Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-02-15


even more than my father-a desidera
tane greatly to be desired After many
tears and entreaties she consented to m,
proposals, and left her at her fathers
where she was to remain until | return
ed, little dreaming that | should never
see her again, That was four years ago
but how plainly | can remember hel
toars--her pleading look when she founc
that | was fully determined to CO.
Every expression of her features at tha
time is indellibly impressed upon my
heart, and will never be effaced With
hopeful anticipation came to this coun.
try, expecting to return in one year, bu
o, how disappointed
There's no use in thinking of what
followed. | worked day and night, sub.
sisted on the coarsest diet, and slept or
the cold damp earth, with nothing but
the broad starry canopy of heaven for q
covering; yet with all this, | could not
earn enough to pay my beard bill
" A few weeks after my arrival / was
taken sick, and for one year, lived, Goo
only knows how. The dogs at home
Jared better than | did. Finally | re-
covered my health, but my garments
we're reduced to rags, and money, / lad
none. In this condition | worked my
way back into the country, and com
menccd operation in the mines. Days,
weeks, months and years continued to
labor incessantly, but gained nothing
above scanty subsistence. In this
manner | became discouraged, and many
dark thoughts entered my head. Occa-
'sionally | would hear from home, and
those letters were far more precious to
me than gold. o, that had wings and
could fly, how soon | would return
&" In this manner | lived till about two
weeks ago, when l CHANGED to find a
lump of gold sufficient in value to take
me home. | did not pause to consider,
but dropping tools, came directly to this
place, calculating to take the first steamer
for New York. Unfortunately | found
there would be no chance of leaving I'M
der ten days. Last night, while sitting
in the bar room was robbed. had ac-
cidently fallen asleep on bench, and in
that condition my money was taken from
me. | awoke as the thief was leaving
my side, and accused him Of the theft.
but he only drew a revolver, and assert
ed that if | repeated the words again, he
would blow my brains out knew the
man to be professional gambler, and !
knew where he lodged There was no
law which could be brought to bear in
vindication Of my rights, and | resolved
to avenge myself This night he dies
Tomorrow there will be two less. O,
Mary! Mary forgive me, and may God
bless you!"
Having given utterance to these words
in scarce audible tone, be arose, wrapped
an old shawl round his shoulders, extin-
guished the lamp, and passed from the
chamber.
A few moments thereafter, he was
walking briskly along through dark
street in the direction Of large hotel,
before which be paused and gazed earn
estly around him. 1t was nearly mid
night, yet the streets, hotels, saloons and
gambling bells were thronged with stran-
gers, as a steamer had that evening land
cd large pile of passengers.
The man to whom we allude, did not
pause long but quietly entered the hotel,
and without apparently noticing any per-
son, though the office was crowded with
customers and loungers, he assembled the
stairs, with the air Of one familiar with
the locality.
The moment, however, that he reached
the landing above, he halted, gazed along
the narrow hall, and listened attentiyely.
Then drawing his cloak closely around
him, he crept cautiously forward.
Again he paused this time in front Of
a door, and he held his car close to \
crevice. In this position he could hear
the labored breathing Of person appa-
rently asleep, and carefully he tried the
door. Itopeped, and be stepped into the
apartment. Every object was shrouded
in total darkness, yet the man moved
forward with a Bowie-knife grasped in
his hand.
He stood by the side Of the bed, yet
not muscle moved, or a nerve shook.
His lips were compressed, his teeth set,
and with firm grasp he held the MUIR
derous weapon
Cautiously be moved dark lantern
from his pocket, and turmoil so as to af,
ford him the means Of making a fatal
stroke. As the light rested upon the
features of the sleeper, he started back.
The movement awakened the intended
victim, who gazed wildly upon the in
truder.
The knife fell from the woulj-be as
sassin's hand, aud be exclaimed:
Ny God Mary! you here !"
a piercing scream was the response,
when sprioging from the bed, the two
were clasped in each others arms.
This was fortunate as well as an un
expected meeting, for it not only saved
the lives of two persons, but reunited
husband and wife, after an absence of
four years
She had despaired Of bis return, and
fearing the worst, had come to seek him,
bringing with her sufficient money to
carry them both back to New York.
The first steamer that sailed from San
Francisco. thereafter, carried with her
two very happy persons--WARREs AND
MARY ISGERsoL.
Err Fair and honest dealings seldom
fail TO bring their due reward.