A Gambler's Victim.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 664, 23 September 1876, Page 6 (Supplement)

A Gambler's Victim.

The 'distinguishing characteristics of. the S#n. Francisco gambler of to-day are' obtyusivcness in the sunlight, where his. faultless make-up excites the envy of the brainless fops, who, imitating his style of dress, sigh with envy that the insouciance of their ideal is beyond their graslp ; and invisibility'b.y night, so perfect that not the keenest of our Argus-eyed policemen cjin ever ducover him. • The 'John Oakhursf type of Bret Harte's creation finds no counterparts here, The gambler whose pledge .can be relied upon ; whose sense of honor is, outside of his business, as keen as that of the most upright ; whose word is as good as his bond, lives only in novels'So at least, one ' young man about town,' whose residence is on Geany-street, avers. A few months ago he was prevailed upon by some who were older in folly than himself to accompany them to the green, table, and defy the tiger in his lair. He went, And soon became a regular, habitue. Two weeks ago he found himself stripped of all he-possessed by the insafible beast, and utoahle to meljt a tithe of the debts of honor he had contracted. He had become intimate with the professional gentlemen who owned the gilded cage of man-eater 1 and to him he then unbosomed himself. The gambler condoled > with h|s young friend, learned the particulars of his financial condition, and gave him some advice. The victim was a stcck-broker's clerk. The tempter explained to him how he could ' borrow' a larga some of money from his employer, and in a single night at the gaining table win back all that he had lost, and more, when he could return the embezzled funds and no one would De the wiser. The unfortunate youth did as his mentor suggested. He lost all the money he Uad taken, and then, when frenzied by his losses ne broke out in curses against him who had lured him to ruin, he was forcibly ejected from the dan. The next day his defalcation was discovered. His employer of course discharged and meditated prosecuting him, but upon the penitent fully unbosoming himself he consented, on account of his youth and the disgrace to his family, to leave the punishment of his crimes to his conscience. And this is the story of but one man.