CHAPTER XXII.
A GAMBLING-HOUSE.
Having completed this important business arrangement, the two friendswent out to explore the town. The limits were narrow compared with thoseof the flourishing city of the present day. Where the Palace and Grandhotels now stand was a sand-hill, and the bay encroached upon thebusiness part of the city far more than now.
Scarcely a stone's throw from the grocery, on Montgomery street, betweenCalifornia and Sacramento, was the office of Adams' Express, whichadvertised to forward gold-dust and packages by every steamer.
"I will go in here, Mr. Ferguson," said Tom. "I shall not feelcomfortable till I have started this money homeward. I am sure it willbe wanted."
"Right, my lad. We will attend to it, by all means."
They entered the building,--a very humble one it would now beconsidered,--but they found other customers before them, and had to waitfor their turn.
"What can I do for you?" asked the clerk, in a quick, business-liketone.
"I want to send home a hundred dollars," said Tom.
"Give me the address."
This was done, the money paid over, and a receipt returned in twominutes.
"How long before my father will receive the money?" asked Tom.
"The steamer starts in three days. About a month will be needed."
Then Tom moved aside, and the next man took his place.
"I am glad that is attended to," said Tom, relieved. "Now, Mr. Ferguson,I will go wherever you wish."
"We had better secure a lodging," said the Scotchman. "When we are sureof a bed we can walk about at our leisure."
Lodgings were to be had, but they were generally very dear. The firstroom looked at was five dollars per day, without board,--a price ourfriends were unwilling to pay. Finally they found a decent, though smallroom, with rather a narrow bed, which could be had for three fifths ofthat sum, and they engaged it.
"We will have to go back to the mines soon," said Tom. "San Francisco istoo expensive for us to live in."
"You can afford it better than I, Tom," said his friend.
"Why?"
"Because you have a business that brings you in an income."
"Oh, I forgot that," said our hero, smiling. "Things happen so fast herethat I haven't got used to my new position. Do you think I invested mymoney wisely, Mr. Ferguson?"
"Yes, my lad, since your agent is a trustworthy, honest man."
"I am sure I can trust John Miles."
"If I were not confident of it, also, I would not have encouraged you totake so important a step."
"I think I won't write to father about it," said Tom, after a pause. "Hemight think I had acted foolishly, and become anxious. If I succeed,then I shall be glad to surprise him. I think I shall make money; but Idon't want to count on it too much. I shall be ready to go back with youto the mines whenever you say the word."
As they sauntered about, gazing curiously at the motley sights aroundthem, they heard strains of music. It appeared to proceed from a largewooden building, with a jutting roof, under which, on benches, lounged anumber of persons, some of them Mexicans, in their native costumes,smoking cigarettes. A large American flag was displayed over the door,and a crowd was constantly passing in and out.
"Let us go in," said Tom.
His companion making no objection, they entered. The first sight of theinterior made clear the character of the place. There were numeroustables, spread with games,--faro, monte, and roulette,--each surroundedby an absorbed and interested group. "Easy come, easy go," was the rulewith the early California pioneers, and the gaming-table enlisted in itsservice many men who would not have dreamed at home that they could everbe brought to tolerate such an instrument of evil.
Tom was a country boy, and unsophisticated, but he could not helpunderstanding the nature of the business which brought so many to theplace.
"I suppose they are gambling," he said.
"Yes, poor, deluded creatures!" said the Scotchman, who had been broughtup to an abhorrence of games of chance. "They are wasting their time andtheir substance, and foolishly laying up for themselves future misery."
Had this remark been heard it would have excited indignation, andperhaps subjected the speaker to insult; but the players were toointent upon their varying chances to pay any attention to the remarks ofby-standers.
"I hope, Tom, you will never yield to the seductive lures of thegaming-table," continued Ferguson.
"I don't think there is much danger," said Tom. "I have always beentaught that gambling is wicked."
"May you long feel so, my lad!"
Tom did, however, watch the players with interest. He saw money lost andwon, without understanding exactly how it was decided. From the game hisattention was drawn to the gamesters. He was led to notice,particularly, a young man of prepossessing countenance, who wasevidently profoundly excited. From time to time he drew out a roll ofgold pieces, which he placed on a card, and invariably lost. He musthave had a considerable sum; but, small or large, he was in ill-luck,and constantly lost. As he neared the end of his resources the feverishblush upon his handsome features was succeeded by a deep pallor, andthere was no mistaking the expression of deep anguish and despair whichannounced that he had reached the end.
Tom became painfully interested in the young man, and silently drew theattention of his companion to him. When the end came, and the victim,thoroughly "cleaned out," turned to go out, Tom said, in a low voice,"Let us follow him."
Ferguson acquiesced. He, too, had become interested, and the young man'sexpression as he passed our two friends was so despairing that Fergusonfelt some alarm as to the effect of his disappointment upon his mind.
Once in the street, Ferguson and Tom followed the unfortunate young maninto an obscure street, keeping up with difficulty, for his pace wasrapid and excited. It proved to be a fortunate thing, for when hesupposed himself free from observation the young man drew a pistol, and,with an incoherent exclamation, placed it in contact with his temple.
Tom sprang forward, and so did the Scotchman; but the boy was thequicker and more agile, and dashed the pistol aside just in time toprevent a suicide.
"Why did you do that?" asked the baffled would-be-suicide, gloomily,turning his gaze upon Tom.
"I was afraid you were going to kill yourself."
"So I was."
"What could induce you to take such a rash step?" asked Ferguson.
"I have been a reckless fool. I have lost all my money at the accursedgambling-table, and my life is not worth retaining."
"It appears to me," said the Scotchman, quietly, "that you set too higha value upon money. You have certainly been very foolish to risk it atthe gaming-table, and the loss will no doubt inconvenience you; but wasyour money all you had to live for?"
The young man regarded Ferguson with some surprise; but his excitementwas evidently abated. The quiet tone of the speaker had a favorableeffect upon him.
"I didn't think of it in that light," he admitted.
"Have you no relatives to whom your life is of value?"
"Yes," answered the young man. "I have a mother and sister."
"Would not your death affect them more than the loss of money?"
"Yes."
"It seems to me that to take your life would be to treat them cruelly."
The young man was evidently agitated by contending thoughts.
"I suppose you are right," he said, slowly; "but let me tell you all,and you can judge me better: I arrived in California six months since.My home is in Ohio, not far from Cincinnati. I was fortunate enough tocommence mining at a point on the western slope of the Sierra NevadaMountains where I was almost alone. I 'struck it rich,' and two dayssince arrived in San Francisco with over two thousand dollars ingold-dust."
"You were certainly in luck," said Ferguson, surprised.
"I turned it into money, and, in strolling about the city, was luredinto that accursed den. I looked on and was fascinated. I thought Iwould try my
luck. I began with a small stake, and kept on till I hadlost every dollar. In one hour the fruits of six months' labor are gone.Do you wonder that I am reduced to despair?"