Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-11-14

1t was always in the street or on tho stairway.
He never invited me to his room, or accepted
an invitation to mine. He visited me once
or twice ut my office, and then remained less
than five minutes. How he spent his time l
did not inquire. He was a mystery. 1 spoke
OF him to Smith one day. Strange TO say,
that gentleman had never seen him, but from
my description of him, ventured the opinion
that he was either gambler or genteel pick
pocket. | was reluctantly forced to the con-
clusfon that Smith was right, 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 venerable
looking friend, who was fearfully averse to all
mysteries.
Occasion called me to my room one even
ing at an earlier hour than usual. l heard
soft rap at my door, and opening it, found
Janson standing in the entry.
'sCome in, JanSoD," | exclaimed throwing
open the door.
"Would you not prefer taking walk 2" he
inquired. ssThe night is beautiful
81 believe not to night" | replied, sssome
other time.''
1 was piqued that he should persist in re-
naming outside the door.
81 should be much pleased to have you,"
he rejoined. / have few words to say to you
| in justice 10 myself, and"
enough | interrupted 81 will go.' /
felt assured he desired to tell me something
of himself, and was all anxiety to hear it.
1t was unpleasant TO think him pickpocket
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. Several
times he seemed on the point of speaking, but
he as often checked himself.
s'Unless may call you one, have not a
4.
placing his hand upon my shoulder. l bowed,
but made no reply.
.iou do not speak" ;" he replied, observing
my silence. al am to understand, presume
that you are not TO be made an exception 2''
''To be frank with you, Janson,'' replied
.'there is certain mystery about your move
ments calculated to give rise to suspicious
anything but favorable.''
'sOf what nature ?'' asked my companion.
"That you are gambler, or even worse,' |
buntly replied.
He smiled as he replied
s'Yes, yes, 1 see yet the suspicion wrongs
me.''
ssMake it appear so,'' answered, ssand you
shall not want friend"
s.Promise me that you will not divulge what
| may tell you, or attempt by word action
TO thwart me in the accomplishment of a pur-
pose to which have pledged my soul,'' he
said, looking me earnestly in the face, sand
1ou SHaIi pTOOl Ou require.
elf your purpose is not criminal, promise;
if otherwise, keep your secrets was my an
swer.
ss'Tis what you would do, or any other man
worth of the name.''
''Then promise here is my hand.'
''Listen," he resumed, taking my arm and
walking slowly on. 81 have a twin sister.
We were born in Georgia, and our parents were
the possessors of a hundred slaves and plan
tation large enough TO give all employment.
When we were fourteen our father died. At
the age of sixteen, my sister became a convert
during religious revival, and six months af-
ter, in the face of the determined opposition
OF my mother, ran away and married young
preacher, to whose eIoquence the revival ow-
ed its origin. My sister did not love the man.
Her feeling for him was a eligiOuS enthus-
asm-a fancy wrought upon her by an unnatu-
raj infatuation. Learning that they were mar
ried, my good mother sent for them, and they
returned TO receive her blessing. The plan
tation was placed in charge of my sisters hns-
band, and he relinquished the gospel. He
frequently visited New Orleans, and other of
the large Southern cities, during the first year
of his marriage, but the circumstance excited
no suspicion.
..To be brief, before two years elapsed, the
large estate owned by my father was swept
from us, and We were almost bankrupt. He
had induced my mother to mortgage the plan
taton, with the view, he said, of purchasing |
more negroes to work it, but the money was |
squandered, ond the slaves he secretly sold, |
by fives and tens, till less than a dozen re-
mained. When asked TO explain by my moth |
er, he had no excuse to offer. In the midst of |
this great grief, another wife of Ma, hew-that |
was the villains name-suddenly made her ap- |
pearance at the plantation. Learning the res |
idence of her husband, but not knowing of |
his second marriage, she had left South Caro-
lima to meet him. My poor sister was heart |
broker. Mayhem, to escape prosecution, fed /
from the State. His first wife was sent TO the |
mad house, and in three months my poor old |
mother was laid in the churchyard. My grief |
bowed sister-but | will not speak OF her. |
Turning the wreck of our property into money, |
L started in pursuit OF the scoundrel who had |
dealt such a havoc with our peace. Through |
a dozen States tracked him, and returned |
with my mission of vengeance unaccomplished |
One year ago by accident, learned he was in |
California. As soon as | recovered from Sc
rious illness under which I was laboring, ! |
took passage for this State. l arrived six
months ago.
oHe is here, for have seen him, and he
cannot escape me now He is even in this
city but he little dreams that the pistol is |
shotted to send him to the great reckoning. |
have made few acquantances here, having |
no wish to implicate others in a work of blood |
which must be mine alone. Last night L fol-
lowed him from the Ell Dorado. where he
spends most of his time, to house on Powell |
street. He has visited it frequently OF late, |
and to-day understand that he is paying his /
addresses to a widow lady residing there. But
he will not marry her, for another week shall
not find him alive! You now know all. Have |
one friend in California ~
To see so much spirit, SO much determina-
tion, so much manhood exhibited by beard
less boy, surprised me beyond expression. |
offered the brave little fellow my hand, and /
he felt that he was answered. In silence We /