Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-06-10

"NoD sit dozen and make yourself at
home" he laughed.
more I entered this same place, l have
never staked penny on q game of
chance, and cannot claim my exemp-
ton from the general custom Of the
times on any grounds of personal mo-
rality.
1t was the evening Of the dinner.
Pearson was talking to me In the little
room down stairs. The layouts-faro.
roulette, poker-were on the floor above,
"Tommy, my boy" he said, were
not in this respected occupation for
sheer love Of It,"
had not yet recovered from the
shock Of finding out that he was in 1t
at all.
"We're out for the dust as people
say. But now, Just word. I have no
right to give advice, Lord knows, but
you can stake your life that what tell
you is the truth. If you ever wish for
happiness, don't gamble"
He laughed rather bitterly, l think,
and then went on:
We've had some good times togeth-
err, you and and the Rajah, and he'd
tell you the same thing" (Roach had
gone up stairs.) "Now, the good times
may come back again. l hope they
will. I've watched YOU" he said. tip
ping back my chair as he spoke, land.
bar accidents, you are all right. You'll
grow decent man and make some
thing. I'll back you for it.
"I'm sure it's very kind" began.
II can't tell you
mo; it is not very kind" he interpos-
ed. cat least, I'm not SO sure. have
not finished what I was going to say.
Perhaps 1t would have been better II l
had just nodded to you today or cut
you dead, but could not have done it,
you know" he added, 'eyen If I'd
thought"
He paused, and was about to speak,
when again he stopped me.
"Listenv' he said. "You need not
talk. Afterward you can do what you
please"
"Just now you can't possibly harm
yourself by letting me be your friend.
When the time comes-the time you
cannot do so-you'll find 1t out, or If
you don't will tell you, mark me-"
'It will never come" l burst out,
half extending my hand, for was
touched.
you can't tell" he answered. II
think 1t will"
had not noticed until then that
Roach had entered while we were talk
Ing. He stood there big and silent,
cigar In the corner Of his mouth, his
heavy eyebrows arched and his fore
head wrinkled in great folds, while his
eyes had PARKWAY, thoughtful express
sion In them. He was listening, could
see that plainly.
Pearson glanced at him and smiled.
Then he turned to me again and spoke
In that deep, even voice Of his.
"What I mean is this" he said. I'VE
will be glad to see you here where we
are sitting. It's not half bad place to
come to, but up there" and he jerked
his hand toward the stairway you do
not want to go-here or in any other
eelpot Promise me-"
l looked about the room. 1t was
small, as have said before, but 1t was
big with books. What tempting things
books are to those who love them!
Let me tell you something" contin-
ued Pearson, as / did not answer. He
placed his heavy hand on my knee and
swung 1t to and fro. This is some
thing I would tell any one who asked
me- No luck or system can beat big
odds against you in the long run. We
live off people who think otherwise.
Take my word for it. Don't we, Ra-
jahT
Roach jIngled the crystal pendants
Of candelabrum with his fingers and
nodded. Then he threw his big cigar
viciously into the fireplace and left the
room.
My dismay at the avowal Of my
friends occupation had faded to dull
regret. And yet, strange to say, con-
fessed to feeling Of resentment at the
rather patronizing air that | thought
Pearson had assumed toward me, and
l remained silent.
Suddenly he arose and took step or
two backward. until he leaned with his