Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-07-08


rich wlndiall but SO thin and flimsy was the pre-
ecting veil OF decency and morality that any Othe
than bradley Spencer's eyes would have perce
the willy folds, and laid bare the monsters lurking
behind them.
Thus early possessed with the fatal passion fo
gaming, night after night saw the infatuated you'll
wound deeper and deeper in the tolls of his betray
ers. Mortgage alter mortgage was given an'
though not having shadow of legality about them
they were accepted as eagerly by these human
leeches, as the red gold for which they sold thei
souls to perdition.
The men with whom it was Spencer's fate to
become connected, were most of them from thirty
to forty years of age-wily, unprincipled villains
well calculated to govern the simple youth, whom
they remoselessly plundered of all his present
mand, and accepted his honor as pledge for the
rest, when he should become of age. Nor were
the months tardy in their flight. AT the end of two
short years his property was formally yielded him
by his passive guardian, and the day that gave him
house and land, stock and slaves, saw him resign
1t to the fiends who had possessed him with love
for all that was degrading to human nature, and
taught him to scott at all who were truly pure and
vrtuous.
1t is the same Bradley Spencer, kind reader,
whose brief career we have endeavored to trace
that we left in the little village, with his knavsh
companions, who, fresh from the hiding places of
loathsome vice, were intent on drawing the young
man into yet greater depths OF wickedness. But
they had struck upon the wrong chord. Spencer
had been culpabe, most culpable, it is true, but he
was to himself his worst foe; he had not willingly
Injured others, but had been the dupe in every in
stance. Thus, when his brutal comrade expressed
his determination to rob one of the hab,aions be-
fore them, and urged his assistance his noble spirit,
which had slept SO long, was aroused, and he gave
vent to his feelings in the manner we have desert
bed.
Brief was their consultation, and the arguments
they held with him babe to be of no avail, until
tho eldest and more polite villain declared, that
Bradley could not now withdraw in honor as they
should suspect he meant To betray them that they
would not require his assistance, if he had any fool
isl, prejudice to the contrary, but he should accom-
pany them, as mere lOokeron. Without pausing
for an answer, he passed his arm in that of the
young mans, and, followed by Layton, they step
ped into small yard the gable end of one of the
mansions There, window had been left open
by the Ansuspecting inmates, for the admission of
the air. Springing lightly in, he was followed by
the others. Cropping their way by the light of a
dark lantern, which Layton pulled from the bosom
OF his coat,-thus showing himself ar fat in such
proceedings,-they assembled staircase, and paus-
ing In long passage, babe Bradley be watchful and
give low whistle the slightest alarm The
two less scrupuous ruflanS then pursued their way
down the passage.
What Spenccrs reflections would have been, he
had not leisure to ascertain, for fancying he heard
low breathing, like one in deep sumber he turn
ed and discovered, by the light Of the moon which
was streaming through window near, door, the
which, ON applying his hand, yielded to the i'm
pulse. lmpeled by curiosity, or some more def
nable feeling, he stepped softly into the room A
night lamp was burning dimly upon table, near
small couch, where, in her bright and youthful
lovelness, slept fair girl. Scarce had the breath
OF fifteen summers passed over the clear BROW that
lay upturned in lis marble whiteness, for
"Death's sister-Sleep,'
weighed down the veined lids, the long dark lash
es Of which rested on the family linged cheek be-
meath. As Spencer turned from the unexpected
vision, his glance fell upon small book that lay
open upon the table. Some light pencil mark, that
pointed to an admired passage, drew his attention.
AS he stopped TO read, his brow crnsoned, and his
frame trembIed with emotion. Ii was volume of
the Inflated Shelley's Poems, open at '.Adonis, -
and as he read
"Rcmorse and sclf-contempt shall cling to thee
Hot shame shall burn upon thy secret brow
full sense of his degradation, and how he had
''iaen from his high estate" rushed upon his
stricken heart, and feelings that had slumbered
long Were now fully awakened, by the thrilling
lines OF the mystical poet and the strange scene
before him.
| AS he turned quickly to leave, where his pre-
sence was sacrlege, his attention was caught by
small miniature, one glance at which showed
him the waking likeness OF the sleeping beauty be-
fore him. Invountarily seizihg it, he fled from the
room, and giving the signal agreed upon, the next
moment saw them vending their way to the boat
which having discharged the freight that detained
her, was soon flying upon her onward course
| Three years had passed away since Bradley
Spencer, leagued with common thieves, acconpa-
MED them on their neiarious night expedition, in
the village already mentioned. Bradley Spencer.
then the companion Of gamblers and low debau-
chees, nor Henry Murray, the trusted head clerk
| OF one of the most wealthy mercantile houses in
New York. From the ever memorable night of
the robbery, the wretched syoung man fDrsook his
| unworthy associates. 'Renlorse and self conteunt,
did indeed cling to him, and despair and shame at
first conquered his remaining energy But the
spirit was present with him, and it only needed To
be raised into action. He had parted with his las,
dollar when he arrived in New York. and the
change OF name was decided upon to soothe the
pride that came to his aid after SO long time
Deprvatlons only rendered him stronger in his yir-
tuous purposes, thus proving at once the false sys
TEN OF indulgence adopted by his father.
Clement Archer, ESD, was stern, unbending
business man. Strictly moral in his walks before
men, he required all around him to show the same
regard for the welfare Of society. With heart
filled with benevolence. though yelled by an air Of
sternneSs, ne received Bradley into his counting
house as Henry Murray, knowing it to be fc-
ttious name, for Spencer scOrned to impose on his
benelactor in this respect and though Bradey's
past history was sealed book, which his employer
never attempted to Pry into, he could not help fan
cying that some misdemeanoI had driven the young
man from his home and friends. He contented
himself, however, by placing strict watch upon
his conduct, but after months had passed away in
deed, years, and saw Henry the same attentive
hardlaboring clerk he was at first his patron took
pleasure. in showing him favor and in placing the
most unlimited confidence in him. Thus had the