The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-05-05

you on board. went back to G-'s to try
my luck once more, and the scoundrels won
every dollar. The knayes they've cheated
me! If could only have time to try my luck
again, I'd soon have shown them could win
as roundly as they"
In giving vent to his excitement, he forgot
for the moment, the consequences which his
gratified passion had already brought upon
his helpless family, and angrily starting up,
paced the narrow space about them with
flushed and scowling face.
Poor Mary had received the tidings of her
new misfortune with suppressed groan, but
now her emotion was only visible in the silent
tears that fell thick and fast, while she en-
circled her unconscious children more close
ly in her arms. She remembered the many
days and nights Of weary toll she had endur-
ed to gather portion of the little sum that
was to convey them away from the scenes of
her suffering, and with which they were to
secure an humble home farther West. But
now all was gone. The bright antcipations
of hume Of their own, in some quiet spot,
had long been her strength, and many an
hour of sorrow had been lightened with the
thought that one day they should till their
own land, that she should see the bright grain
waving and the prairie flowers springing lux
uriantly around their dwelling; and her heart
beat with joy, as, in Imagination, she saw
her children bounding upon the green sward,
and breathing the fresh pure air, that had
thus far been denied them; and above all,
she would see her husband freed from the in
fuences that drew him and his hard earnings
to the gambling table with such magnetic
witchery, despite all his resolutions and pro-
misses. But poor Mary's Imagination had
travelled too fast, and her happy dreams
were all crushed now. No word ofreproach
escaped her lips, though she shuddered as she
listened TO the night wind, and thought how
soon they should be without shelter. Her
uncomplaining sorrow touched the heart of
the gambler, and again he threw himself
down upon the old chest, and burying his
face in his hands, awaited the summons he
momentarily expected from the captain.
There they sat till midnight approached.
Quiet had taken the place of the noisy con-
fusion Of the evening, as one after another
dropped away in slumber. The heavy rumb-
| ling sound Of the machinery fell painfully
upon the nervous ear of the gambler, as he
listened to the approach Of every football,
till suddenly the sound ceased, and only the
rushing waters and the dismal whistling OF
the wind broke the stiffness. Presently the
captain, accompanied by man bearing a
lantern, appeared, and ordered the unwel-
come passengers forward. They arose, and
without word obeyed the summons.
The boat was already lowered and two men
at the oars awaited orders. Mary prepared
to descend, and placing the babe in her young
daughters arms, with word ofcaution turn
ed from them and in moment more was
safely seated in the boat. By the dim light
Of the lamp she watched the coming Of Anna,
with her precious burden, and with anxious
fear saw them lifted to the boats edge. She
reached forward TO secure them, but Anna
tottered and in a moment was plunged into
the rolling waters. A shrill shrek rent the
air and rang through the boat with such wild
agony as awoke every sleeper.
MY child My Anna" cried the fran.
tic mother, as she gazed yainly in the dark
waters that had closed over her loved ones
Save them save them !" she still shrek
ed, while she struggled TO throw herself after
them, though firmly held BY one Of the oars
men. The other plunged into the river
while half dozen lights flung broad CLEAN
upon the water, and enabled him to discern
any object that appeared.
The father peered into the distance with
keen quick gaze, and then gave loud shout
as dark mass arose to the surface. With
few expert strokes the swimmer reacheI
Anna as she was sinking beneath the wave
again, and with strong hold lie grasped an,
IL .F I'll 80.
mother, who folded the dripping, exhanste,
child, to her bosom. still she shriekcd--
I" Nv child nv babe is gone Oh, say,
him too" And with wild gestures she en-
treated them to find il.
! "What does she mean !" asked the aston
: ished oarsman.
. Anna had the babe in her arms when
j lifted her down 10 you, replied the excite
: and bewildcred father.
. "Without another word, the generou
: boatman plunged into the water again an,
! glided here aud there in search Of the lost
In vain the lights flashed hither and thither
! throwing a long streak Of brightness TO th
! shore. Nothing was visible, and hope san
/ ia the hearts Of the loukers.On who had gath
cred upon the deck. aud even the harsh cap
; tain pitied the mother. as he heard her ago
! nized sobs, when the search was abandoned
i and the boatman returned, chilled and weari
i ed. from his fruitless efforts. No one spoke
{ aud many eyes still watched the ruillcd wa
D tiers. Amid the silence, save the half stitle,
E grief Of the bereayed mother, the boat glide
$ slowly away, the oars dripping lightly int
4 the waters that had embosomed the slcepin
E babe. On and on thcy softly moved, till tll
I boat. lights glimmered in the distance. an
/ thew could see the wayy lines Of the shOr,
!, aud the dark wood that bordcred IL.
I Close upon the shore stood a few hamlets
4 and here 10 the midnight darkness, they lei
: the none ylcss gambler, his stricken wife, an
/ the half.lrowned Anna. Poor Mary 81
1 moaning upon the river bank. elasping be
n only remaining child, ,'and siraining her gaz