A RECORD CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1819, 18 June 1897, Page 2

A RECORD CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.

THE RESULTS OF GAMBLING. ! [By J.S., Bald Hill Flat.]

The hero of this story was a vounc man named James William Frederick MeClosky McMicken, who attempted suicide by severing J the main artery of the lett arm with a pair of old shears, which had shorn hundreds of sheep. This young man was the only son of a Scotch minister, who died in his 97th year, leaving his beloved wife and only son to mourn his loss. He was verv delicate in health and had every appearance of following his father, and his mother, seeing this, thought it advisable to interview her medical adviser. Alter making a thorough examination of Fred (as we will call him) the doctor came to the conclusion that a trip to New Zealand would be the only way health could be restored. His beloved mother could not think of parting with her only son, but seeing that Fred was getting worse made up her mind to let him go. After making the necessary arrangements for letters

of introduction for Fred to influential firms in Dunedm, she broached the subject to him. He was delighted to think ot the trip, and the possibility of regaining his health. His boxes were stocked with suitable clothes for the voyage, and for the New Zealand climate, and a small sum of L3OO was placed in a secret drawer in the box, which sum was to be placed in the bank on his arrival in New Zealand. The day of departure arrived, and one can picture the sad scene. When Fred told me the circumstances he cried like a child, and it actually brought tears to my eyes. The time of departure came, and his dear mother kissed her beloved son. and placed in his hand a purse with L6O in sovereigns, and impressed on his memory by a prayer not to drink or gamble, as it was sure destruction, and this Fred promised not to do. He left by train for Glasgow, took ship, and arrived in Liverpool and enjoyed the change. Two days later he took a saloon passage for New Zealand in one of the liners which was to sail in a few days. Having no friends in Liverpool he felt lost and lonely and was only too glad to make a friend. On visiting the vessel the following day he met three gentlemen who sail in the same boat, and a sad meeting it was for poor Fred.' Two of them styled themselves New Zealand squatters, who were home on a pleasure trip ; the other was m* troduced as a young doctor, taking a trip for the good of his health. This young doctor was the identical young man that Fred thought to make his companion, and it was quickly arranged that it should be so. The young doctor made his whole affairs known to Fred impressing on him that he had plenty of money, and if he, Fred, was short, he could supply him with a few pounds (say LSO or L6O) until he arrived in New Zealand. Fred who thanked him kindly, said he had a few hundreds in his chest, and would not require it; Now this was what the young doctor wanted to know. He acquainted his two squatter friends, and the plot was soon arranged to ruin poor Fred. It is really heartrending to think of it. The day of departure arrived, and before many hourspoor Fred was helpless with sea sickness, and thought he would surely die. The young doctor was so gentle, kind and attentive to Fred that he thought he was an angel from heaven. Fred recovered from the sea sickness before the week passed, and began to feel better than usual. The plot was arranged to relieve poor Fred of his ieAv hundreds by the way of gambling. The two squatters would play together day after day, apparently with great interest, and laugh and joke together, and this caused a certain amount of amusement to others. After a few days, the doctor joined the card party and made it appear to his friend, Fred, that it was great fun, and no harm in it. It was only a few shillings loss or gain either ways, and these squatters were jolly fellows, and further it would be no loss to make their acquaintance as they were men of great standing in New Zealand. Poor Fred was inclined to follow his companion, but thought of the pledge he made to his dear mother. Kut the day arrived when one of the squatters met Fred and said to him, 'Well, my young friend, I hear you are making a tour for a little colonial experience, and also for the good of your health-' ' Yes," said Fred. ' Oh, we have a lot oi you young gentlemen on our estates on the same ticket, and I suppose we will have to do the same with you. Fine times they have got, too ; plenty of good mutton and damper, and a good steed to mount every day, and nothing to do, o»ly to play cards and drink if they like it.' This statement rather overcame poor Fred, and he made up his mind to join them, and acquainted his companion of his resolve. The plot was complete. The voung doctor appeared quite delighted, and made arrangements to put Fred through his facings by caching him the sames jhey

played—euchre and poker. This was done, and in the course of a week, as the squatter said, Fred was a perfect euchre and poker player, and he wanted Fred as his partner, but this was not allowed by the doctor, who said they would play any other two. This was quickly taken up, but the bets only amounted to one shilling a corner. Fred and the doctor came off victorious on that occasion. On the following morning the ship was rolling pretty heavily Poor Fred came on deck and felt a little

squeamish, missed his footing, and fell from the cabin deck on to the main deck and dislocated his ankle. The doctor was soon in attendance, and everything was made all right again. After about a week, Fred was limping about with a stick, and the cards were again introduced, with very little loss or gain, but the stakes got up to LlO. The vital time had now arrived to ease poor Fred of his three hundred sovereigns and the balance of his pocket money. Poker was introduced, but the doctor declined to play, not knowing the game, but he and Fred soon made themselves acquainted with the game. After a few evening's play, they allowed Fred to win up to the amount of L4OO, paid with cheques, the doctor guaranteeing the payment in cash, This appeared good enough for Fred, The L4OO was drawn back by the squatters, and play continued until they lost LIOO again. The doctor, seeing that Fred Avas in luck, induced him to go in for a big pool, and he would go him halves. This was agreed to. The doctor suggested that they should go with cash in hand, he giving Fred L3OO in notes and suggested that Fred should supplement to the same amount, and Fred was to do the betting. The play lasted about three hours, and Fred was to the fore with about L2OO to the good. The cards were dealt for the final pool, Fred with kings and the squatters with aces. The play on both sides appeared to be carried out with great caution, with LIOOO on the table. The doctor passed LIOO to Fred to test the squatter's hand, and the plot was ended. The pool was drawn by the squatter. Poor Fred handed the balance of [his pocket money to the doctor which left him penniless. The following day he took the matter to heart so much that he jumped overboard, but was picked up again. The letters of recommendation were taken by the doctor while the, fuss was on, so that poor Fred was left a total wreck, Further than that, the captain was led to believe that Fred was in the habit of taking these suicidal fits periodically, and thought that he ought to be placed in safe keeping, which was done by putting him under lock and key. While in this position he attempted to strangle himself, and this caused a further investigation which resulted in poor Fred being placed in irons till the ship arrived in port. By this time poor Fred plucked up a little, and thought he .might meet with a friend in ' Dunedin, depending on his letters I of recommendation to assist him.

(To be Continued)