Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-11-20

in his hours of solitude, was too often iound,
gay as The gByest, IN the Widest soehes oi
3issipation.eA rash hand had thrown him
back into the perous whirlpool OF vice when
he would have recovered himself from It's
power; and now every day was conveying
him nearer TO the gasping vortex
Ruthven having completed his studies at
the seminary, took his departure for neigh
boring city, where he entered himself as
student in one of the popular professions.-
Here he becnme more deeply involved IN the
giddy round Of pleasures and his wild career
began to make rapid inroads upon hls intel
lectual powers, and TO destroy that love Tor
literature, which he had hitherto contrived to
foster and preserve. Consequently. he made
but little progress in his new pursuit. Dur
ing his residence in this city, he frequently
furnished articles for the press; and IN one
of which young gentleman considered NM
self as insulted. One day note was put IN
TO Ruthven's hand, by friend OF the suppos-
cd injured person, Of the following purport;
"SIR-A certain article appeared in one
of the morning papers, in which am grossly
insulted and abused. The bearer Of this,
friend of mine, has been directed to call apon
YOU as the author of that article, and to de-
mand of you satisfaction according to the
principles Of honor The friend above men
toned, will make all needfn arrangements
with you concerning time, place, and weap-
ons. Yours, &c. - -.
c. RUTHvEN, Esq.
A day or two, after the reception OF this
note, a coach was at the door Of Ruthvens
lodgings. The coachman was directed to
drive to retired field several miles from the
CITY, which was selected as the spot for the
murderons meeting. 1t was solitary ride to
Ruthven. Night yet held her sway over the
thousands of sleepers in the city he was leav-
ing and as the carriage ratified over the
pavement, he could not but reflect, that per-
haps for the last time, he had looked out up
on the habitations he was leaving. II, per-
chance, he should escape death, he might
henceforth be doomed to plod OH through the
world, with the stain of human blood upon his
hands, and the voice Of a murdered fellow
being, sounding in his ears. More than once
he hestatcd, and looking at the pistols that
lny by his side, wished himself in the quiet OF
his own lodgings. He took retrospect of
his past life, and recalling all its acts, he du-
ted his misfortunes back to that night OF Re-
bellion, which blasted his honors in the bud.
Yet, when he would have turned aside from
the hellish purpose that now drew him from
his slumbers, the thought Of his banlshment
from friends and home, nerved him to despe-
ration. The combatants met upon the field
lust as the sun shed its first beams upon the
hill tops The ground was marked out; the
positions taken; and ut the signal to tirc, both
pistols were discharged. Ruthven escaped
nnhurt, but his ball lodged in the thigh of his
adversary. lie fell to the ground, the blood
flowing profusely from the wound. The par
ties left the field ; and Ruthven sought re-
fuge in distant city.
Conscious guilt ever seeks conceament,
however strong the assurance that it Is un-
known to the world. So with Ruthven. Ar
irving at the place which he sought as an asy-
lum, he took lodgings under an assumed
name, aid commenced the practice of his pro-
fession. He secured sufficient business to-
enable him to maintain respectable stand
ing in society. But he continued an ardent
worshipper at the shrine Of unhallowcd plea
sures. The cup was his constant compan-
ion; and though he was not often fully ine-
briated, yet it was evident that the bowl was
making rapid dilapidations upon his physical
and intellectual energies, as well us opening
wide the door of moral pollution.
After a short residence in this place, he
became enamoured. An intimacy soon COM
menced between them. A few weeks had
elapsed, when Ruthven added to the cata-
logue of his vices, the character Of Seducer
So easy is the descent ofthe downhll ofvice!
" Smooth les the road To Puio's g ony shade,
And HELPS black gates forever stand splayedj
Rut tits a long nDeonqnrrnhle pain,
10 climb to these eth,Tial realms again"
Having once succeeded in despoiling the .
victim of bis passion of her virtue, he now
constrained her to become his mistress. J 4
would not detan the reader by narration of
the means by which he succeeded in his foul
purpose. There were vows uttered, and
promises made, which were never intended
to be performed (; and deep and bitter re-
grets, became the portion of her who was
sacrificed upon the altar of his lust. Il
One evening, as Ruthven was entering his
room, person handed him letter. On open
ing it, he read its contents, which were as
follows
SIR,-You may imagine that both yourself
and your iniqutous proceedings are alike un-
known to me but this is not so. ! am con-
strained by the insult and injury you have
inflicted upon me, to brand you as most
consummate villain. If it is nothing to rob
an unsuspecting child Of her virtue, and to
bring reproach and sorrow upon grey-headed
parents, then may you escape; but if not, then
sir, expect the Judgment of righteous Heaven.
] have called repeatedly this day, for the pur-
pose of an interview with you, but have not
succeeded. ] am called from the city to-
morrow morning, but will see you on Thurs
day next. AN INJURED FATHER.
A momentary spark of anger was lit up in
the bosom of the profligate but it soon died