Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-02-12

lie was tall and fair, ana rntncf slen-
der, with short. light, clustering hair
covering n splendidly shaped hsad.
His eyes were large, Of n deep blue
and very prominent. His hands were
small and ~ dclicatcly shaped almost
m those Of n woman. He was neatly
dressed, and II required but one
glance 20 see that he was thorough
gentleman. lie was very young, his
fsce was smooth. and judged that
he had scarcely passed his twenty.
first year.
Misfortune seemed TO have select.
cd the boy as It's victim. Ho had
been "a unlucky as | had been for
tunate. Every hand he played some
one would have cards just little
larger. He had lost over a thousand
dollars and though hc did not com
plain and cure, "a men usually dc
when thoy have n run Of hard luck,
could see that he was greatly trou'
blod and becoming more desperate
each moment. Finally, about mid
night, some one opened n jackpot
Two or three OF IA staid and when
II got round TO the young fellow 10
my left he carefully examined his
cards and then raised the pot All
dropped out but myself Having a
pair Of kings concluded 20 stand
the raise. called for three cards
and tho young fellow stood pat II
was his first bet and he showed out
quite a stack Of blues.
AFTER looking Mt my hand 20 see
what had caught In the draw, saw
his bot and topped him. He did not
hesitate moment. but called. ]
spread out on tho table full hand
three kings and a pair Of douccs-
while he showed down three jacks
and n pair OF fours. lie gazed at my
hand in bcwildercd, dazed manner
fully two minutes, then quick US u
fash lac druw from his breast n re.
volver and placed II TO his head !
saw tho movement quick MS It was
and wrenched the pistol from his
grusp before no could commit the
desperate act.
II arose from tho table, had my
chips cashed and was preparing 20
leave the room when my eyes rested
ON the boy. His head was resting
ON the table and no was muttcring 10
himself, Ruined RuinGil My God,
am ruinedr saw that II would
never do To leave the poor boy in that
condition, 30 stepping to his side !
gently laid my hand on his bowed
head and asked him 10 follow me. !
shall never forget the look OF misery
and despair ! saw in his face rs be
looked up. Come, go with me- ]
said, and no followed me rs n child
would have done, without n word.
When We reached tho street ! asked
him 10 take a walk with me, telling
him | wished 10 have n talk with
HIM.
"Wc walked around through the
square and out on the old bridge All
was quiet there. and but for ourselves
the place was deserted Have you
any money! asked the boy. Not
n cent on earth. sir. am riinedf
he answered Take this, then, lsaid
drawing from my pocket 5000. Blu
before | let you have II you mus
promise me ON your honor rs gen
tlcmnn-for ! SOC that you are ono
that you will never again entor {
gambling house or play n game o
cards for money, and that you viii
leave tho city this morning. Yo,
can repay the money some day 4
you become able; If not, 1t will 10 al
right. Is 1t agreodf
"Ho graspci my hand and with
tho tears flowing down his check
said: God bless you, sir. You hay,
saved me, and shall remember yol
as long Ms life lasts,
There on tho quiet, doserte,
bridge in that early morning hou
the boy told mo his story. He hat
left n happy. comfortable home up il
the blue grass region Of Kentucky I,
follow tho checlsercd life of n gam
blor He had imbibed the love o
gambling while at school. and 1t hnt
grown ON him until II became n iul
ing passion. II had taken such com
ploto possession OF him that in a mo
ment, blinded with passion and oh
livious TO the teachings Of his child
hood. ho had forged his father
name for several thousand dollars
His father, too proud 10 proclaim {,
tho world that his son was so de
based. paid tho check and let th,
matter drop, Tho boy had followeI
tho races all over the country, some
times winning, but more often losing
and now he had lost his last cent. Ill
would now go home, ask his father
forgiveness and be man once more
IAN this ho told me that night
and when no had concluded tho gray
streal<s in tho east proclaimed tina
another day was dawning Now rant
then n route boy with his arms full
of newspapers would hurry past us
the collar Of his Jacket turned up AM
his cap pulled down over his ears L
protect him from the crisp morninI
air. Heavily loaded market wagon
rlImbled across the bridge, and Il
the distance the shrill notes Of
wakeful chanticleer could be hear
heralding the news to man that
was time 10 prepare for work.
"\Vo left the bridge and went tC