nion, brightening up. "What game do you
play?"

"Anything."

"Poker?"

"All right."

The two took seats opposite, between which was a small table, and the
game began. Bert looked over now and then, and saw that they were
playing for money. He was startled, for he had been taught to regard
gambling with horror. It seemed evident after awhile that his late
seat-mate was losing. He became more and more excited and nervous, and
his face was overspread with gloom. At length he came over to Bert, and
said, eagerly: "My young friend, will you do me a favor?"

"What is it, sir?"

"Lend me five dollars."

This seemed to Bert an extraordinary request from a perfect stranger.

"You must excuse me, sir," he answered.

"Haven't you got as much about you? Say two dollars, then."

"The money I have with me is not my own," said Bert. "I cannot lend
anything."

"But, let me assure you, I will give it back to you before the train
reaches Harrisburg. I have had a streak of bad luck, and that man over
there has won all my money. But I've got on to his game, and I will soon
have it all back, if I get a start. You'll be doing me a great favor,
and there will be no risk."

"He must take me for a fool," thought Bert.

"You had better apply to some one else," he said coldly. "I can't
possibly help you."

"So young and so hard-hearted!" murmured the other, eying Bert
reproachfully. "'Twas ever thus from childhood's hour. I was born under
an unlucky star. Sir, I am afraid I must withdraw from our pleasant game
unless you will kindly lend me a dollar to continue."

His late antagonist shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't see how that would benefit me," he said. "We'll wait till
another time when you are in funds. Then I shall be happy to accommodate
you."

"Did you lose much?" asked Bert, as his companion resumed a seat at his
side.

"Fifteen dollars! 'Tis not much, but 'twas my all. If you would oblige
me with a dollar, I can win it all back."

Bert shook his head.

"I have no money of my own," he said.

"Never mind! Twenty times I have been on the threshold of fortune, and
failed to secure it by my funds giving out. Be it so! I will no longer
resist, but float downward to oblivion over the rapids of
disappointment."

"You are an actor, are you not?" said Bert.

"Yes; at least, so I sometimes flatter myself, though the critics do not
all concede it. If you are going to remain in Harrisburg long enough,
come and see