The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-05-02


baton that her lover would pass. 4
/ Adjoining my state room was one
occupied by lady from Virginia. It
was nearly mo rning ere she was joined
| by her husband. He was inflamed by
wine, and indulged what he would 9TH
erwise kept secret--his losses at the
gambling table. and to whom. His wife
impaired the information to me in the
morning, accompanied by many invIc-
tives, not against gambling, but against
him who had won. desired her to
point out to me, as she termed him, the
fortunate individual, for | had my sus-
picions. She did so-her husband, up
on my appealing to him, confirmed the
information. And whom think you
the stigma was attached to- Why, to
none other but the componion of my
young friend, who had made himself
scarce upon the plea of illness. 1t
seems that he had vet to learn
"That nothing can need 10 lie;
Afaultthat needs it most, becomes two thereby"
| felt it my duty to apprise the young
friend of the information had so acci.
dentaIy obtained. Had a thunderbolt
fallen at her feet, she would not have
been more astonlshed. Her ipqulver-
ed, and her eyes filed with tears. 1t
was but a momentary weakness, how
ever, for rallying herself, she immedi-
ately sought an interview with the Vir-
ginian. Seems that being "convinced
against her will" she would have oc-
cular proof that she might not be "of
the same opinion STILL The Virgin
ian was in a vengeful mood, and he led
her to the door of the room. 1t was
opened in obedience to the peculiar rap
known by the initiated. The table was
surrounded by four, the individual un-
locking the door not having risen from
his seat. Piles Of gold we're upon it,
and the betrothed was just in the act
of adding to his winnings an additional
amount won.
For an instant the fair girl gazed. for
an instant she pondered, then drew
near the table, slowly and sorrowfully
she withdrew the ring that encircIed
his inger--the promise ring and de-
posting it with the glittering gold be-
side her lover, burst into tears, and left
the apartment, mourning, however, ere
she left, that she could have no further
fellowship with one whose pleasures
were adding to his sins! Ten minutes
afterwards, the weeping malden's foot
pressed the landing spot, where her un-
Gle dwelt. ':Blast the old Praise God
Barebones," said the lover, as he saw
the captain handing her ashore; ''had
itnot been for him, should have clutch
ed her gold long ago." A shout from
his companions followed an / they with
drew to their sanctum, heaping curses
long and loud upon the Virginian, who
had betrayed them.
! Some weeks previous to the incidents
here related had crossed Lake Onta-
rio. Among the passengers traversing
the green waters was colored woman.
She took neither breakfast, dinner nor
supper. presumed she had as great
a fondness for food as myself, and that
she denied herself only through neces-
sty, so !, with the permission of the
captain rendered her plate of food
She received it eagerly and thanked me
cordially. When the chambermaid cal
led for the fares, she was prompt in ten
dering hers, but she was deficient eigh-
teen cents. To make up the difcit,
she pawned an article worth five times
the sum. which she said she would re-
deem when she returned. There was
a young man standing waiting to pay
the passage ofa lady, who was lulIing
her babe to slumber. He put his hand
into his pocket, and drawing forth the
eighieen centS, rendered it to the stew
ardess, and quietly restored the pawn.
! A lad who rendered the table was
round disposing of. pears. This gen
tleman purchased two and handed them
to the dcsolate one, with the remark,
"they look NICE ! wondered that he
did not treat himself, till glanced at
his thread bare coat, when the cause
was apparent. When we landed at
Lew lstown, the coored woman took
her trunk and started off on foot. The
gentleman ran after her and Inquired
how far she had to 60. The answer
was, "lour miles," And was she to
lug her trunk The whole rout? She re-
piled in the affirmative. He at once
beconed a wagner to him and bar
gained for her ride, paying the amount.
| heard him remark to companion as
we approached Niagara that he should
not be able to remain there as long as
he anticipated. "Why, not?' was the
inquiry. "Want of funds" was the
strait forward reply. "Why the duce,
then, did you bestow SO much upon