GAMBLING. 
49 
calling for another deal. Again his card is turned up. It can¬ 
not possibly lose four times in succession. He throws on 
his entire purse. It is lost. He goes out penniless. Another 
shrewd man was standing by, betting small sums on the oppo¬ 
site card, and consequently had won four times in succession. 
He had discovered the remarkable fact , that the card oppo¬ 
site the above described unlucky one, would invariably win. 
He determined to make a fortune by his discovery. The deal 
takes place, the unlucky card comes out, and he puts a large 
sum on the other one. The cards are drawn, and, strange as 
it may seem, the unlucky card wins. This appeared doubly 
strange to the shrewd man. He took another drink, and felt 
positive it could not happen so again. Another deal, and 
the indefatigable unlucky card is again in the field. Again the 
shrewd man bets, and again the unlucky card wins. The shrewd 
man displays as much courage as his predecessor, and is soon 
prepared to leave in the same financial condition. 
The bystanders grow a little suspicious. The cards are again 
dealt, small bets are made and won by the bystanders. The 
gambler “treats,’ 7 bystanders again bet, win, are “treated,’ 7 and 
grow courageous. A better state of feeling exists; the gambler 
grows more complacent, and treats oftener. All are anxious to 
bet, the gambler is considered one of the best of fellows—one of 
that kind of men who would a little prefer losing money to win¬ 
ning it. Again bets are made and won, and all appear anxious to 
share the gambler’s money, as it is, doubtless, about to be distribu¬ 
ted among the fortunate bystanders. All drink and bet liberally; 
but this time they lose. This is, however, the first loss, and 
they bet again, but it so happens that they lose this time also. 
They drink and bet again, and again lose. They now find that 
they have only half as much money as they commenced with. 
They now resolve to recover what they have lost, and quit. But, 
alas! when the victim arrives at this point in the drama, he is 
lost. He loses every bet, until, seized by a feeling of reckless 
desperation, he risks all , and is immolated upon the altar of 
avarice. 
Hundreds who have never risked, and who think it impossi¬ 
ble they ever could risk, a dollar in a game of chance, are daily 
drawn into the vortex. They come to town with well-filled 
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