Part 28 (1/2)
”It appears to me,” said the Scotchman, quietly, ”that you set too high a value upon money. You have certainly been very foolish to risk it at the gaming-table, and the loss will no doubt inconvenience you; but was your money all you had to live for?”
The young man regarded Ferguson with some surprise; but his excitement was evidently abated. The quiet tone of the speaker had a favorable effect 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 to commence mining at a point on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains where I was almost alone. I 'struck it rich,' and two days since arrived in San Francisco with over two thousand dollars in gold-dust.”
”You were certainly in luck,” said Ferguson, surprised.
”I turned it into money, and, in strolling about the city, was lured into that accursed den. I looked on and was fascinated. I thought I would try my luck. I began with a small stake, and kept on till I had lost every dollar. In one hour the fruits of six months' labor are gone.
Do you wonder that I am reduced to despair?”
CHAPTER XXIII.
A NEW SCHEME.
”I see no cause for despair,” replied Ferguson, in the same calm tone.
”I have not a penny left out of the two thousand dollars I had only an hour since.”
”I understand all that.”
”I am a ruined man,” said the young man, despondently.
”I don't admit that. How old are you?”
”Twenty-one.”
”You are well and strong, are you not?”
”Oh, yes, I have nothing to complain of on that score.”
”Then it appears to me that your loss is not serious. Your capital still remains.”