Savannah morning news., 1886-06-20
RUINED BY THE TIGER.
So GIVEN IN CHARITY LOST AT
THE FARO TABLE.

Storms of Applause Brought TO th'
DreGs of Poverty by His Passion fol
Gambling.
NEW YORK, June 19.-Not long ago we
went into Kosmak's to get German din
Rer. 1t was when the restaurant was in
the basement, next TO the express ONCE.
While sitting eating noodle soup and
leberwurst we saw at side table man
with a massive face, penetrating eyes,
and a broad forehead. With his futy
gray hair he looked like the stereotyped
picture Of Beethoven. In the reign OF
James Buchanan he was very promi-
uent politician in Pennsylvania. AS a
stump speaker be had few equals. He
has written leading articles for many
daily newspapers and he is a thorough
political economist. A more entertaining
conyersationalist it would be difficult to
find. Time had evidently treated him
harshly. He looked like an old burdock
burr gone TO seed. His shabby coat was
buttoned tight to his throat, but not tlght
enough to hide the dirty flannel under
shirt beneath it, for he wore neither COL
lar nor muslin garment. His shoes were
cracked. and his soft felt hat was mucn
the worse for wear. There was not the
slightest trace OF dissipation about him.
He seemed dOwncast and lost In thought.
The last time we had seen him was on the
floor of a Democratic State Convention.
He was then dressed in broadcloth, and
was making a speech so eloquent and i'm
passiOned that he repeatedly brought
down the house.
Alta loss to account for a change in his
appearance, we invited him to dine. He
took a potato salad and some beer but
was moody and reserved. He would not
L. ha rnA aaf 70,
talk about anybody else. 1t was evident
that be was very needy. When five dol
lar note was pressed into his hand his
Byes filed with tears.
~ did not ask YOU for this" he said in
voice broken with emotion.
''NO, indeed you did not" we argued.
@But | know you need it. Take it, and
get clean underclothes and a shirt. l
know that you have no appetite for liquor
or 1 would not offer it to you. Ii you are
ever again in good circumstances you can
repay it,"
He rose and grasped us conVulsively
by the hand. "Pll never forget this as
long as live,' he said impressively, aud
walked hurriedly from the restaurant.
Capt. Wallace, well known gambler,
sat twenty feet away. The old man had
hardly reached the sidewalk before the
Captain was at our side. 81 saw you
talking with the Congressman just nOw.''
be said, "and | think l saw you give him
some money. Did he ask you for any Y'
"NO," was the answer. "He looked
poor and seedy, and gave him enough TO
fix himself up. That was all He mas
gone out to buy a shirt and collar and
clean underclothing."
The Captain bad a sarcastic smile on
bis face. "Come with me, )" he said, land
see now he fixes himself up. 1t will in
terest men like YOU"
After paying the reckoning, we follow
ed the Captain. He escorted us around
the corner into Ann street. Up narrow
stairway we stumbled into a little entry
on the second floor. There bell was
Iung. A small panel in the centre of the
door was slid and black face appeared
at the opening. The Captain was recog-
nized, and we were admitted without hes
Itation. The room was carpeted and fur
nished with an attractive sideboard.
After moisteniBg our lips, we went inIo
an adjoining apartment. 1t contained a
faro bank. Half a dozen players sat
around the table. The silence was only
broken by the mellow clicking of ivory
chips and the sharp rattle of the cue-box.
One glance was enough. The "COn-
gresham" was there, the most interest
ed plaN er of the lot. He was so intent
upon the game that be took no heed OF his
surroundings. His fingers lovingly play
ed with the chips. Every card was watch
e1 a. though lite or death depended upon
it, Beads Of sweat stood on the broaa
white brow. Tue fluffy gray hair fairly
curied under the intense mental interest
eyinced By the old man. His eyes gl0wed
WITH feverish impulses. He lest the last
cent Of the five dollar note in 'calling the
turn After Yairly try NJ to beg or bOr-
row a fresh CHIP be drew a long breath
and arose from the table. AS ne saw US
his face cOlOred aud be neryously clutch
ed his coat at the throat. "Its worse
than taste for liquor" he SAID apOOget-
ically. Il couldn't help it. But was
on tue verge of good luck. II yOu'll only
loan me five dollars more Pll pay you
back in i've minutes"
His countenance tell at shake OF the
head, and he went down stairs. The Sc
cret of his downfall was out. might,
noon and morning" observed the Captain,
''has be 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 me again
in the editorial rooms of great morning
newspaper. He had probably already
forgotten the scene at Kosmak's, for ne
bore bimself with much dignity. He ask
ed for loan OF ten dollars on the plea
that be was engaged 10 argue a bill at AL
bany. which would bring MIN in $3.50. He
departed a sadder II not a wiser man.
he WAS STILL BEATING THE CoPsEs AND
DINGLES
Of life in his efforts to iced his passion for
gambling. These efforts. however, con
trast uniaVOrably with those OF a man
with an unquenchable appetite for liquor
de was formerly night editor of unsur-
passed ability. One Saturday, afternoon
be stood ON the curb near the Times build
ing, picture Of sadness and distress. A
brother journalist, who had just drawn
weeks salary, passed him. Touched by
bis mOurnful cOuntenauce, be turned back.
saying "JOhn, what's the matter with
you? You look troubled"
"Thars all right" he responded slowly
and as theugh In pain. "a mans gTiefs
are mis- own property, are they notp'
THAT'S so, John, unless be chooses To
avail himself Of the good will Of his
friends" said mis- newspaper comrade.
The poor fellows chest heayed, and
there seemed 10 he a choking sensation in
his throat. Finally be said: "Aly wife is
sick, and have been cute work for some
time. / haven't a cent, and / owe six
weeks rent. / expect 20 find the Whole
family out Oh the sidewalk when ! 20
home tonight"
How much do you owei" was the next
question.
81 owed fifteen dollars fortnight acc. -
he answered. ''Jonn Reid Just loaned me
i've dOllar-. and II had ten more / think
/ could pull through"