The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-02-04

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Our College degrees and honors were soon afte
conferred and our class was scattered like young
birds from the parent nest-some for the fowler
am and some to build homes of their own. saw
no more of my quondam friend for several years
only heard that he had married beauiiiu
girl, Of whom had often heard him speak IN rap
turesA-that his father dead and he the sole IN
hertor of a fortune. Report said also that ms hab
its had not mended. and that a certain Wood wa
his constant attendant. Perhaps, thought, per-
haps he may yet be sayed-I was alone in the worlt
i longed for my friend again, and the next montl
found me in his company, bearing an assumed
name, and with a disguise that precluded all fear
recognition. | found him living in almost princely
style, fond, even doting IN his family, and adoret
by his wife, and more than all, there was a beaut
ful, an only boy idoized by both. Oh! what {
Paradise here for man and yet the curse o
curses was on him he loved the gambling table
more than all his home could afford. His business
had no charm-his books no relish, and that manly
noble bearing, of which have spoken elsewhere
was fast yielding to a petulant, feverlsh trenziec
look. that seemed TO say The die is cast, on-on
for Heavens sake, on--feed me with play, or
shall die y
! / found with him and around him friends amos
numberess equally anxious with myself and some
whose kindred blood rendered them much more Sc
if more could be. BY them all argument, all adj
out effect, before my arrival. There remained M
alternative for me, resolved as was to do some
thing, but to obtain imitation into the mysteries o
the gambling clubs. A few evenings after Mr.
wilkins was introduced in form, and took his sea-
among the association. To avoid suspicion, i af-
fected great fondness for hazard and strong de-
sire for immediate instruction in the elements o
their all absorbing science. took special pains to
display all the money | could muster for the occa-
sion and thereby gave them strong hopes OF rich
harvest as soon as / was ready for the onslaught
The company was composed of many varieties Of
character-some richly drunk and some drunky
rch-some stupid and some artful, cunning and
cautious, whose every motion showed that they were
the prime spirits of this Pandemonium and the 9TH
ers the dupes and victims of their vlalny.
The most hellish of all their arts seemed directed
against the only noble the only redeemng spirit a
mong them True, Edward had fallen, deeply fall
en-, from what he had been still he was noble-no
mean action had ever furnished his lofty soul, or
dimmed the brightness of his countenance. He did
not drink, or brawl or quarrel but he played with
the skill and close calculation of an experienced
hand and with an ardor resembling desperation.
But what were these against trick and dark design
Wood, as | before stated, sat almost constantly as
his associate in the game, yet played with all his
art into the opposite hands Every loss seemed only
to urge their victim to deeper and still deeper haz-
ard. Sometimes he was the winner, but the balance
was continually and learfuly against him. | soon
saw that the wealth of Crocsus could not long
tain such annihilating subtractions. His ruin
seemed to me already sealed, and only waited pub
licity to beggar himself and his family. No hu-
man arm could save him, no earthly counsel could
reach him. He surrounded hedged in, aye bu-
RED in an Inqusition of Demons, whence nothing
but a miracle could deliver him. His wife COM
planned not uttered not murmur in his hearing
Alone she sighed, alone she shed those tears, those
...Il.m ,o"-s of asary, --l;.L e.,i,.
shed and live. / had advised, had written anony-
nous letters full of argument and persuasion, with
vivid portraits of his companions and their dark
purposes, but they all but mere zephyrs against
hurricane. Desparing of success, had gone for the
last time to the gambling room, to watch him once
more, and then bid adieu forever. Worth was there
early, was uncommonly restless, and seemed intent
upon deeper hazard ffties and hundreds seemed
too small. a thousand-a thousand he would
have nothing less.
1t was near midnght-the room where we met
was very retired-the month of July, and the door
stood partly open for ventilation. Just as the thou
sand-stake' was made, a slight rusting was heard
in the avenue, and moment after, little dog rau
in and jumped in Edwards lap-it his boys
only pet, and playmate. How came it there, and
at this time of night Edward started if scor-
pion had stung him, and seizing the little pug, rush
ed along the dark hall, down the precipltous stair
way and at the street door, before any one had
from his surprise sufficient to follow.
What a scene was there for n man and hus-
band a husband too, who fallen he was, had
never suffered the winds of Heaven to breath too
rudely his beloved wife yet there 'she lay life
less, on the tagging. Good God y he exclaimed,
what does this mean , mean 2 replied the Land
lord, why she has been here every night for a
month-and-' but Edward heard no more. He
raised his wife in his avms-'la lay her on this bed
said the obsequious host, throwing open side door.
would lay her in her grave first was the quick
reply, and declining all assistance, the wretched
husband bore her in his arms to her own home and
bed.
1t was long she revived sufficient TO speak.
Edward in the meantime, sat by her, like one just
awakened from horrid dream to the contemplation