The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-28
BRUTAL DRUDGERY OF FARM LABOR

critically at the members OF the squad
who had come in to see him
Have ye the devils prayer book with
ye?" asked Jim.
That / have" answered the man.
drawing a pack OF cards from his
pocket. will we have bit o the
gospel O. CHANGER"
The body of a disused cart was turned
upside down and six or seven men be-
longing to the squad sat around 1t ana
commenced to gamble for money with
the stranger. For a long while !
watched the play and at last put
penny on a card and won. / put on
another penny and another and won
again and again. for my luck was good.
1t was very interesting. We gambled
until 5 O'Clock in the morning ana AZ
the finish OF the game had prof,ted to
the extent Of twenty-five shillingS. Dur
ing the game ] had eyes for nothing
else the women had gone to bed. but
never noticed their departure, for my
whole mind was given up TO the play.
All day following looked forward to the
evening and the return OF the man with
the DEVILS prayer book. and when he
came I was one Of the flrst to give
hand to turn the disused cart upside
down. The farmers son, Alec Morrison,
n strong. we'll knit youth, barely out OF
his teens, came In to see the play ana
entered into conversation with Moran
Ryan. He worked as bank clerk In
Paisley. but spent every weekend at his
fathers farm. He was well dressed
youth. wore boots which were always
clean and gold ring with blue stone
in the centre OF II shone on one OF his
fingers. took little heed of him, for
my whole being was centred on the
game and my luck was good.
Come Halloween I'll have plenty OF
money TO take home 20 Genmornan,"
said to myself more than once, for on
the second night won over thirty
shillings.
The third night was against me
the third time. the gamblers ownl-
and afterward I lost money every night
But could not resist the call of the
cards, the school fascinated me, and the
, sight OF winners upturned flush" or
run" set my veins on fire. So
7 played night after night and discussed
the chances OF the game day after day.
until every penny in my possession was
| in the hands OF the man with the devils
/ prayer DOCK. before put my HrSt
penny on card had seven pounds in
gold which I intended to take home to
my people in Glenmornan. Now II was
all gone. Gourock Ellen offered me ten
/ shlllings to start afresh. but I would
not accept her money. Norah Ryan
I took no interest In the game. her whole
/ attention was now given up TO the
q farmers son, and 1t was only when ]
/ had spent my last penny that I became
aware Of the fact. He came in to see
her every evening and passed hour after
hour in her company. ! did not Ike
this ] felt angry with her and with
myself. and l hated the farmers son.
: I had many dreams of a future in which
Norah would play prominent part, but
now all my dreams were dashed to
pieces. Although outwardly l showed no
trace OF my feelings I felt very mlser-
: able Norah took no delight In my COM
pany any more. all her spare time was
given up to Alec Morrison. The cards
did not interest me any longer. l
hated them. and considered that they
were the cause OF my present mis-
fortune. II had left them alone and
paid more attention to Norah she would
not have taken so much pleasure in the
other mans company
! nursed my mood for n fortni;ht.
then I turned to tho cards again and
lost all the money in my possession. On
the first week Of November, when the
squad broke UP, had the sum Of two