Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-01-06

papers, which became necessary. Igather-
ed clearly that my poor friend had been
decidedly and undoubtedly insane for some
time previous to the fatal act, and this was
all the consolation, since consolation it un-
questionably was, for the loss Of the bright
est, truest, kindliest that ever cnafed with
in its tenement of clay.
And it was play that had brought the en-
thusiast to his self-seleoted grave. Play:
first the seductive pastine, then the invinci-
BILE habit: lastly, the despotic infatuation
from which there is no escape. Deeper and
deeper had Hillingdon been drawn into the
whirlpool, and this was the result A pur-
suit first adopted to deaden the stings of
conscience and hush the importunate wall
ings of remorse, had at length become the
one object of existence, the whole being of
the man. Lose of course he did, and large
ly. Nor were the chances Of the gaming
table sufficient to allay the craving of ex-
citement which indeed too surely "grows
with what it feeds on" Stock jobbing,
railway shares, mining investments, all and
every thing that promised hazardous VEN
lures and disproportionate returns, he en-
barked in with an eagerness too much in
character with that imaginative disposition
which made him an artist, poet, and a
Speculation. For time Hillingdon's specu-
lations had met with tolerable success !;
enough indeed to encourage him to push
his ventures up to the verge of all his avail
able fortune and his masters spirits, as
the old servant described them, were higher
| than he had ever known, for think have
already mentioned the singular impassive-
ness Of my friends outward demeanor, but
even during the period of temporary sun
shine, his eccentric habit was never broken
through Of sitting undisturbed for portion
Of each day, gazing on that portrait, which
appeared to comprise all he valued and
loved upon earth.
This was an unalterable rule, and day af-
ter day his cheek was paler and his eye
more haggard after the communion, which
he strove to think he thus held with his
spirit love. Then came reverses and fail
u1es. Those in whom he confded abused
his trust. Shares went down to nothing.
An enterprise in which Levanter, whom he
always disliked, had persuaded him to join,
failed utterly, and Hillingdon, as the only
tangible person concerned, suffered severe
ly. Whole nights spent with the dice-box
in hand, were not likely to restore matters,
and ''the beginning of the end" became too
apparent. All this time his outward bear
ing remained totally unchanged; the same
calm demeanor, the same mild voice and
placid brow, and above all, the same sweet
ness of temper that won him the affection
of all with whom he came in contact. slate
or early, good OR evil" said his old servant,
the tears running down his withered cheeks,
81 never had a sharp word or an unkind
look from my beloved master. Oh, Captain
Grand, you know what he was, need not
tell you!" and an uncomfortable burst of
grief checked the poor old mans melancholy
recital. At length it became obvious that
his whole remaining property would only
suffice to clear him of his liabilities, and as
soon as he discovered this to be the fact, he
made no secret Of his inducements. By
one desperate effort he did try to retrieve
himself. Alas it was gamblers struggle
and he lost.
With jealousy of military honor which
may be appreciated though scarcely under
stood, he had made up his mind to stop short
of a sum which would entail upon him the
sale of his commission, and he seemed to have
determined that come what might, he would
at least die with "harness on his back"
like reserve was made for leaving hand
some legacies to few old servants and de-
pendents, after which his whole remaining
property was devoted to clearing himself of
his liabilities. Thus much learned from
his servants and the. lawyers with whom he
had been concerned The rest of his history.