o'clock Char
ley fell in with the would-bc sport Oil
Sixth avenue He was partly intoxicat-
ed, and his disSipatcd appearance de-
noted he had not seen Il bed for several
nights. Charley cndcavorcd to get
away from him on the plea of business.
but 1t was useless. Our friend held on
to the lapel of his ovcrcoat and insisted
that they repair TO Il room and indulge
in game, But the devil could not
have altered Charlcy's fixed dctcrmina-
ton and he said SO. While both were
talking little boy of about II wears
came up and touched the leg of Char
lcy's foolish friend. There was a little
snow on the ground, and the little fc!-
low $ feet protrudcd from broken pair
OF boots. He had ncithcr ovcrcoat nor
mttcns on. and ho really looked the
picture of misery. Turning around, our
friend saw the boy, and Charley often
told me he turned deadly white What
are you doing hcrc? he finally asked
the lad. oh, papa siammcrcd the
boy. moving tckward. as if he was
afraid, 4 have been locking all over for
you. Aunt and mamma sent me to find
you. This drove the fellow almost
mad, and he broke out with f~ightfnl
oaths, winding up by bidding the boy
to get home or he would kick him all
over the street. The lad departed with
out word, but before going he cast a
most s!gnican, but ailuctiunatc look nj
the man he called father
"Charlcy had had enough, and break
ing away from thn mans Grasp he
walked in the opposite direction to That
taken by the boy. The father. after Il
moments hesitation, went into Il rim
mill. When Charley saw him disappear
from View he turned ON his heel and
with quick gait started after the lad.
Tie overlook him at Iwcnry-.ifth street.
The boy would not talk for some time,
but finally he broke down and told all:
informed him how his father was fast
running Il good business down town;
how he had nortgagrd the house they
lived IN, On-Wcii, never mind what
street. how mother, sister, and self were
being neglected. abused, and starved,
and how their once comfortable home
was last going To pieces. Well, the end
OF that business was that sober man
entered his home that night, and q
weeping wife embraced him They
were tears of JOY, assure you. The
mortgage was paid OIL the next day,
good business was revived, and a man
who not long before wished to be
sport. sat down TO dinner with his fami-
ly in his coy dining-room. No matter
how the thing was managed. / prom
iscd dead friend | would never tell
any enc about it. but could not keep
secret, for he was good fellow He
may have been q sporting man; may
have earned living by cards. and may
have associated with some rough per-
sons, but I'll warrant there never
walked along the path of life better
man than Charley Ransom.