The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-12-08


the subject of common observation
They strayed here and there, over all
parts Of the vessel. as if in museum
Of strange specimens, examining every
thing by turns with looks Of beaming
enthusiasm. 1t might be readily inferr-
ed that they had never been on board a
steamer before-at least, such was the
general impression caused by their ac-
tions. But what was especially remark
able. although enjoying their inspection,
as it seemed. in the highest degree.
they never addressed each other even
so much as in a whisper, and the female
appeared to have an unaccountable pass
ion for testing every object by feeling
it with her right hand, while her left
never let go its hold on the others arm,
as if she were afraid Of falling; and
yet her gait, though gentle and timid,
was light and airy as the tread Of the
antelope. Having completed their ex-
ploration of all other localities, the couple
returned to the ladies' cabin.
Their personal characteristics also
deserve passing notice. The young
man, who could scarcely have arrived
at the age of majority. was of the ordi-
nary stature, and somewhat slender;
but from the admirable symmetry of his
round, elastic limbs, as we'll as the sur
prising quickness of their motions, he
might, nevertheless, be supposed to pos
sess considerable strength and the
greatest activity, His features were
fair and comely, and his fine blue eyes
the most piercing that ever saw in a
human head.
The female was in the earliest bloom
of youth, perhaps on the verge of six
teen summers; anu never did lid inst iinstt dew.
ey spring time of life offer to the gazer's
view sweeter flower. Her face was
soft and tender in its expression as that
of child, and looked as if it never had
lost the infant innocence which blessed
it in the golden dawn Of first existence !;
and her slight, fairy-like figure showed
not single defect in the exquisite har-
mony of its proportions. In short, the
sternest critic could find but one fault
in this model of feminine beauty. Her
eyes were large, and of the deepest,
purest azure, like the heaven of the sun
ny south yet, in some degree, they
were wanting in the beamy, gem-.ike
lustre which makes the visual orbs liter
ally windows of soul. 1t is true they
might be still compared to stars, but
they did not glow and sparkle, and re-
sembled rather the silver lights of the
planets shining through the snowy mist
of pellucied cloud. Besides, they
wore look of meek timidity mingled
with unimaginab!ed sadness, such as
produced, in every beholder's heart, af.
feci,onase pity more than love.
Actuated by inquisitiveness. asked
the -ssa1 tain Of the vessel-'Who are
these two young persons apparently
SO fondly devoted to each other, and
yet never exchanging word 2
1 cannot inform YOU he replied
but you can see by applying to the
clerk.
Immediately went to the Office, and
the line being pointed out on the book,
registering their arrival and separate
state rooms, told only their names, 'Al.
fred Greenleaf, and his sister Iona
At this moment, l heard the clear
ringing of gold pieces behind me, and
turning round, beheld Frank Foemar
and two other gamblers seated at a,table,
and preparing for game ofpoker. The
pastime proceeded, and large sums Of
money changed hands with Startling ra.
pidity but / soon discovered that the
play was mere sham, got up for the
purpose of alluring the unwary and in
experienced into the glittering SNARE
My eyes soon wandered from the board
in the direction of the ladies' cabin, and
met vision that rivetted their gaze.-
The young stranger, Alfred Greenleaf,
was standing, with flushed and excited
features, his keen blue eyes fixed on the
card table with glance like that of the
eagle at its prey, while his sister, the
lovely Iona, with sad beseeching coun.
tenance, endeavored to draw him back
by the arm to his seat on the sofa. He
turned towards her with a frown Of an
ger, vet she did not relax her hold, OF
cease her fruitless efforts. Neither o.
them spoke word, but seemed to b.
dumb actors in this strange pantomime
After few minutes, the brother broke
away with hoarse, cultural cry, like
that of an enraged wild animal, and
Immediately approached the gamblers
He then hung over the board with look!
of enthusiastic delight, watching every
change in the luck, as eagerly as if h'
were pei lsonally interested. These signl
could not fail to be noticed by the shar
pers, and Frank Foeman, at length, ad
dressed him with the courteous invita-
tion-'Would you like to take hant
with us? We are only playing 70
amusement
The youth did not answer in words
but by actions. He instantly seatel
himself at the table, aud placed at hi
elbow heavy purse of gold and a larg
, pocket book stuffed full of bank notes
: and then, for the first time, the gam
commenced in earnest. In br'e
J space, the three confederates discover
!, ed to their cost that they had committe'
, serious mistake in assuming that thei
[ adversary was novice. He held hi
! own against all of them united. and a
: last took the lead, and kept it for hours
, The bets we're, occasionally, enormous
) but Alfred Greenleaf could neither b
: frightened nor conquered by an phas
a in the evolutions of chance or skill.-
, He appeared to read the intentions of hi
, opponents, by looking into their eyes
) with the infallibility Of natural in
! stinct. But still he did not speak. II
/ raped his knuckles on the board as th
Q only token when he wished to "pass
: on poor hand. and he made all hi