The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-03
}OLD SERIES, VOL. 3, NO. 40
TERMS, $3.50 I'm Advance.

past bank hours, and he put it for safe keepirs
in his pocket. This was a propitious time
for the hawk. He knew he had the money,
and knew it was in his power TO rob him
He further knew that the ruin Of this youth
would fall with double vengeance upon his
head. But what cared he--he was an Isbmae-
lite, with his hands against every and every
body's hands against him. He argued, - all
gamblers argue eff don't rob him, another
will" He had given the young man ocular
demonstrations of his success, by winning sew
eral thousand dollars, at different times-or
rather pretending 10 win. ~
Night came, and with it the ruin Of the
youth. The hawk, as usual prevailed upon
him to accompany him to the gaming reor.-
The game was open, and the hawk appeared
to win every bet, until he woa over three thou
sand dollars. He then drew out the money
and put it in his pocket. Shortly after he had
deposited 1t, gentleman called him aside and
asked him 10 take his check for the amount
that he wished to leave FOR Boston on the
early Railroad train, aud could not, unless he
could give his cheek, as the hank would not be
open until ten, and it was essential that he
should take his funds with him. TAetale was
plausible, and the hawk said the gentleman
was responsible, ard should have the money.
A pen, ink, and blank cheek was furnished
by Moore the proprietor. and the student re-
quested to fiji it ont which he did and tho gem
tleman signed il and received the money and
lelt the house Immediately afterwards.
Hawk now thought he would try his luck
again and as he had loaned his money to dol
lar to his Boston friend, he would borrow Of
the student, and then asked him for the loan
Of fifty dollars until the bank should open
next day. The youth having Atty dollars Of
his own funds, accommodated him without
word This time Hawk was less successful.
He lost. He then applied to .he student FOR
larger amount and to secure him deposited the
check in his hands. The victim could not
refuse, under the circumstances, and felt 81
though to doubt him, would be doing great
injustice. HAWKS kindness in the paying for
his suit Of clothes besides the security Of the
check deposited in his hands even to larger
amount. He, without further persuasion,
placed his employers money in his hands, and
as ooon as he did so. the ssfaro bankn keeper
won 1t and placed it in his beautiful rosewood
box. The game was then declared closed (by
the proprietor aud the student, highly excl.
ted with what had transpired, left the gaming
house for his lodgings.
No sleep closed his eyes that night. Tfs
next morning, before banking hours, he placed
himself at the door of the bank, and az soon
as the door was opened, lie presented his
check at the paying teler's desk The teller
informed him that the check was not drawn in
his name, and therefore he could not pay it.
The young man Immediately left in pursuit Of
his friend, as his name was attached to the
check. He found him, and they returned in
haste to the bank; but alas there they foand
that the drawer of the check had presented
his check and withdrawn the whole Of his de-
posits. Hawk appeared much surprised at
the conduct of his friend, and started immedl-
ately in pursuit Of him. The young man went
to his lodgings and was there 10 rsu.ain until
he succeeded in finding him, and recoveripg
the money. q a iy'e sfqo
The time passed heavily. His employer Wa
then at the office awaiting his return. Twelve
o'clock came and passed, and no friend yet re.
| turned to comfort him. What could hs dor
Should he destroy himself? Or should he 70
to his employer and state his compromised sit-
uation? All this crowded upon his bsain.---
Yet he had great confidence in his supposed
friends honest exertions to relieve him. /. Rnt
that friend was as treacherous a. vias could
make him; and instead Of dsing - he promis-
ed, had gone Immediately to his employer and
told him that his clerk had been to Moors's
gambling house, and lost his money, and thst
ne was now secreting himself at his lodgings,
and at night expected to fee. F
A warrant was at once taken out BY his EN-.
ployer, and the youth arrested and placed in
the Tombs for further examination. Several
days passed by without any further notice be-
ing takeE of him, during which time 40 tongue
or pen could have described his mental agony.
One night the watchman Of the prison was ta-
king his rounds, when he heard moans issu.
ing from his cell. He opened the door aad
found him frantic. On enqusrins, the kind
hearted officer volunteered to cali and see hi,
employer, which he did, and found that the
students tale was true to the letter. He nade
the facts known, and had him released: and
as his name had not been mentioned. hisyem-
ployer offered to keep him in his seryice.-.
But this offer he refused; his hopes vera
crushed and torn up by the roots. y .T,
He had committed himself in way that
would bring down the gray hairs Of his aged
parents with sorrow to the grsve. Beside,.
bis sense Of honor would not permit him to
have any further correspondence with his an
anced bride, in this desperate state Of mind hs
went under fictitious name, enlisted as ! com,
mon soldier IN the United States Army, and
left the city poor broken,hsssted, ruined
young man. 46i -,..
But could this sad tale rest here? His tals
OF sorrow and ruin though not told by hi, life.
was deeply engraved upon the tablets Of the
hearts Of his aged and helpless parents
There must have been much sorrow. Such
sorrow as may be told or read by some. but
never felt as they have felt it, He left in :
few days with his soldier companions for the
far distan. West, and was never more heard of.
Il r