The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-01-01
CHAPTER VII.

+ F..rk SdAf1 Ed ' IL. F=s
HSuicide in high life!n Such was
the caption of an article that caught
the eye of young man, while reading
morning paper, notorious for entering
into the details of every domestic ca
tastrophe that occurs in the city where
in is laid the scene of my story.
Can it be possible!" he exclaimed,
as be ran his eye. over the paragraph,
which closed thus: a4
1is said that he fell victim 10 the
arts of certain members of an infamous
private Club, whose misdeeds have
been somewhat exposed, particularly
those Of the well known P o."
The reader. seizing his hat, FASTENED
to neighboring dwelling, which he
entered, and proceeded to the dressing
room of one of its occupants, with the
paper still held open in his hand
"Here! Philip. read this. 1t is too
horrible !" and he covered his face with
his hands.
"Oh," replied Philip, " is this what
Won are making such a fuss about =
Poor fool and so he thought he might
as we'll die, as try 10 live without plenty
of the ready eha Well, almost
think so. TOO; but am not get discour-
aged. There are more acays than one
But this is not so pleasant" he contin-
ued, as he perused the closing remark,
which we have quoted: "quite too
plain-spoken. I'll puaish that fellow
for this" efznl aaF
h. :. Philip Orridge, can You be SO IN
feelingie ] am hardened enough, but
yonr indifference shocks me. If you
hal not brought him back to our cursed
Z. Club" he would have been happy
with his amiable family. Poor, poor
.Charlesi Do you see what his mother
and sister-she is sweet, gentle crea-
ture-must have endured In his
room, in their very presence, he COM
mitted the horrible, crime! He was
found on the bed, by the neighbors who
rushed inon hearing the report, and
the screams of the servants; a pistol
still grasped in his hand. The ball,
with sure aim, had entered the left
temple. from which small dark stream
was tickling down his cheek. On the
floor, lay extended his mothers lifeless
form ION his bosom, his sister had thrown
herself with sobs and screams.
Philip We must break up; yes 4,
for one, here swear to you, that the ter
rible end of poor Charles Neville, has
saved me. If my own strength will
not suffice, will join one of the Tenn
perance Societies. They have worked
wonders throughout our landn ss
Thus spoke Edward F., and he kept
his vow Two others joined him in his
excellent resolve; and they are now
hon6red, useful members of society.
"The Club of Twelve,a was thus
happily destroyed. Philip Orridge con-
finued In his career of crime until he
resorted to forgery in order to supply
his empty purse Fear of detection,
caused him to flee to the far southwest,
where, under an assumed name, he
Joined band of highway robbers, was
for murder, found guilty, and
executed One of the number entered
The navy, and there met with a tragi-
cal death Of the remaining six some
we're scattered abroad, while others
lied of those diseases consequent upon
} course of inebrieiy and dissipation.
Mrs. Neville, always OF. q frail health |
md delicate constitution, was complete
y prostrated BY grief for The. melan-
,hoITl fate of her own son--her pride
She mourned as Zone without hope !"
md in a few months followed him, to
lis early tomb, leaving Lucy a lonely, /
orphan; confding her, with
lying breath, to the heavenly care of a
aerciful Providence, and the earthly |
of a. kind uncle, who took
.er 10 his home, where change of
Gene and the lapse Of time produced /