Confession
Page 134"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."
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
"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;
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.