The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-02-19
TIVE STOLEN MINIATURE.
by MRS. s. II. NICHOLS.
The very head and front of my offending
Hath this extent, no more."-OTHELLo.

Hath this extent, no more."-0THELLo.
1t was near midnight, on one of The beautiful
summer evenings that brood over our Western
Land, as some fair spirit hoyers near TO Para.
dise--and which can be realized only by those
who have witnessed them--that one of the nu-
merous steamers that throng the waters of ola
Belle Rivierre," paused on its upward course
before a small town which lay upon the banks of
the aforesaid stream, When the boat had efec-
ted alanding, a few passengers, who either blind
to the charms of Morpheus, or more allied to
those of sundIy packets of cards, that strewed
The tables OF the 'social hail. stepped on shore
to enjoy a moonlight view oflhe village. Among
tho number, was a group of three individuals,
1who, Withdrawing from the rest, strolled care
lessly along one Of the principal streets, until
they arrived al a cross, turning Town whose short
but secluded walk, several large buildings, evil
IDENTIFY the residences of the most wealthy por-
ton Of the inhabitants, were situated. AS thew
passed into this beautiful and peaceful retreat.
a slight whispering, which presently broke forth
into loud and angry words, disturbed The slun-
bering echoes of the night.
"ltell you, Layton, it is impossible! will
not--cannot do i'll"
"Spoken like a fool, and a milksop, as you
80 NhSP - huJ " otOI IUuC WLliItlIH SCIll-
pies, and curse me if I'll not show it you.:'
Quick as thought, The first speaker turned, and
confronting Ii s companion, exclaimed in a voice
trembling with passion,-Ay, there is a way TO
rouse the sleeping devil, even in my COWARD
frame; but your threats fall regardless on my ear,
while have this good blade TO protect me,n-
and a long glittering bowie knife flashed beneath
the soft rays of the harvest moon.
. GIpr boronI 7 H. 80. 1 - n
Put UP your knife, Bradley, and you, Layton,
keep your Internal tongue within your teeth,
unless you want this goodly tow about our
ears" This soothing speech was spoken by the
third, and Iii he TO silent companion; and while
the alteration is progressing in lower tones,
you, my gentle reader, shall have a Daguerrco-
type sketch of at least one of the party.
Bradley Spencer was The son Of one of the
most wealthy and aristocraiic planters in Louis
lam, but maternal affection he never knew, or
ut least was not conscious of it, his mothor hav-
ing been snatched away in his childhood, by one
of those cpdemics peculiar TO that portion of
the South. HIS father, a high-principlcd, noble
minded man, richly endowed with the warm and
chivaIrons feelings Of the Souiherner, having
thus lost that which he considered as tho better
p1rt of life, gave his undivided heart TO this ''sole
scion of his stock,' and for his boys sake, no
second lady darkened his halls, or cast a shadow
over the golden sunlight of the heirs youthful
existence. Thus fondly nurtured and cherish
ed, every wish INDUCED TO the utmost, the young
Bradley grew apace; but, with all his "paternal
prejudice, the elder Spencer could not but note
the waving acts and vascillating mind of his dar-
ling boy, ~hetoken, even in youth, the indecision
Of tho I'm. With prophetic sorrow, he saw the
consequences entail ed ON one, who, ever willing
10 follow, had no projects to offer, or will of his
Own.t 10 oppose those of others. To eradicate
this "crying evil" the boy was sent, at the age
Of fifteen, 10 college. There, at least. argued
the parcnt, he willlearn independence of thought
and expression. But how widely was he mista-
ken. An universal %favorite among his class.
mites, winning "golden opinions from all, by
his plant disposition, and suavity Of manners,
and being allowed an unlimited sum for his pas
sing expenditures, he bore the palm; and reign
cd any thing but a despot, over his more firmly
minded companions. 1t is not our intention TO
follow him through the mazes of collegiate life,
and we pass in silence over four succeeding
years, when at The age of nineteen he was re-
called, to receive the last blessings and injunc-
tons Of a dying father. Still true TO his erro-
neous system of indulgence, Mr.. Spencer left
his property to the undivided control Of his son,
fondly imagining, that unlimited sway would
overcome the imbecile principles of youth, and
teach him that frmness Of mind, and stability Of
purpose, SO essential to manhood.
Youth is the season of luxury and enjoyment.
Joy is eyanescent; grief in the young bosom,
IS but the sudden o'ercasting of a summer sky;
the cloud passes away, and the bow Of promise
Is bent in the now smiling heaven. Thus was il
with Bfadley's grief; a few short weeks in New
Orleans did wonders; they initiated him in the
mysteries and delights Of the gaming table
they did more: they introduced him to the lowest
haunts OF vice and infamy, cloaked, indeed, for
the decoy Of this rich windfall, but so thin and
fimsy was the protecting vol Of decency and
morality, that any other than Bradley Spencer's
eyes would have pierced the willy folds, and laid
bare the monsters lurking behind them. Thus
early possessed Of the fatal passion of gaming.
night after night saw the infatuated youth wound
deeper and deeper in the tolls of his betrayers
Mortgage after mortgage was given,--though
not having q shadow of legality about them,
they were accepted as eagerly by these leeches,
as the red gold for which they had sold their souls
to p~erdition.
The men with whom twas Spencer's fate TO
become connected, were most of them from
thirty 70 forty years of age; willy, unprinciplec
villains, well calculated to govern The simple
youth, whom they remorsoly plundered Of all a