The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1904-02-18
BY EMERSON ffOUGF


"Some ill fortune?"-he began po-
litely.
There Is no such thing as ill for
tune" QuOth John Law. I'VE fail al
ways of our own fault. Forsooth |
must explore Roman roads by night.
England hath builded better, and the
foOtpads have the Roman ways. My
brother Willie waiteth below, if We
please, good friends, and is quite as
hungry as myself, besides having
pricked finger to boot-and | lost
what little we had about us, and we
came through with scarce a good shirt
between the two"
A peal of laughter greeted him as he
pulled apart the lapels of his coat and
showed rufiles torn and disflgured.
The speaker smiled gravely.
Tomorrow" said he, Il must seek
me out a goldsmith and haberdasher,
il you will be SO good as to name such
to me-"
Sir" said Sir Arthur Pembroke,
Gin this plight you must allow me-"
He extended a purse which he drew
from his pocket. Il beg you, help
yourself"
THANK you, no." replied John Law.
81 shall ask you only to show me the
goldsmith in the morning, him upon
whom / hold certain credits. / make
no doubt that then | shall be quite fit
again. l have never in my life Dor
rowed a coin. Besides, | should feel
that l had offended my good angel did
| ask 1t to help me out of mine own
folly. If we have but q bit of this
cold joint, and place for my brother
Will to sit in comfort as we play, |
shall beg to hope, my friends, that
shall be allowed to stake this trifle
against little of the money that see
here; which, take it, is subject to the
fortunes of war"
He tossed on the board ring, which
carried in its setting diamond of
size and brilliance.
This fellow hath a cool assurance
enough" muttered Beau Wilson to his
neighbor as he leaned toward him at
the table.
Pembroke, always good-natured,
laughed at the effrontery of the new
conner.
you say very we'll; it is there for
the fortune of war;" said he. 1T is
all yours. if you can win it; but warn
you, beware, for l shall have your
jewel and your letters of credit too,
II we keep not sharp watch"
YES" said Castleton, Pembroke
hath warrant for such speech. The
man who can make sept ct lie va thrice
In one evening is hard company for
his friends"
John Law leaned back comfortably
In his chair.
81 make no doubt" said he, that
shall make trente ct lie va, here at this
table, this very evening"
Smiles and goodnatured sneerings
met this calm speech.
"Trente ct lie va-it hath not come
out in the history of London play for
the past four seasons!" cried Wilson.
''I'll lay you any odds that you're not
within eye-sight of trente ct lie va these
next five evenings, if you favor us
with your company"
BE easy with me, good friends"
said John Law. calmly. Il am not yet
in condition for individual wagers, as
my jewel is my fortune, till tomorrow
at least. But if ye choose to make the
play at Landsknecht, will plunge at
the bank to the best of my capital.
Then, if I win, shall be blithe to lay
ye what We like"
The young Englishmen sat looking
at their guest with some curiosity.
His strange assurance daunted them.
Good sir" said Law, "let us first
of all have the joint"
81 humbly crave pardon, sir" said
Pembroke "In this new sort of dis
course had forgot thine appetite. We
shall mend that at once. Here, Simon.
Go fetch up Mr.. Laws brother, who
waits below, and fetch two covers and
a bit to eat. Some of thy new Java
berry, too, and make haste! We have
much yet to do"
NOW we must to business" cried
Castleton, as the dishes were at last
cleared away. ''Show him thy tails
man, PEN, and let him kiss his jewel
good by"
Pembroke threw upon the table once
more the moccasin of the Indian girl.
John Law picked it up and examined
it long and curiously, asking again and
again searching questions regarding its
origin.
II have read of this new land of
America" said he. Some day it will
be more prominent in all plans
He laid down the slipper and unused
for moment, apparently forgetful of
the scene about him.
Perhaps" cried Castleton, the zeal
of the gambler now showing in bis
eye. But let us make play here to-
night. Let Pembroke bank His luck
is best to win this vaunters stake"
Pembroke dealt the cards about for
the first round. The queen fell John
Law won. "DeuX," he said, calmly,
and turned away as though it were
matter Of course. The cards went
round again. "Trois," he said, as he
glanced at his stakes. now doubled
again.
Wilson murmured. "Luck's with
him for start" said he, but it's
long road" He himself had lost at the