Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-08-30

and wait on the landing till summoned hy
me TO enter and seize the gamesters. The
back entrance TO the house was also secure
" but unobtFusiVely watched.
One only fear disturbed me it was lest
the scoundrels should take alarm in sufli-
cient time 10 extinguish the lights, destroy
the forged papers, and possibly escape by
some private passage which might, un-
known TO me, exist
Rousing myself, as soon as the play was
resumed, from the trance of memory by
which had been in some sort absorbed.
and first ascertaining that the handles Of
my pistols were within easy reach--ior |
knew | was playing desperate game with
desperate men-I rose, stepped carelessly
to the door, partially opened it, and bent
forward, as if listening for repetition of
the sound which had so alarmed the COM
pany. To my great delight the landing up
stairs was filled with police officers--silent
and stern as death. drew back, and
walked towards the table at which Mr..
Merton was seated, The last stake--an
enormous one--was being played for
Merton lost. He sprang upon his feet,
death-pale, despairing, overwhelmed, and
hoarse execration surged through his
clenched teeth. Sandford and his associ-
ates coolly raked their plunder together,
their features lighted up with fiendish glee.
william Traitor !-iniscreantt' shrek
ed Mr.. Merton, as if snitten with sudden
frenzy, and darling at Sandford's throat
"you, devil that you are, have undone,
destroyed me y
" No doubt of il" calmly replied Sand
ford, shaking off his victims grasp; and
/ think ii has been very artistically and
efIectually done, too. Sniyeling, my fine
fellow, will scarcely help you much.'
Mr.. Merton glared upon the taunting
villain in speechless agony and rage.
Notquite so fast, Carbon, if you please"
exclaimed, at the same time taking up a
bundle of forged notes. 8. 1t does not ap-
pear 10 me that Mr.. Merton has PLAYED
against equal stakes, for unquestionably this
paper is not genuine
Dog !" roared Sandford, I" do YOU hold
your life so cheap p and he rushed to-
words me, as if TO seize the forged notes.
/ was as quick as he, and the levelled
tube of pistol sharply arrested his eager
onslaught. The entire gang gathered near
US, flaming with excitement. Mr. Merton
looked bewilderedly from one to another,
apparently scarcely conscious of what was
passing around him.
Wrench the papers from him. screamed
Sandlord, recovering his energy. "Seize
him-stab, strangle him -
/" Look to yourself, scoundrel !'' | shout
ed with equal vehemence. 81 Your hour is
come Officers, enter and do your duty ="
In an instant the room was filled with
police and surprised, panic-stricken, par
alyzed by the suddenness Of the catastrophe,
the gang were all secured without the slight
est resistance, though most of them were
armed, and marched off in custody.
Three-Sandford, or Carbon. (but he
had half dozen aliases one of them
were transported for life; the rest were SEN
fenced 10 various terms of Imprisonment.
My task was effeetually accomplished. NV
superlors were pleased 10 express very
warm commentator of the manner in
which | had acquitted myself; and the
first step In the promotion which ultimately
led TO my present position in another branch
OF the public service was soon afterwards
conferred upon me. Mr.. Merton had his
bonds, obligations, jewels, and money re-
stored to him and, taught wisdom by Ter
rlble experience, never again entered a
gaming-house. Neither he nor his lady
mother was ungrateful for the service had
baen fortunate enough to render them.