Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-05-03

came more Cain aHu kHctlluS
down, promised God ] would new
er gamble again. asls bas ,ii9Is.l
"Why did you confess to me?'''
asked Mr. Willard. s"You have
procured the means to replace this
sum, and kept the secret3of your
guilt" "ao;dgf bsginen1o ruisd 81
81 know it,, sir! but, without
your pardon and punishment, |
ever should have felt myself a
criminal. I could not look at you.
1t was the secret Of my crime that
stung the deepest" " vY9u;o9 81
s.What do you propose?' asked
Mr.. Willard. oas ror.4 .ssmiz5
~First, / had determined to
confess and implore your pardon.
If, in your generous nature, you
will restore me once more to your
confidence. l will repay you all,
and before the God Of Heaven,
and by the mother | love, | do
most solemnly promise never again
to betray my trust 9vaa. 3sa ;.
osYoul have no desire to gamble
again?a e sasGf l5 sa0 .a3.9sa i
"Oh, no! / am sinking in a pit,
Yohr hand can raise me np-with-
out it lam lost!"sd9 bssss1 eBiI slu
arYou would mot continue IN
crime? ycf hgEo:
"Nop cried Edward, starting to
his feet, Il have, played my last
game. If I am exposed, and my
mother sinks under the blow, the
only tie binding me to earth will
thus, be severed, and nothing will
remain for me but the suicides $
grave" earse1c.e.. ,ssTs..u ,a.e
",you are truly penitent, and | for
give you. Your. crime has been
great, but you have my sympathy
and love. But to guard you from
future danger, you shall hear my
story" "a IikTz8 a4k zlsgsJe9H
| A boylof sixteen, | came to this
great city. / Ireadily procured en-
nlovmnnt. and at, the AGE of otWen-
ty-two | held the responsible posi-
ton you now occupy. But gay
companions proved my ruin
First I was induced to join them
in the social glass, and the attend
ant follies were soon fastened upon
me. I found my salary insuffi-
cient to supply my extravagances,
and 1 entered the gamblers haunt.
| became an expert player, and
for a time fortune seemed to favor
me. I became in a measure, reck-
less-my sensibilities became blum
ted with wine-but possessing re-
gard for the teachings Of my youth,
| often felt the sting of remorse.
At length I was united to one
| had loved from childhood d-one
whose gentle voice and smile of
innocence always made me feel as
if an angel was beside me. For
her sake I resolved to quit my life
of crime. Iididso fora time, and
was supremely happy The wife
l loved so fondly was all | could
desire. Early left friendless, she
seemed to cling to me with all the
fervor of her soul. as,5 s@"s -
Well, l will pass over the first
two years of my welded life, as
my purpose is to present to you
the dark side of the picture. first.
! One evening Twas prevailed up
on to visit one Of my former pla-
ces of resort, and at a late hour re-
turned to my home, my brain heat
ed, my lips parched, and my breath
tainted with the fumes of the wine.
l never can forget the looks my
wife cast upon me, as | entered the
house. Her head was bowed
upon her hands, but hearing my
footsteps, she sprang to my side
ooh, Henry, 1 feared something
terrible had happened. lis the
first time you have been absent at
such an hour, but you are safey'
She threw her arms around
my neck waiting for the accus-
toned kiss. I pressed my lips to
hers, when starting she gazed up
on me for a moment, then with a
look Of surprise and agony, she
bent herhead upon her breast and
burst into tears. isa,o q
sWhy do you weep?" I asked.
AssBecause your are i'll, dear hus-
band, came the sweet response.
: No other words were spoken
then upon the subject. ! tried to