"Can I serve you in anything?" was the inquiry which concluded my

assurance that I was sufficiently his friend to sympathize with

him in his afflictions.

"You can serve me, and I need your service. You can serve me in

two respects; nay, if you do not, I know not which side to turn

for service. In the first place, then, I wish a hundred dollars,

and I wish it to-night. In the next place, I wish a companion--a

man not easily scared, who will follow where I lead him, and take

part in a 'knock down and drag out,' if it should become necessary,

without asking the why and the wherefore."

"You shall have the money, Kingsley."

"Stay! Perhaps I may never pay it you again."

"I shall regret that, for I can ill afford to lose any such sum;

but, even to know that would not prevent me from lending you in

your need. It is enough that you are in want. You tell me you are."

"I am; but my wants are not such as a pure moralist, however strong

might be his friendship, would be disposed to gratify. I shall

stake that money on the roll of the dice."

"Impossible! You do not game!"

"True as a gospel! Hark you, Clifford, and save us the homily. I

am a ruined man--ruined by the d---d dice and the deceptive cards.

I shall pay you back the hundred dollars, but I shall have precious

little after that."

"But, surely, I was not misinformed. You were rich a few years

ago."

"A few months! But the case is the same. I am poor now. My riches

had wings. I am reduced to my tail-feathers; but I will flourish

with these to the last. I have fallen among thieves. They have

clipped my plumage--close! close! They have stripped me of everything,

but some small matters which, when sold, will just suffice to get

me horse or halter. Some dirty acres in Alabama, are all I absolutely

have remaining of any real value. But there is one thing that I

may have, if I stake boldly for it."

"You will only lose again. The hope of a gamester rises, in due

degree, with the increasing lightness of his pockets."

"Do not mistake me. I hope nothing from your hundred dollars;

indeed, fifty will answer. I propose to employ it only as a pretext.

I expect to lose it, and lose it this very night. But it will give

me an opportunity to ascertain what I have suspected--too late,

indeed, to save myself--that I have been the victim of false dice

and figured cards. You say you will let me have the money--will

you go with me--Will you see me through?"

He extended his hand as he spoke, I grasped it. He shook it with a

hearty feeling, while a bright smile almost, dissipated the cloud

from his face.




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