The Kanzas news., 1859-03-26
PEELED such thoughts. and be left him ab-

'sDeadi dead!'' still mused the old man.
"But debts never die must pay all
pay ALL"
In few days Henry and Anna were
married; and soon after, they started for
New York, where he had secured clerk
ship, leaving the old man alone, and his
house without hostess; but he only stuck
to his business closer, and labored harder
than before.
1t was very bleak and cold night in De.
cember, nearly three years after the mar
riage of his daughter, that horseman drove
up to the door of Edmands' Hotel, threw
the reins to the hostler. uttering; "Rub hin
down and six quarts'--then walking into
the entry, he said to the porter. 'Private
room and fire." He was shown to his room;
and while the porter was kindling the fire
he threw off his cloak, laid pair of pistols
and bowie knife on the table, and placed
three bags of gold beside them.
''Beefsteak, brandy and water" ordered
the stranger, as the waiter showed his head
in answer 10 the bell.
Hours after the traveller had received his
supper, and when the whole house was in
slumber, the bell of No. 13 rang; as it
brought no response to the summons, it was
rung again more violently, still it was un-
answered; then it was rung more loud, dis
turbing half the sleeepers in the house, and
in few minutes the porter was heard shuf-
fling through the passageways to the stran-
gers door. He opened 1.-THE occupant
of the room was seated at the table, on which
were his pistols. bags of gold, and writing
materials.
''Send the landlord here said he.
''He has gone to bed, sir,'' replied the
porter.
"Send the landlord here" repeated the
stranger, in loud, fierce tone.
The porter, completely astonished, hur-
ried to his masters room and related what
had transpired. Edmands quickly dressed
himself and went to his guests room.
whom he found standing with his back to
the fire, and pistol in his hand.
''John Edmands!' cried the stranger, as
that gentleman entered his room; then he
sank powerless into chair, and his pistol
dropped from his hands to the floor. ''Wy-
nal for Gods sake, how came you
here?" asked Edmands, as he bent over his
companion, and endeavored to restore MIN.
At length Wynall opened his eyes and
then at the bed, then at the fire, then mur-
mured:
''No, tits not dream, It's reality" then
looking at Edmands, he added: 30 my God,
forgive me, forgive mel
And this old gray haired villain bowed
his head to his hands, and shed big, scald-
ing tears of penilence.
He remained in this position some time;
finally, raising his eyes, he glanced at the
pistol which was lying on the floor where
he had dropped it; then picking the weapon
up, he walked to the table, and pointing to
a chair, said:
''Sit down, Edmands. have something
to tell you"
Edmands took the seat designated. and
he commenced:
81 need not revert to my running away
from New York; you remember as well as
me, when absconded and ruined others
besides you. I was born beggar, and
bred miser, and in my boyhood days l
chose for my god-gold! When induced
you to invest your money with me did
not intend to rob you, only to get the prof
its of your dollars; but the crisis came,
and I feared bankruptcy. dreaded being
a poor man, SO took your gold, my gold,
the gold of others, and fed, thinking that
with it l could buy pleasures-could live
happy. But / was mistaken. In vain
would I fly from the blightiug demon-it
follows me like scourge. Fifty times
have put this pistol to my head to blow
my brains to the air; fifty times has fear ia
ken it away, and preserved me for torments
worse than those of hell came to this
house to commit suicide, and in this room,
tonight, shall die
keep your seat. john" be said, as Ed
mands was about stepping to the door
"'Tis but the work of an instant; and be-
fore you could raise an alarm my brains
would be spattered over the ceiling and walls.
In those bags is gold-enough, I believe, to
pay for what 1 wronged you out of; on the
table is letter for you, for did not ex-
pect to find you here, but called the land
lord to give him my instructions" He
had spoken very firmly till now. but his
voice trembled as he said: "Come, Ed
mands, shake hands and forgive me before
I CO."
Edmands took the proffered hand, saying:
Edward Wynall, I fully and freely for
give you; but you surely will not commit
so great sin against your God, as to take
your own life?"
The report of the pistol was the only an
swer. He had placed the muzzle to mis-
mouth and fired, even while Edmands was
speaking.
On the morrow an inquest was held on
the suicides body, and it was consigned to
the ground. In few weeks Edmands
sold his property, which had increased
greatly in value on his hands, aud started
for New Nork. A meeting of the former
creditors of ''Wynall & Edmands'' was
called at the house of Henry Elwen, and
each one was paid the amount of his orig.
inai claim.
s'Now, then, believe that have paid
anP' said the old man, as be took the lasi
receipt.
| "But the interest,"" interruuted one oi