American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-07-06

sciously to himself, remodeed his whole be-
ing.
He had proceeded with rapid and uneasy
step considerable distance over the pavement,
when he was startled from his reflections by
hand laid somewhat rudely upon his shoulder.
II know you by your gait, Eugene" ex-
claimed deep sonorous voice, "though the late
hour almost belied my senses. Have you any
thing in hand, anything IN view for the night
-eh?"
"How! Harry? All! you frightened me sad
ly. 1t isn't so pleasant to be grasped at mid
night, by the hand of one knows not whom"
"No! but have something to tell you" and
he glanced around him hurrledlY; then draw
ing close to his companion, whispered in his
ear"
For an instant Eugene hestated and the light
that flashed from aneighborng window showed
countenance of CHASTITY paleness. An hour
before he would have utterly refused the temp
tation; but now; he pondered; and while course
of rapid and underlined thought was going on
within his heart, his friend drew him aside,and
they entered one of those dark dens of iniquty,
which are the bane ofpopulous cties,and where
wealth and beggary are made the play things
Of an hour, and almost life and DEATH the sport
OF the gaming table.
Is Fortune sometimes strangely favorS the gull
ty as well as the brave, while the honest and
upright are apparently going down hill. 1t
was almost Eugenes first decided compromise
with conscience, and it succeeded. For many
days every successive night found him at the
gaming table, and when at the close of a fort
night, he, found himself master of consider
able sum of money, by an effort certainly I'M
common, he stopped in this career of sinful I'M
certainty, and with his small capital immedi-
ately commenced business for himself as a
merchant.
Success followed success-his business and
capital increased. Months and years went by,
and wealth flowed into his Golfers, and he drew
the girl whom he had so won-won at the gam
ing idbte-to his own hearth stone, and she DEEM
ed herself happy for they were rich and who
can deny that they were hOnOred! He had gam
ed that power over others for which he thirsted
and men looked up to him, and bowed lolU
as they passed him on their way, and flesh and
blood crnged at his feet tor even single touch
of his finger!
One cold, windy night in December of lS-
Just as the clock tolled one, the shrll and start
ling cry of "fire!" was heard echoing through
the deserted streets of New York. Eugene
slept soudly, with his wife and child by his side.
As the cry struck his ear, he started, turned,
more closely around him, and slept. Still the
cry arose, louder on the air, of "fire! fire!" at
momentary intervals, and men and boys were
hurrying through the streets, with rapid and
eager steps, towards the principal house of the
sleeper. Still he awoke not from his almost
unearthly sleep, till the crash Of the door, brok-
en- in from without, startled him 10 his senses,
and he leaped from the bed Just as the flames
were rolling and flashing though the room, and
upon the instant lie he'd curtains caught, and
his wife and chill were eveloped in flames!
1t was but the work of On instant to rescue
them, and hurry down the already burning
stains. But the work of destruction was DONE
Many a block, and two or three whole squares,
were consumed before the fire could be subdu-
ed; and with the dwelling house of Eugene, his
large mercantile establishment was burned to
ashes. That very day the insurance company
failed.
Nor was this all. The morrow brought It'd
ings of the wreck of ship which he had
invested large part of his fortune, and Euge-
ne Reyburn was ruined!
Could we trace the destinies Of mankind, and
penetrate into the secret of their lives, we should
see oftener than we now suppose, that the world
| of retIibution is accomplished here 10 consider
able extent at least. The goods of this world
unlawfully gained ARE not unfrequently wrench
ed violently from the grasp, or, if retained, be-
come in some way the curse OF life.
The wife lay Oh her death bed. The flames
which had entered her vitals, were rapidly fin
isling the work of destruction, and who can
say that she had not wrought her own doom?
eugene" said she, in low voice, laying
her thin hand in his, sit is all over now.
have been thinking of the past-the night in
| hroo thaA inf TINT thrct for
po,cer, that deadly ambition which tortured my
soul-and have traced it all along from that
hour to this, and" cher eyes were lifted to his
with an almost prophetic expression, while a
slight SILVER crept over her frame) 81 believe
that this moment is the seal of that. Not that
one may desire power, and honor; but never,
Eugene, never"-clasping her shadowy hands
together "should they be built upon the sins
of Others or upon scared conscience. Could
| live now Eugene, and the large tears started
into her eyes, "could be with you in poverty,
believe that God would grant me power to
make you happy; yes, happier than we could
have been in wealth. But | am dying.
leave one dear child with you; teach her to be-
ware"
But tears choked her utterance, and at this
last charge, the husband groaned aloud She
knew not that her parting breath would leave
him forever alone in the world; that child al
ready lay cold in death, victim to the terrible
flames that sealed the death-doom of the moth,
err.
The last faint beams of the setting sun fell
upon the death-sealed face of the young wife
and Eugene turned from the room broken
hearted man, but better and worther than be,
fore-for the RErRIBUTIoN was accomplished.
A CITIZEN SoLDIERY. 1t is stated that ex
President Lamar and Gen. Memucan Hunt
are serving in the army under Gen Taylor as
privates, and that they decline promotion, pre-
ferring TO do duty in the ranks. In addition
to this, we observe that the Southern anc