American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-01
From the New York Sun.
Aaron Ridgely,
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
BY c. WARREN.
(Concluded.)


(Concuded)
Soon after the death of Aaron Ridgey's wife,
the news arrived that inexhaustible mines of
gold had been discovered in our newly acquired
Pacific possessions The intelligence made our
hero's heart leap for joy. This was the place
for him. He would join the crowd of adventurers
to the Western Ophir, and after few months
or years of voluntary exile, he would return with
untold riches He had no time to lose-others
would be gathering the golden harvest which he
so much coveted.
lie bade his lovely daughter an affectionate
adieu, and joined the first company Of gold hun
ters that left the western waters. The favor OF
Heaven seemed to follow him in his new voca-
tion. lie was successful beyond his most SAN
guine hopes. When on every side less fortunate
minors would throw away their picks in despair,
he struck the richest veins, and his cheap"
steadily and rapidly increased.
While others were prostrated with disease, he
toied on with renewed energy. Even the Sab
bath brought him no rest, for he thought col
lecting the glittering dust more profitable than
prayer and praise, and he postponed religious
duties to "a more convenient season"
Two years rolled on, and Ridgely was the pos
SCISSOR of almost fabulous wealth. He had not
relied only upon his own industry He had Wis
tied the gambling hels Of the Pacific capital,
and here also fortune had favored him wonder
fully; but he cared not. lie pocketed his win
nings, which amounted to an incredible sum,
and now, his object gained, he turned his steps
ACCOMPLISHMENTS to the abode Of innocence
and virtue-bearing in his bosom heart that
had forever lost its peace, and q conscience that
could not rest. He had not heard from that home
since the first few months after his departure,
but he did not doubt that all was well. His
guilty soul was glad when he thought Of the
position which his beloved daughter might now
occupy, and the unbounded luxury in which she
might revel. For her he had risked his life,
exhausted every energy, and recklessly stepped
his soul in sim For her he had sacrificed honor,
virtue, and happiness, and forgotten the duties
which he owed to his Maker and his fellow
creatures. But would not her love and graft
tude, and the contemplation other felicity, amply
requite him? He thought so, and his heart
bounded within him as the magnificent steamer
which bore him stoutly stemmed the current of
the father of waters, and at length brought him
within sight of his home.
As he drew nearer, the deep sound Of n slow
tolling bell struck q chill to his bosom-and in
few moments he could see q solemn procession
winding about the side of distant hill.
Ridgey remembered that the last time that
he had obeyed the summons of q cburch-bell
was upon the mournful occasion of his own
wife's burial. His conscience smote him as he
thought how powerless that warning had been
to him, and he reflected in what way he had
been preparing himself to meet the angel of
death. These gloomy considerations were soon
banished by glowing anticipations of the felicity
that surely awaited him.
With what unbounded joy he would clasp his
daughter to bis heart, and note with fathers
pride how beautiful she had grown in his
absence And how would she dance with de-