The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-12-28


Robert, whom in a stern and imperative man.
ner, he reminded Of his dying parents lnjunc-
ton, he abrubtly asked him what his future
Intentions were-whether he meant to return
10 town or remain in the country This
assumption OF authority struck young Baldwin
as being both ill-tmtd and unfeeling, at such
a moment, and he turned away from him with
ill-disgulsea disgust. Colonel Prussing repeat
! dIately. s'You have been recalled to the coun-
| try," he continued, by, i Is true, melancholy
event but one which may, nevertheless, prove
beneficial, in ITS ultimate consequences, il you
neglect not to take advantage OF it. The society
| OF Constance, country amusements, aud abo We
all, the absence of all opportunities OF indul-
! gng in the baneful pursuit, to whichyou have of
late unfortunately been but too much addicted,
are not the least important of those to which |
alIute." Recalled oy what appeared 20 him
| heartlesS allusIon, on such an occasion, TO his
| recent follies, Robert left the apartment after
having made him an angry and esasive reply,
and it'was with feelings of qualification that in
short time after this interview, he saw the
! Colonel depart in his travelling carriage. Left
alone IN that silent chamber with the dead body
Of his father, the folies Of his life passed rapid
| ~ through bis memory, and, kneeling by all
that was left OF him who had guarded and guild
ed his infant footsteps, he, then and there, made
a solemn VOW TO abandon forever, practice
I which, he tell: was dragging down bis soul TO
perditlon. That vow has been recorded against
! you bv the recording angel in the high Court
of heaven and woe to you, Robert Baldwin, if
| you keep ii not
/! Chap. II.
The 5ustle Of The funeral had a; length passed
away, and visits of coincidence had become less
| f-e9uent. Roberts father had given the entire
charge ofsettIing his estate to his maternal uncle,
thus rendering the young mans presence in the
country unnecessary, aud he, unfortunately,
as events proved, determined on returning to the
/ city, until he should become entire master of
iiis ,rSperg However sc5s.5al~rable tie ir--
crease made TO his former yearly allowance,
Z
pay the many and heavy debts he had contrac-
| ted in the short space OF few months, and ne
| was obliged TO satisfy the most Importunate OF
hrs creditors with the money ne had at his
Immediate command. He had intended to
have broken off all further intercourse with
Colonel Prussing by returning TO him the sum
he had borrowed from him but that was now
out OF the question The contrary, increasing
difficulties rendered a new loan indispensa-
bic.
This the Colonel not only readily granted
him, bat moreover expressed his willingness 10
arrange matters with his creditors. This propo-
sal was gladly accepted and Robert emboIdened
by so of-handed proceeding, veniureG to al
ude 10 his promise Of Introducing hum to the
circle of friends, which he had on a former
occasion tsated 10 be in the habit of assembling
in his house, more as he said TO witness their
play than VeTtake in ii for, as he stated,
it was his purpose to never TO play again.
The Colonel, after warning him against placing
himself in the way OF temptation and alter a
morallzing effects of gambling, promised to
accede to his wishes and the next evening was
fixed upon for his introduction.
Young Baldwin, on his entrance, found the
party seated around the hazard table and ap-
parentIy so intent upon tie game as not 10
perceive those who entered. They were for,
the most part, men far advanced in years, and
of far from prcposSesslng appearance, as he
thought, and the san G, froid with which they
lost and won large sums, not little astonlshed
him. Not being in temperament to remain long
passive observer, he soon became deeply en-
gagged, and in the course of few hours, was
so considerable winner, as to be enabled, If
he bad wished, TO free himself from all the
pecunary obligations he was under TO the
Colonel. Refreshments ON the most splendid
scale were now introduced, and a temporary
pause took place in the rafting OF the dice box.
While the remainder of the company were en-
gagged in conversation and slipping their cham
paign, the Colonel drew Baldwin to a distant
corner Of the room, told hun that his run of
fortune had been such as, with a little aid,
would free him from his present endorsements,
and urged hIm TO be guided by the advice of an
old and experienced Stager, and TO content
himself with his present winnings. Ever I'M
patient Of control, and particularly SO at the
present moment, while heated by success, Ro-
bert begged that for the future, he would re-
serve his advice ior those who solicited it, while
he angrily dsengaged himself from his arm.