The Kanzas news., 1858-11-27
- From the Olive Branch.
Richard Islington;
rHE RAUpER LIEuTEHAHT.
a Story that was told Me.
BIZ MRS. N. A. DENIsoN.

I did not like to see him there. He was
too young and handsome man. His phre-
biological developments were decidedly good.
He had fresh complexion, blue eyes, light
curly hair; but lack of decision chaFacterii-
zed his countenance-want of frmness was
apparent in his manner.
He was reading newspaper.
hat IS not one of your paupers, - said
I to the gentleman in charge.
Il am sorry to say that he is, sir he
replied.
so youngl so promising in appearance
II really cannot understand it" was my
reply.
"Ner could any one not acquainted with
his history, /" was the reply. "but let us re-
sumo our walk. By and by come this
way; he viii enter into conversation with
you; he is not backward about it. don't
know what to make of the man, really
'.But how old is he?''
"Twenty mine years; he looks even youn-
ger. fear he has lost all proper ambition
and it may be he will end his life in the
work house,
Fifteen minutes after I was hunting up
the parsonage who had interested me so
much. l found him in the garden, hoeing
potatoes.
We talked together on agriculture. His
fine language astonished me. felt that he
had had an ultimate acquaintance with books,
with men, with nature.
We walked along, he showing me the pro-
ducts of the soil. Presently we came to an
arbor overhung with grapes, and sat down
together.
Pardon me,'' said I, tt.if I take the lib
erty of asking what brought you here at SO
youthful an age. His eyes dropped, he
raised them again as he answered.
"Rum!''
That brief word! In my mind it is asso-
ciated with all the horrors of hell.
Presently he continued
ssI have disgraced an honorable name.
sir; I am bringing my family to shame, and
yeti have. not the nerve to be better
man."
I was indignant at this confession. He
saw it and continued
''Do not blame me, sir, you have not had
my trial. I have fallen from high place
Eighteen months ago, was lieutenant IN
the navy, SIR ~
"Isit possible2' Twas startled. shocked.
eyes, sir, possible; a reality. SIR His
lip quivered little as he added-tI have a
brother in the pulpit, sir; fine preacher. a
man loved and respected. How do you
suppose he feels? / have rich brother in
New York. They boln tried their best to
save me.
81 was ruined in my youth. There is a
large oil-store on the corner of NJ and l..
streets. You have doubtless seen it. Be
fore his death nay father carried on that bu-
siness. I went there regularly after it was
closed for the day, stealing from my home,
often from my bed, for the purpose, to ca
rouse with three young fellows of my own
age. We told stories, we drank wine to-
gether till midnight, then with the false key
had made, would steal into my home
and sleep off the effects of my carouse.
began that, sir, when was but ten years OF
age. Do you wonder was drunkard?-
Of those boys, alone am living. One oi
them shot himself, another was drowned,
drunk, and the third was hung for murder
only two months ago. The fourth you see
is not much better off, he added with a
sickIy smile.
my habits began to be known at last tc
my parents. 1t came near killing them
Before was eighteen had been brought
home drunk nearly a score of times
Sir. l fought with my habit, but it master
ed me. The 6end had me by the throat
Strange to say, once when ! was in Ii
quor. 1 performed daring feat. I caugh
runaway horse and by sheer strength sue
ceeded In arresting his mad course. Wonlt
that some power could have held me so.
was much applauded for my heroism. Blu
better than all the praise I heard, were tn,
sweet smiles upon the white face of the gir
I had saved from horrible death. She wa
driving alone in the city as had been he
wont for many months. I claimed tn
privilege of driving her home, as she wa
most thoroughly frightened. You smile
sir. but the exertion. her grateful thanks
my own impulses of gratitude had sobere
me. / sprang into the vehicle and in
short time we stopped at her fathers door
She invited me In. thought would a
least describe the accident and make som
apology for my unexpected appearance.
told the story of the narrow escape t
4 an old man whose brows and hair wer
whitened With the frosts of eighty winter,
/ It vas tha aged grandfather. Childish j
his Joy, he tottered towards me, and throS
ling his trembling arms about my neck, b
kissed me on my cheek.
d Many times have felt that kiss, sir.
was unworthy of so pure an ovation Io1
such a holy man. felt myself unworth
of that dear angels gratitude. as the swes
Il Annette came In a few moments after, sti
trembling, still pale. and, with her mist
blue eyes and gentle lips. thanked me agai
and again. In that house. that day. I va
s feasted Ike prince There we're cousin
and aunts there visiting for the summe
and among them I vas lion.