St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-01-07
Moral Gale.
From Graham's Magazine for January
THE
UNKNOWN FRIEND
OR,
"Truth Stranger than Fiction

CHAPTER /.
Good evening, Harry Worral. A
merry welcome my boy. Take a seat
and, generous soul as you are, show
us decent trump"
The speaker was a man, Judging
from his physiognomy, bordering hard
upon fitty-tall and stalwart. He was
the owner of "a keen eye that twinkled
and danced and laughed as he spoke.
His visage was dark and crossed by
many line drawn either by huge care
Or the fearful work of long g-continued
dissi patton; and yet there was an un-
defnable something about his features
which Interested and fascinated whilst
it rcpulsed. Such countenance as
one may study for long time ani yet
know nothing.
The person addressed, on the other
hand, was young man Of delicate
mould, genteel exterior and singular
beauty. His dress was of the most cost
y materials, and arranged with taste
and precision. AS he brushed Il sidethe
ringlets from his fair, and broad brow,
L
more taultess features or finely round
ed bust.
The room, in which the two were,
was large and well illed with small,
nmmovable tables, at which were seat
ed number of men of all ages and
descriptions, reading, talking, smok-
ing, drinking, ay, something more.
The shutlling of cards, the deal, the
play, the exchange of money, the NUT
tered oath, the obscene jest, revealed
one of the most noted gambling dens
of the city of p.
Come, Harry" continued the man,
take a seat and try your hand"
Thank you, Mr.. Sockley, not to-
night. have an engagement which
l must keep and can tarry but mo-
ment."
What now, turned religionist? !?
Some prayer-meeting or lecture, for
sooth-you are going to take your
lady-love. By-lhc-by, Harry, l under
stand you are to be married soon; does
report lie Or mott"
Tomorrow, Mr.. Sockley."
Zounds, boy, you are mad, not to-
morrow" and the man assumed Sc
rious air as he continued, Harry, it is
said "of all vices advice is the most
odious," and it may seem doubly SO
coming from one whom the world calls
hard-hearted; but you will receive
what | say i'll the same spirit in which
it is uttered. After you are married,
never enter this place or any place of
like character, leave off drinking apply
yourself to business, spend your even
ings with your wife, and find if you
can that peace which we are told
surely follows clear conscience. We
shall miss your presence here, Harry,
for you are a jovial fellow, and your
wit has often sparkied as bright and
clear as the wine we have slipped to-
gether; your hearty laugh has time
and again lifted the cloud of sadness
from my brow and thrown a CLEAN of
sunshine across my path, but" the
rest of the sentence was inaudible.
"This is certainly sensible advice,
Mr.. Sockley, and l appreciate it all
the more, for it seems devoid of self.
interest and designed alone for my
benefit" and he seized the hand of the
gambler, pressed it warmly and left
the room.
Strange man." said Harry to him.
self, wager he is not what he seems.
One thing puzzles me much, he has
always artfully avoided answering
my questions touching his own his.
tory, and though have known him
for more than two years, am tonight
ignorant either Of his business or his
home. Sometimes have met him in
the street and curiosity has prompted
me to follow him, but have invaria
bly, lost him either in the crowd OF
restaurant. That he is a man of sense
| cannot doubt. The most precious
Jewels are sometimes placed beneath
rough coatings and in obscure caverns
His dark, forbidding exterior conceals
IA strong mind"
Thus he soliloquized as he hastenet
along the crow ded thoroughfare, .jost
led first this side and then that by til,
hurried tread Of business, the elasti,
step Of pleasure, or the weary marcl
Of poverty. Let us follow in the sam