Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-09-22

lifted me but once at my Office, and then re-
manned less than five minutes. How ht
lspent his time did not inquire. He was
mystery. | spoke of him to Smith one
Iday. Strange to say, that gentleman had
never seen him, but from my description d
him, ventureG the opinion that he was eth
Ter gambler or a genteel pickpocket.
was reluctantly forced to the conclusion that
: Smith was light, and after that treated
the young man with unusual GOODNESS. He
observed the change, and his looks wore a
reproach SO sorrowful that / half repented
having harbored the suspicion Of my veneer
liable looking friend, who was fearfully ayerse
to all mysteries.
Occasion called me to my room, one ey-
Iening, at an earlier hour than usual. |
heard a soft rap at my door, and opening il
found Jansen standing in the entry
I"Come in, Jansen" | exclaimed, throwing
open the door.
"Would You not prefer taking walk r.
he inquired. "The night is beautiful"
i 81 believe not, tonight" | replied
|"some other tinle' | was little piqued
that he shorid persist in remaining outside
the door.
Il should be much pleased to have YOU .
he rejoined. Il have few words to say to
you in Justice 10 myself, and"
Enough | interrupted, "will 60"
felt assured he desired to tell me some-
thing of himself, and / was all anxiety to
rear it. TWAS unpleasant to think him a
Ipickpocket or sharper, and | hoped he
might be able to prove to me that he was
neither.
We left the house and proceeded along
Stockton street toward Happy Valley. For
ten minutes not word was spoken. Sew
eral times be seemed on the point Of speak
inc, but he as often checked himself.
"Unless may callyou one. / have not
] . friend III California he at length began,
placing his hand upon my shoulder. /
bowed, but made no reply.
'.You do not speak he continued, OBJ
serving my silence. Il am to understand,
/ presume, that you are not to be made an
Exception
10 be frank with you, Jansen,7 / re-
piled, "there is certain mystery about
your movements calculated to give rise to
suspicions anything but favorable
"Ofwhat nature inquired my compan-
ion.
/ "That you arc gambler, and even worse"
| blunty replied.
He smiled as he replied: eyes, yes, !
see, yet the suspicion wrongs me-"
"Make it appear So" | answered, sand
you should not want a friend"
promise that you viii not diyulge what
h may tell you, or attempt by word or act
to thwalt me in the accomplishment Of a.
purpose to which ] have pledged my soul, :"
/ he said, looking me earnestly in the face,
"and you shall have the proof you require"
eff your purpose is not criminal | prom
Use; if otherwise, keep your secret, was
my answer.
"'Tis what you would do, or any other
man worthy of the name"
s.Then promise; here is my hand
ssListen," he resumed, taking my arm,
and walking slowly on, II have twin
sister. We were born in Georgia, and orr
parents were the possessors Of a hundred
slaves, and a plantation large enough to
give all employment. When we were four
teen our father died. AT the ageof 16 my
sister became a convert, during a religious
revival, ana six months after, in the face Of
the determined opposition of mother ran
away with and married young preacher,
to whose eloquenoe the revival owed its or
Iigin. Ny sister did not love the man. Her
feelings for him were religious enthusiasm,
fancy wrought upon by an unnatural In
itiation. Learning they were married, my
good mother sent for them, and they re-
turned to receive her blessing. The plan
tation was placed in charge Of my sisters
husband, and be relinquished the Gospel.
He frequently visited New Orleans, and
other Of the large Southern cities, during
the first year Of his marriage, but the CIR
cumstances excited no suspicion. Nj
To be brief, before two years elapsed, the
large estate left by our father was swept
1 from us, and we were almost bankrupt
i He had induced my mother to mortgage
the plantation, with the view, he said Of
purchasing more negroes to work i, but
the money was squandered, aud the slaves
we had were secretly sold by fives and tens,
until less than dozen remained. When
asked to explain to my mother he had no
excuse to offer. In the midst OF this great
grief, another wife Of Mayhsw-thtt was
the williams name-suddenly made her APP
Ipearance at the plantation. Learning the resi-
dence Of her husband, but knowing nothing
Of his second marriage, she left South Car
linatomeet him. Mypoor sister was heart
broken. MAYHEM, to escape prosecution,
fled from the State. His first wife was
lsent to the mad house, andin thee months
4 nv poor old mother was layed in the church
ward. My grief bowed sistcl-but ! will
not speak Of her. Turning the wreck OF
our property mo money, | started IN pur-
Isnit ~ the scoundrel who had dealt such
slhavoe with our peace. Through dozen zen
! States tracked him, and returned with my
! mission Of vengeance unaccomplIshed.--
) One year ago, by accident, learned he was
lin California. AS soon as | recovered from
!; 4 serious illness under which was labor.
ling. / took passage for this State, | arrived