The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-18

the time that human nature first
opened its eyes. A disposition to
steal somethin' was born just a few
moments before, but a man may gam
BILE and not be a thief. There is
such thing as an honest gambler
that is, gambler who is willing to
give man fair chance-to lose his
money. The gambler wants your
money, and it amt much trouble for
him to accommodate his conscience as
to the way he gets it. If he is sharp
er than you are he compliments him.
self with the fact that he understands
his business, and every man that has
a trade likes to know its details better
than the other man does"
Thus spoke old Limuel to a zfew
friends who were gathered about the
ireside in the Jucklin home. The
wind was bowling and the snow, like
shredded sheets, was flying past the
windows.
But you don't believe that all
gamblers are thieves?" remarked old
man Brizintine.
Il said | didn't But there amt
nothin that will strain a mans hon
esty more than gamblin' will"
That's been preached on many
time" Brizintine spoke up But
never gambled in my life, and"
And you don't know Just how far
you are honest" Linn broke in.
Il don't know that l understand
you"
Didn't think you did, replied Juck-
lin. But l can explain. The man
that CANDLES has more temptations to
steal than any other man. When he
has lost everything a strong resent
ment arises against life. 1t is almost
impossible for him to believe that he
has been fairly beaten, and if he is
broad enough to acknowledge this he
then questions Fate for her one
sidedness. He wants to know what
right she's got to discriminate so
against him.
unfortunately for man, work was
put on him as a curse. The fact is.
it ennobles him, but he accepted it as
a curse. And when his brother has
committed a crime, not grave enough
w mans llhiy uS says. VIII SEN |
tence you to work In the olden times
man that worked want respected as
much as the highwayman. They |
hanged the robber, it is true, but they
respected him more than they did
the man that handled the hoe. And |
the gambler is a sort of social high |
wayman. l don't say he is a bad fell |
Ter. In many instances he per-
suades himself to believe that |
his profession is right He puts I'D
his money, takes chances, and If he
wins he has come by the money as
honestly as if he had dug in the
ground for it-he thinks. And as long
as he wins he may be honest. But
his principles undergo a change when
he begins to lose. Then he can't
help feelin' that he is givin the
other Teller too much show. When he
has lost all he must have money in
order to carry on his business. Sup
pose he is employed to collect money
suppose he is in a bank. If he
refrains from takin' money to gam
bic with he is honest-desperately
honest, you might say. And he may
refrain day after day-for years; but
some day he may find himself weak.
This weakness may consist of an over
IN self-in an overabun-
dance of hope, in a faith that he will
win and can pay back. Right there
he is gone. Think you are strong
enough to stand such a temptation as
that, Brother Brizintine?"
Il would not use any mans money"
Brizintine answered. Il surely have
sense enough to know what is my
own, and knowing what is not my own
have honesty enough not to take it."
YES" replied Jucklin, land what
you have said is the answer that nine
1ut of ten men would make-and hon
estly, too But the fact is, you don't
Know"
What! do you mean to say l don't
Snow whether or not I'm honest?"
Il mean just what l say-you don't
Know. 1t is all very well for the IN
ried man to believe himself strong.
'ut unless he has been severely tried
lie does not know"
DO you know, Brother Jucklin?"
We'll, I'll tell you just how far l
lnow. Many years ago was workin'
It mill that took in a good deal of !
money. Finally they gave me charge
# it. Along about that time party
# us used to meet two or three times /
. week to play a social game of poker
t got to be so sociable that it kept s
ne broke, knew that it was largely
game of luck and that the cards J
would break even after awhile, and
hat may be true, in the long run. v
nut the run is too long In the course @
# a thousand years they might have L
roke even, but as it was, they broke Y
With just enough promise to hold me \
led in fascination to the game 1
egan to borrow money-and it took
II of my wages to pay it back. One e
light went over to meet the boys. n
didn't have cent of my own, and \
wouldn't have gone if l hadn't h
bought that some one would lend me v
nough to get into the game. But n
veryone hemmed and hawed and g