Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-06-11

made no effort to prepare himself for his
approaching trial Finally, in the excite
ment of his pursuits, Ffj was completely
unaware, that morDingsf examination had
arrived, until Gerald recalled it to his mind
When'calied before the Faculty, he was so
much under the influence Of wine, that
his replies to their questions were vague,
disconnected and unsatisfactory, and when
he left their presence most unpromising
expression sat upon the features of every
one. He was to receive their decision at
ten o'clock that night, but. as soon as sup.
per was over he hurried away as usual to
the, gaming Saloon. For time, fortune
continued to favor him, but at lencthshe
1osts Forgetful of his late ss.vfurfou 20
ceasr us soon as his luck changed, he threw
still larger stake upon the table and lost
again. When he left the room that night,
not one dollar remained to him, which he
had about him, Of the Ia; ge sum he had
won before. Once at home, he never stop
ped to read the billet from the Faculty,
but threw himself upon his bed and sank
into troubled and uneasy slumber. The
next morning Gerald watched him with
deep interest, as he broke the seal, and with
feeling of exultation, beheld him at length
hurl the note into the fire, and covering
his face with his hands, sink into chair,
murmuring family, I am rejected
Crushed, humiliated, where could he
find forgetfulness but in the wine cup?-
It was to him transient draught from
Lethe's food, and eagerly he sought to bury
his shame beneath the rosy wave. That
night he lost at Rouge ct Noir,' not only
all that remained of his former winnings,
but when be rose from the table, he had
made debt Of honor of more than two
thousand dollars, (for the keeper of the Sa-
loon, by this time knew him well.)
Gerald vas just upon the eve of retiring
for the night, when the door opened and
Cecil entered and threw himself into a
chair. His face was pale as death, aud the
large, cold drops stood forth upon his brow,
while every nerve seemed shaken as the
hurricane shakes the slender reeds that
yield before its fury. Gerald's heart
nelted.for moment as lie saw before him
the wreck which he had made of all that
was noble 10 the breast Of man, but the
momentary remorse passed away and he
was again himself lie listened to Cecil's
incoherent account, and at its close advised
him to write to his father and tell all, ad-
ding that he vas sure Mr. Arlington would
not only forgive, but woul: enable HIN to
pay the large sum for which he was iu-
debted.
The LexImorning as he was on the point
of starting to the Post Office, Cecil handed
him tie lort~r -sl.:~L L., t-4 -.-..----- L =
advice. Gerald deposited his own letter
but. lot CeciI's, ami The moment he wa;
again in his own room, he drew 1t from hi
poclct, aDd proceeded with extreme care te
fil 1hen up. He selected among them all
the enc he deemed best executed and pla
cling it ID all envelope directed it to Ceci
IN his fathers handwriting. So we'll imi
tated shat it might have deceived Mr.. Ar
lingtou himself, and clearly proved tia
Gerald must have been long IN the babi
of initiating his penmansbip. Just as h
had flushed, the Irish servant girl cam
into the room to summon him to dinner
for his work had occupied nearly the Who'll
! forenoon. Gerald started in evident cor
fusion as she entered and hastily gatherin
up the paper over which he had write
and the superfuous draughts, he thrns
them together into his port folio, and wen
down to the dining room AS soon as h
returned he proceeded to destroy all ev
dencc of his mornings work, but in com
mitting them to the flames did not motto
that one of the counterfeited draughts an
one of the scraps Of paper whereon he ha
written Mr.. Arlington's name, had disa]
peared. His examination occurred durin
the week, and was passed with great credi
Shortly afterwards he met the letter carrie
in the street and gave him the letter whic
he prepared for Cecil. When be return
ed home, Cecil drew him aside and to
him that he had received draught fro
his father for the whole amount of his il
dcbtedness, but not single word more.-
They walked together down to the bank
get it cashed, Cecil wondering meanwh
whether this strange silence on his fathe
part portended good or ILL., He was We
known to the Cashier and he made no
I fculty about paying the large sum call
8 for by the draught. AS soon as he rece
u ed it, Cecil hurried away to pay his dc
: of honor while Gerald with a strange {
e preston of satisfaction upon his fa
o. walked slowly back to his room.
Q had scarcely seated himself before the dc
3 opened and Mr.. Arlington appeared G
d aid started up in astonishment, mutteri
I to himself "a mo nent later and [ sho,
n have lost the game, then taking Mr.
a lington's extended hand he answered
s inquiry for Cecil, by saying that he
. gone down the street upon business
n would return in short time.
Not having received any letter fl
, (, him, said MIR. Arlington, grew une
~ and resolved to come to the city myself
> Received no letter from him = excla
10 ed Gerald with we'll affected surprise,
!, assure you he wrote TO you week ago,
~ planning all the unfortunate circumstar
II whici; - unfortunate circums
y ces, interrupted Dir Arlington, can
~ possible that he has failed to pass a
- cessful examination 2
- - It's too true, replied Gelaid, vi
%an ~ tone and lock Of deepest sympathy, 'b'
nf was probably owing IL great measure to
-, state in which be appeared before
"a "a Faculty It is With pain that | am OBJ
'on to tell you that you DO do not Jet knoV
to worst.
,oo Great Heaven!' calculated Ms.
. lington, what car be worse than