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


ing himself OF his services.
This resolution was, however, soon shaken
for on returning to his lodgings, he found a
letter from home, which apprlsed him OF his
fathers sudden and dangerous illness, and OF his
anxious wish to once moIe behold him ere he
brealhed his last. THIS mournful intelligence
at first overpowered him, for the passion for
gambling had moi yet taken such hold of him,
as entirely to eradicate his nobIer feelings, but
he soon became ahve to the necessity OF ma
king immediate preparations for bis departure,
and by far the most important of these, was the
means OF procuring The necessary sum of money
to defray hls travelling expenses. His credit
had lately sent him to deiray his current exPeD-
ses, bad been rsked aud lost however re!uc-
tantly, he was compelled, in this emergency,
TO place himself under a pecunary obligation
TO the man whom he most feared and despised.
No Tune was TO be lost, and notwithstanding the
lateness of the hour, he repaired forthwith TO
on the point Of retiring for the night.
Contrary TO young Baldwn's expectations,
he appeared to repress with difficulty his feel
Ings at the news of his benefactor's precarious
and almost hopeless state, which tended not a
little to reinstate him in his good opinion. He
announced with less reluctance han he had an
ticlPated, the purpose OF his visit.
The money was promised TO be sent to him
at an early hour the next morning, on Two con-
ditions viz, that whenever, IN future, he should
have occasion for further supplies, he would
apply to no one else but to him, anG that he
would promise to risk his money no where else
but at his house.
''Can it be possible" cried young Baldwin.
sthat you are--"
81 forgot" said the Colonel, hastily inter
rupting him, 'to impose the sirictest secrecy
a small but select company assemble at this
house four times a week. Persons" continued
he, while his countenance for the moment seem
ed to change its usual dogged expression 10 thai
OF animation and enthusiasm, s'wilIing TO risk
thousands on the turn OF a die, such as ought to
be the associates of young man with your her.
editary wealth, and not the low and grovellng
irequenters of dlsreputable heils."
Baldwin had nc choice, for there was no one
else from whom he could obtain the money, and
he was, therefore, obliged to subscribe to the
Colonel's conditions Before the close of the
following day he was far advanced on his jour
ney, which he pursued with such rapidiiy that
teTna mansion. From an old and faithful ser
want who had fastened to meet him, he learned
that he was barely in ;ime TO close his father.
eyes for he was in the agonies of death. A ray
of momentary JOY appeared to brighten his faith,
er's countrnancc as he approached hun and
he bathed with Gears OF flial affection the
withered hand stretched out TO meet him.
II have but a few moments to live, my dear
ly loved lonly sou," said he in faint and from
excess OF weakness, almost inaudbe voice
while he was raised on his pillow by Colonel
Prussng, whom Robert now perceived in his
dying fathers apartment, for the frs
tune, ''In my worthy and disinteresed frienc
in whose arms am expiring, you will fnd a
father to replace me, and in all things, my
son, be guided by his advice"
The exertion of plonouncing these few word
proved too much for him, he fell senseless on hi
couch, and in a few moments ceased 10 breatI e
Roberts grief was such, that many hour;
elapsed before he became conscious of what wa
passing around him; he at length awoke as i
from painful dream, and for the first time
remarked kneeIng in frrvent prayer by hi
side, the dear play-felow of his boyhood.
Her face was pale, her luxuriant tresses hune
loosely over her snow-white shoulders, while
the tears Of regret for departed worth tricklet
down her cheek. The heart OF the afflicted
bounds with gratitude, even wheni it meets will
the sympathy of stranger by what feeling
then must the lover be aciuated, when soothed
in the hour of sorrow, by her whom he adores
Robert imprinted on her noble forehead kiS
of affection and gratitude while she gently
pressed his hand, endeavoring to afford hin
consolation by telling him all she could of the
last hours of his departed father. The worlc
no longer appeared to him barren and solitary
waste, and though bennington the bed on which
was extended the corpse Of his dearest and bes
friend, Robert Baldwin INDUCED in thoughts o
future bliss, even long after Constance hac
torn herself away from him TO weep in private
her tears of mingled grief and joy.
The only indication of feeling evinced BY
Col. Prussing uIing this heartrending scene