Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-07-18

By COMMISSIONING EDITOR"
It was midnight-deep, gloomy mid
night. / had just awakened from a dream,
and was listening to the ghost winds as
they howled piteously without. 1t was in
the month Of March stormy, clustering
March as I turned in my bed, I thought |
heard the footsteps Of some one walking
rapidly below. Who, thought I, can be
abroad on such disagreeable, stormy nj light
as this
Just as I had concluded this interogato-
ry, my room was brilliantly lighted by the
rays Of a lamp, carried by some one in the
street, and soon there was a knock at my
door.
Who could want my services. Who
!, could expect me to venture out on such a
! night as. this ? The rain was falling thick
and fast, and I had taken medicine before
. retiring. Again the knock was repeated,
and this time with more vigor.
Leaping from my couch, by the aid of
1 the Pickering rays without, which from
t some cause or other, did not light my room
with that brilliancy which it did at first
a l obtained my matches, and was enabled to
= light my night lamp.
- Fastening down the steps, soon opened
the door, and was met by rather a rough
er looking customer. My first impulse was
lamp, who psrceivirg what | was about,
ar grasped me by the hand exclaiming-
II; ~ Doctor B, do come-do sir; there
ii is a poor wretch dying at my house, and
TX you may yet aid him. He is in such mis-
ue cry sir, such"
nd And the man appeared to be deeply
n. moved. AS | said in the offset, it was a
H. clustering stormy night, yet in a short
f fg time, | had determined to accompany the
d; unknown. So fastening my door, | told
lp- the man to await my Commissioning
d, him Iwould be with him in a moment.
a Afterdressing myself and looking around
the room a moment, [ came to the conclu
sion, as the person was unknown to me-
IN never having recollected of seeing him be
,es fore-I would prepare myself for any emer
ir- gency. Taking my pistol from the head O
/; my bed, concealed it about my person il
in such a manner as to prevenpsuspicion.
by Being now ready I turned to my wife
ang' who was still sleeping, and implanting
US kiss upon her forehead, I quilted my home
with the stranger determined in my owl
age mind to breast every danger.
age My guide passed from street to street
rch and through long, dark alleys, without
= word being passed between us, I folloWin:
OUT close in his rear as he led.
tbe AT length my companion stopped befor
OH a rude howell, in a dark, out-of. the-wa
place, and turning to me requested me t
ody enter this I refused to do, and he accord
eril ingly led the way.
ose Up one-up two-up three pair of rich
IN ETY. staircases we wound our way until "
arrived in the garnet. Fear crept over M
,ese and in spite of myself, my knees tremble
:. as | followed the footsteps of my guide.
- Landing IN the garnet, what a sight me
ado my gaze. The room had never been pla
the tered or boarded, and black cobwebs wei
As suspended from the joists. AS I turned, i
tier a corner laying upon one or two old piece
was of carpet, was a man! But oh, what
OF mock to the word. His hair was thic
ane and matted, and his eyes all bloodsho
were rolling wildly from one side to tt
other-ragged and dirty-he was witho,
lder a whole garment on his body.
anne Oh how my blood chilled as I behe
'"S hAm NueH nc WAS aware OF my preSeQc
n II ne endeaVored to raise himself, but to 1
ra5S effect, he was too near gone.
wos ooh, doctor he exclaimed wildly, s.
,ity, you know me-do you recognize me /?
,wie [ told him | did not, and as he appear,
nted in so much agony, I thought it best not
inch interrogate him.
the But he did not wait, and Immediate
Iulu said, as if he had not heard my answer.
us Doctor, | will confess to you-to Y,
him who knew me of old. Mine was a life
vhen promise ; I have an old mother who st
Fray lives, yet knows not the depth of degrad
med ton into which her son has sunk. Lur
Inc on by evil companions, | was one of the
oiow who robbed the P bank. Not bel
,taiv discovered in this, my first crime, my apI
icted tite longed for adventure. I left my hor
WINS as my friends thought for the gold regio
,sted of California but for the ostensible p,
ends pose of joining a band of counterfeiters a
E, oy robbers. From crime to crime l "
.nsei plunged, until last night-oh heaven
been last night, sir I killed my OWN father !!
knew it not at the time, but when I tt