Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-24

1T happened many years ago." the
other begun. "a young man, of about
your, own age was playing recklessly at one
of the tables In the saloon of which am
now proprietor. Everything went against
him, and he lost heavily. Moreover, the
money with which he was specializing was
not his own to lose ALI that he himself
possessed had already vanished. and he
had borrowed from friends on the strength
of drafts and Acknowledgements payable
next day. though he had no money lying
to his credit, and his only hope of meeting
these drafts rested on his chance of win
ming. Luck was dead against him. He
lost all, and at length could borrow nc
more. Nothing lay before him but ruin
and intolerable disgrace. He left the saloon
pale and desperate, determined to square
accounts with the world in the only re.
naming way-namely, by taking his OWL
| life.
"Well," observed Evasio, as the mar.
rator paused moment, she blew out his
brains, suppose, and there was an end Of
him?"
Hear me to the end, )" was the grave re-
ply. "A lady, young and beautiful had
entered the saloon with her husband, from
| w
Her attention CHANGED to be directed to-
ward the young man whom have men
toned and she watched with pity his
heavy losses. But when she saw him rise
and leave the saloon, with the pale set
look of desperation ON his face, she could
! not Dear to be silent and turning to her
husband she said: 1 am sure that man
intends to do something dreadful to him
self! Let us follow him and ask if we can
help him.
Her husband resisted the notion as
foolish; but she pleaded so charmingly
ruined gambler into the street. The lat
ter happened to have stopped and to be
leaning against the wall, just where the
light Of a street-lamp fell upon his face and
revealed its expression in all its CHASTITY
agony.
The beautiful lady's heart was more
smitten with compassion than ever.
eco and speak to him!' she entreated
her husband Ask him what we can do
for him! See the despair written on his
face! Oh, poor mani
And her husband went (for he was
newly married, and his lovely wife could
do what she pleased with himl and he
touched the gambler ON the shoulder and
addressed hin"
Again the proprietor paused and turned
his eyes on h listeners face.
Evasio was interested IN spite of him
self by the graphic manner in which the
the narrator told the tale, and he request
ed him to proceed.
1.-The result of the conversation was, "
the proprietor continued, that the ruined
gambler accompanied the lady and gentle
man back to their hotel, and there he told
them the exact circumstances of his losses
and of the disgrace and ruin which await
ed him next morning.
1.-The gentleman was In some hesitation
what to do, but his wife bent over him
from behind as he sat considering and en-
treated him softly: You will lend the
poor man the money he needs, will you
not?'
20 My dear, he protested, it is 5000
FORMS
But You are rich, she pleaded, and
will not miss the money. Oh, do lend it
to him..
so, to out my story short. the beautiful
lady's pleading prevailed And the peor,
ruined devil left the hotel that night with
a draft for 10000 forins In his pocket a
saved man.
THAT is an unexpected end to- the storyi'
exclai med Evasio. Il do not think that
the gambler was going to cheat the devil
after all. Besides, / really don t see how 1T
affects my present case, since no munifi-
cen! stranger is likely to rise up and help
me. Unless with an eager glance at the
proprietor's face, ''you will take pity on
me and lend me some money"
The other shook his head. "a can lend
you nothing" he answered
Very well-dont!'' retorted Evasio,
angrily. (There was a frnamess in the
mans tone which showed his decision ir-
revocabe and thus rendered further civil
ty useless.) But should have thought
that after just speaking SO warmly of
your beautiful lady's kindness, and in con-
sideration too of the sum that have al
ready lost at your tables"
''Stay!' interposed the other, quickly
You speak of your losses. According to
the account you gave me last night, they
amount to 10000 forms. Is that "a cor
rect estimate9"
Il wish to God it was not!' gToaned
EVasio bitterly land that I had never, en-
tered your cursed saloon
The proprietor made no verbal reply,
but he tooka small bundles of papers from
his breast-pocket and laid it on the table
in front of Evasio.
What are these cried the young man
in surprise
Notes for the exact amount of your los
ses. Count them. You will see that I've
restored every penny!'
Il do not UNDERESTIMATE was all that
Evaslo could gasp out. Surely his ears
must be playing him false.
Hear my explanation then!''
said the proprietor. THAT gambler
whom | told you of vowed that, should
fortune ever give him the chance of serv-
ing his lovely benefactress, or any of hers,
he would eagerly embrace it. | knew you
at once, by your Likeness to her, to be her
son. Can you not guess? That kind lady
was your mother-tbe gambler, myself!'
Eyasio sat dumb with amazement. He
could not utter so much as word of
thanks
The other rose, took up his hat and
stick and walked to the door. On the
threshold he paused, turned around, and
said gravely:
II make one stipulation, that you re-
turn to England today. And when you
reach home, you will tell, perhaps, to your
lady mother, that the poor devil whom
she saved long ago at Homburg has not
forgotten her or her generous kinduess!'
London Truth.
Ghostly Find in Cave.
Last Friday Mr. Baker Ramsey. DR..
Sheed, D. S. Hare and myself were out
fox-hunting, writes correspondent of the
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