The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-07-06
. CHAPTER XIII.

the morning in which occurred the
death Of Mrs. Winters.
A dim light j. seen burning through
the windows of a low frame house-a two.
storicd building painted red. and it is from
an upper room that the light proceedS.--
This interesting labitation is situated but
n few squares from the dismal quarter
mentioned in the last chapter, and as we
grope our way along the dark and un.
lighted streets, We are not altogether free
from certain misgivings, for we know that
in this locality, murLer and crime is of
dally.occurrence. But We reach this red
building, and hung over window of the
lower story is seen a.dirty red curtain, and
by the dim light that is set behind il, we
read in flaming characters the significant
wo'ds BAR RooM" We pass through
tins filthy three cent doggery," and as
cend through the darkness "a creaking
staircase that leads TO the second floor,
and a. we enter the room in which the
dim light seen from distance is burning.
shuddering sensation not altogether de.
yold OF fear creeps over us, for we are in
the midst of the most villaint us compound
the most murdcrous looking set Of hu-
man beings that ever gluated over a deed
OF crime, or drew the blade of the assas-
sin.
This motley group is composed Of men
OF every age and every cline; the dark
half.bred, half.savagc, and the puIest Eu-
r"pean extraction ningle together on
terms "fthe most perfect equality-Freneh,
Spanish, English, Italian, are all spoken
IN the same breath. 1t woulG seem that
the different nations Of the earth were here
represented to contest the supremacy of
their skill in the art of gambling; for at
this they are engaged in all its variety of
forms. The counteDances Of most of these
men are swarth and savage-lookinc-
fierce dark eyes gleam from under the
broad brim hats, while both beard and
moustache grow wildly over their faces.
IL is plain that this class do not carry
concealed" weapons; they wear waist
belt containing pair of pistols, the butts
sticking out, and long Spanish knife is
HING obliquely from theirleft side. There
are other classes; sailors with their broad
well knit frames. Injured to fatigue and
hardship, and the halfrefined rowdy, with
loaters OF the lowest description.
Seated at n table covered with an oily
green cloth, is tall rough looking nan.
with dark forbidding countenance, and
from the air Of authority which he assumes,
and certain degree Of respect shown him.
1t would seem that he Is the principal pro
prietor of this Q tablishment. The yellow.
shining gold, is piled up at his elbow, In
quantities that would make the eyes of the
mi~er swim with joy. The " Bank" is
evidently lin luck"
Among this crowd we discover some
two or three persons, who though their
dress or manner does not betoken il. We,
from their language. the s,nallness Of their
hands, and certain degree Of superiority
about their person, Il Is evident that they
are OF genteel origin. OF tliis class tbcre
IS one who particularly attracts our at,en-
tion. He is seated in moody silence---in
kind OF gloomy reverie-his face has a
pale and haggard appearance, and his ewes
roll restlessly inthrir sockets. Something a.
bo'd him tells of better DAYS, and the idea il
slowly creeping over us that we have seen
him beiore--we approach nearer; and
now we are convinced that we are no,
mistaken--we recognize Henry Winters I
A thousand thoughts pass through our
mind, as we gaze into the face of this now
miserable looking being. We think Of
the time when we saw him in the CITY az
- the handsome. sparkling, fascina.
ting and wealthy young Winters who
moved ia the highest circles who graced
many hall room scene--who was the
honosed guest Of many select party. and
who won the heart Of the beautiful All.
ice Wilson We think too o. the time
that we saw him at S.; the prcprie-
tor Of that splendid and fashionable sa-
loon, honoring him as the most favored of
ms arIstocratic visitors; and we contrast
that lime with the present, when we see
him . mere @hanger onp IN one Of the,
loWeet and irlosf deOYa1od heIls ~ ..i.;.I