The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-22
you will be succefssul. However, there's

 stately and old-fashioned courtesy. He was white-hared old gentleman, of spare, erect figure, and wore very large spectacles, through which he beamed upon the company in benevo- lent and genial manner During the meal he told many curious stories of his adventures, 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 Mir. Punter; you mustn't chatf him too much He may have revolver in his pistol pocket, though he is such an innocent
 After dinner, not much time was lost in getting to business. Mir. Buttershaw had invested in small roulette table. at the earnest solicitation of his friends, and after short discussion 1t was de cided to try how it worked just for beginning But all Sir Hector attempts to make the general join in were fruit less. On being vehemently pressed to declare the reason for his reluctance. the old man at length modestly ac- knowledged the cause of his scruples
 The fact is. he said that 1 have only gambled about three or four times in my life, and upon each occasion l have won very considerable sums of ,G have lost, and cannot bear to think that may have been the cause of un- happiness, and even of poverty.
 But, my dear sir laughed Sir Hec tor, some one must win and some one must lose. If you always win, should advise you to stick to it. 1 only wish that l always did.
 The general mournfully shook his head :" l 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 l remembcr-' and he appeared to Ina lost in melancholy re- flections.
 We'll what happened then?'
 was induced to play game called poker believe there is such game, is there not?"
 "I believe there is,' chuekled Mir. Punter
 "l did not understand it at all, con tinued the general. We played with counters, and 1 merely did as was told but at the end of the evening found had won, gentlemen, no less than sixty dollars!'
 The other gentlemen seemed to be seized with violent fits of coughing; but the general was evidently oblivious of his surroundings, and went on did not like it at all, and 1 could not restore the money, for did not know even the names of many of those with whom I played.
 So what did you do with it2"
 l gave it to q hospital said the gen eral solemnly; and three weeks after wards one of the gamblers of that even ing shot himself at Monte Carlo.
 Well, I'm sure that none of us are likely to shoot ourselves" said Mir. Pun ter; so you had better join Us for once general You can stake as low as you like
 No, my dear sir, really cannot; but don trouble about me. I'll look on.
 Mir Buttershaw shrugged his shoul- ders, indicating that further argument was hopeless, and the game proceeded. l The general watched it with much in tcrest frequently signing and lifting his eyebrows i'll mute protest as the stakes grew higher. The result was much the same as usual Buttershaw being the l principal loser to the tune of about el50 The general sympathized with his friend after somewhat curious fashion.
 It's just as well that you should lose my dear boy; you have plenty to spare and don't like to see you win from your guests
 You needn't be nervous, general" !" said MT. Buttershaw grimly; tits about nine months since 1 won halfpenny
 Rum old fish, that" said Sir Hector as he and Mir Punter walked home in the early morning. Ut will be rare sport to get him to play"
 Oh, we'll do it some of these nights, never fear. Buttershaw gave me hint not to frighten him at first. But what an old innocent it is!
 Mir. Punter's prophecy came true not very long afterwards. The same com pany assembled in Mir. Buttershaw's s rooms and, owing either to the excel fence of the liquor provided by his host or to the persuasive tongue of Mir. Pun ter the general gave way, and consented to join in game just to amuse the com pany The company, however, were not quite so much amused as they had expected, for the worthy old man carried everything before him; and the more he won, the more apologetic and depre- catory he became.
 /" was right he earnestly protested; :; " am fated to win. Gentlemen, don't you think had better stop! would much rather put this money-I fear it is nearly E50-in the pool, and leave you play for it
 Of course, nobody would agree to so absurd proposition, and the general continued to play, winning with extra ordinary steadiness, but lamenting the ,tN1- |