Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-09-20

Townley, for such l learned was his
name and he wrung his hands and threw
himself upon seat. His child seemed
much distressed, and was turning away
lest my presence should invade secrecy
that she seemed solicitous 10 preserve,
when he said, extending his hand, "Sit
down. l am told you are from the South
from Natchez."
"Yes," l replied.
II am glad to meet you. I am going
there, TO-"
"Dear father hush!' - cried the maiden
with o look Of distress.
Il viH inquire Of him, Charlotte. Per-
haps-"
"You can hear nothing, alas, but what
you already too well know. Pray, father,
do not speak Of Henry May, then lei
me inquire. Sir" she said, clasping his
hand, and looking up in my face with tear
full eyes, tive have relative-a dear re-
lative, sir, in Na,chez, who, we have
heard has wandered from the paths of
honor"
ut is my son, sir" said Mr. Townley,
firmly. His daughter hung her head, and
l could see the blush Of shame mounting
her forehead. He is my only son. He
was clerk in New Orleans, and in an
evil hour was tempted to gamble and lost
all Of his own money, and then embezzled
that Of his employer. To escape punish
then, he fled and joined the gamblers at
Vick>burg. We have since learned that
lie has now become a principal leader
among them, and that he remains mostly
in Natchez. am on my way TO try and
reclaim him. II IS painful for father to
speak thus Of son! Did you ever see
him, sir p
"Townley," l repeatedly never
heard Of the name in the South except as
ISOLATED with men Of honor"
ave have discerned that he goes by the
assumed name Of Frank Carter" said Mr.
Townley.
l could not confess my ignorance for
recognized the name Of the most notorious
gambler or "sportsinan," in the South,
who from his influence with the different
bands tina, infested The West, from Louis.
vile to New Orleans, was called prince
Frank" | gazed upon the father with
pity, and upon the sister with feelings of
the most painful sympathy. felt that
their hope Of reclaiming him was destined
to perish. They remarked my silence,
and the daughter, now that there was no
more to be told to call the tinge of shame
into her cheek, lifted her head and look ed
into my face with anxious interest. Mr.
Townley also waited earnestly TO hear at
least reply from one who might have
seen his son, and who could tell him some
thing about him less evil than he had
heard. l recollected him as fine look
ing, richly dressed young man, who used
TO make dashing appearance at the ST
Catharine's race course, in barouche
drawn by pair Of spirited bays, with a
beautiful girl, his mistress, seated by his
side. He had become rich by his reck-
less profession, and it was said owned
several dwellings in "Natchez under the
Hill," the empire over which, as prince
Frank" he ruled. But recently. since l
had left the South in May, there had been
war of determination against the gam
blers, beginning at Vicksburg and sweep
ing the whole South West. What had
become of Prince Frank in this well re-
membered and bloody crusade ofthe reused
citizens of Mississippi 10 redeem their
towns and cities from the hordes of black
legs who infested them, was ignorant.
frankly informed her that her inform
alton had been correct, and while l ex.
pressed my hopes that their pious journey
to effect his reformation and restoration 10
society, might be successful, told her
that feared there was little prospect oft.
From this time saw much of them, for
Mr. Townley loved 10 sit and talk TO me
Of his son. AT length We approached the
mouth Of the Ohio where we were TO sep
arate, myself and party to wait and take
boat up TO St Louis, they to continue
their sad hopeless voyage for the recovery
of lost son and brother.
As the boat was rounding too at the
beautiful point Of land now the site Of the
infant city of Cairo, Mr. Townley came to
me and asked how long and my friends
would remain in St Louis.
On learning it would be but for two
days, and thai we should then proceed di-
rec,ly dow the Mississippi to Natchez,
he asked il it would be agreeble to us Tor
himself and daughter 10 attach themselves
to our party. This accession was gladly
received by all my friends to whom had
communicated the interesting object OF
their journey, and who were as deeply
touched as myself with their peculiar at
Fiction. Mr. Townley and his daughter,
therefore, quit the boat with us; and the
steamer landing our large party with our
baggage upon the shore resumed her swift
course down the river, Captain Clark re.
ceiving our good wishes for his safe and
speedy arrival a, New Orleans.
II was late in the afternoon when we
landed upon the point, and as we learned
boat was looked for momentarily from
below, bound TO St. Louis, we concluded
not to remove our large quantity of bag
gage 10 the tavern, but remain with it, at
least till night by the river side. Cairo
city, as this place is now denominated,
was then comprised in two story tavern,
called Birds Hotel" with double gal
lery running around tin sort Of gro
cery store, one or two log huts and vast