The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-11-27

! bowed with deferential acquiescence. liz
, ladyship proceeded, and 7. in substance, r,
ceived the following Information
Mr.. Charles Merton, during the few month
which had elapsed, had very literally falle
amongst thieves A passion for gamblin
seemed to have taken entire possession /
his being and almost every day, as well q
night of his haggard, feversh life, was sper
at play A run Of i'll luck, according to hi
own belief-but in truth run Of downright
robbery-had set in against him, and he ha
not only dissipated all The ready none
which he had inherited and the large sum
which the foolish indulgence of his lad
mother had supplied him, but had involve,
himself in bonds, bills and other obligations
to frightful amount. The principal agen
IN effectlng this rhin was one Sanford,
man of fashionable and dashing exterior
and the presiding spirit of the desperadoe
whom was commissioned to hunt out
Strange to say Mr. Merton had the hlindes
reliance upon this mans honor; and ever
now--tricked, despoiled as he had been b,
him and his gang-relied on his counsel ant
assistance for his escape from the desperat,
position in which he was involved. TIL,
Everton estates had passed in default of male
issue, to distant relative of the late lord
so that ruin, absolute and irredeemable
stared both the wretched dupe and his rela
tives In the face. Lady Everton's jointurt
was not a very large one, and her son hat
been permitted to squander sums which
should have been devoted to the discharge
of claims which were now pressing harshly
against her.
| listened with the deepest interest tc
Lady Everton's narrative. Repeatedly during
the course of it, as she accidentally alluded
to the manner and appearance of Sanford
who had been introduced by Mr.. Merton to
his mother and sister, a suspicion, which the
police papers had first awakened, that the
gentleman in question was an old acquain.
tance of mine, and one, moreover, whose
favors was extremely desirous to return in
kind, flashed with increased conviction
across my mind. This surmise I, of course
kept to myseif-and after emphatically eau.
tioning the ladies' to keep our proceedings a
profound secret from Mr.. Merton. took nv
leave, amply provided with the resources,
requisite for carrying into effect the scheme
| had resolved upon. also arranged that,
instead ofwaiting personally on her ladyship
which might excite observation and suspi-
cion, should report my progress by letter
through the post Ie g o.
Tfit should be he 7 thought I, as / emerg
ed into tho street The bare supposition
had sent the blood through my veins with
furious violence. If this Sanford be-, as I
suspect, that villain Carbon, it will indeed
be triumph-victory Lady Ever:on need
not, in that case seek to animate my zeal by
promise of money recompense. A blghted
existence, young and gentle wife by his
means cast down from opulence, to sordid
beggary, would stimulate the dullest craven
that ever crawled the earth to energy and
action. Pray Heaven my suspicious may
prove correct and then, oh my enemy, look
well to yourself, for the avenger is at your
heels -
Sanford, had been instructed, was usu-
ally present at the Italian opera durin. the
ballet the box he generally occupied was
designated in the memoranda of the police !;
and | saw by the bills that very successful
piece was to be performed that evening,
aid | determined on being present. en-.
tered the house at ten o'clock, just after the
commencement Of the ballet. and looked
around. The box in which was instructed
to see my man was empty. The momentary
disappointment was soon repaid Five min
utes had not elapsed, when Carbon, looking
more insolensly triumphant than ever, en-.
tered arm and arm with pale, aristocratic
looking young man, whom had no difficult
ty, from his striking resemblance to por-
trait in Lady Everton's drawing room in
ucCtuIItS " oc MeTtOn.i DHffg {TH ttlfti y. q
My course Of action was at once deter.
mined upon. Pausing only to master the
emotion which tke sight of the glittering
reptile in whose poisonous folds had been
involved and crushed inspired, l passed to
the opposite side Of the house, and boldly
entered the box. Cardon's back was to-
wards me, and | tapped him lightly on the
shoulder. He turned quickly round--and
il q basalisk had confronted him, he could
scarcely have exhibited greater surprise
Ny aspect, nevertheless, was studiousiy
conciliatory, and my outstretched hand
seemed to invite a renewal of our old friend
ship. 4, af si.s ist,5I 81
Waters ! he at last stammered, feebly
accepting my preferred grasp-'who would
have thought Of meeting you here 2 fal
Not you, certainly. since you stare at an
old friend as if he we've some fiightGll goblin
about to swallow yon. Really '9dT a.
Hush let.us speak together in the lobby.
An old friend, he added, in answer to Mr..
Merton's surprised stare We will return in
an instant
well, what Is all this, Waters p said Car
don, recovering bis wonted sang froid the
instant We were alone. y understood yor
had retired from amongst us were in fac
what shall say ?
'Ruined--doneup !! Nobody should know
that better than you.'
/ tMv5 5pood fellow. vou do not imagine, :