The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-10-30

to his dream, as his suferings appeared t
me to be Of the most acute description.
He stretched out his hand, snd graspin
mine, which he held for some time, while b
strove to overcome his emotions, be q
length said
"Young man, from my heart acquit yol
of e, cry evil intention, and believe yol
from evidence that cannot be called in ques
ton. What you have told comedies will
facts already possess. For some time bacl
the conduct Of Charles gave me serious
cause of uneasiness; but | knew not halt th'
extent Of his excesses, although his requests
for money were incessant. | supplied then
as far as was in my power; for be accompa
MED them with dutifnl Acknowledgements
ard plausible reasons. Until Of late hsd
fulfilled bis every wish; but | found could
no longer comply with prudence. Alas
you have let me At length understand that
the gaming table was the gulf that swal-
lowed up all. | had for some time resolved
to 90 personally and reason with him upon
the folly Of his extravagances; but, unfortu-
nately, delayed it from day to day and weeG
to week. | felt it to be my duty as pa
rent; but my heart shrunk from it. Fatal
delay oh. that ! had done as my duty
him for a few minutes. ~'Had i only gone
even few days before received that fatal
letter that at once reused me from my guilty
supineness," there he drew letter from his
pocket and gave it me,) "he might have
been saved Read it
compiled. 1t was as follows
"WoRrHY FRIESD,-I scarce know how to
communicate the information; but, fear, no
one here will do 90 in so gentle a manner.
Your son Charles, | am grieved to say, has
not been acting As could have wished for
this some time back. One of the partners
called here this morning to inquire after
him. as he had absconded from their service
on account Of some irregularity that had
been discovered in bis cash entries, and
made me afraid, by his manner, that there
might be something worse. Do, for your
own and his sake, come to town as quickly
as possible. In -he meantime, l shall do
all in my power to avert any evil that may
threaten. .-Adieu "JoHN WALKER"
81 was on my way" he proceeded, "to
save my poor Charles from shame, had even
the woIkhouse been my only refuge at the
close Of my days. Alas as he told in his
dream, fear be bad forfeited his fe by that
fatal act, forgery, for which there is no par
don with man. If SO, the present dispense
ton Is one Of mercy, for which bless His
name, who in all things dOeth right"
Ny heart ached for the pious old man.
We left the room, be leaning upon my arm.
The surgeon and parent both pronounced
me innocent of the young mans death.
Those who still remained in the house, more
particularly the hostess, appeared disap-
pointed, and did not scruple to hint their
doubts. Until the coroner's inquest sat,
which was in the afternoon, the father of
the stranger never left my side, but seemed
to take melancholy pleasure in conveIsing
about his son. The jury, after a patient in
vestigation, returned their verdict, "Died by
the visitation Of God"
| Immediately bade farewell to the sur
geon and the parent of the young man, aud
proceeded for Liverpool, musing upon NV
strange destiny. 1t appeared to me that
was haunted by some fatality, which
plunged me constantly into misfortune. |
rejoced that | was on the point of leaving
Britain, and hoped that in America |
should be freed from my bad fortune.
When | arrived in Liverpool found the
packet on tie eve Of sailing; and, with all
expedition, | made everything ready and
went on board. We were to sail with the
morning tide. There were q good many
passengers; but all Of them appeared to be
everyday personages-all less or more stu
dious about their own comforts. After an
agreeable voyage Of five weeks, We arrived
safe, and all in coed health, in Charleston.
In few months / completed our arrange
ments satisfactorily, and began to make
preparations for my return to England
again. A circumstance, however, occurred,
which overturned all my plans for a time,
and gave a new turn to my thoughts. Was
it possible that, after the way 10 which
had been cast of before By one Of the be-
witchng sex, could ever do more than look
upon them again with indifference? | did
not hate or shun their company, but feel
ing pretty much akin to contempt, often
stole over me as | recollected my old injury.
| could feel the sensation at times give way
for lew hours in the company Of some fe-
males, and again return with redoubleJ
force upon the slightest occasion, such as a
single word or look. | was prejudicej, and
resolved not again to submit to the power
Of the sex. Bat vain are the resolves Of
man. This continued struggle, | really be-
lieve, was the reason Of my again falling
more violently in love than ever, and that,
too, against nv own will. When | strOVe
to discover faults, | only found perfections.
had board ed in the house of a widow
lady who had three daughters, none Of them
exceeding twelve years OF age. A governeSs,
one Of the sweetest creatures that | had ever
seen, or shall ever see again, had the charge
Of them. On the second day after my arri-
val, | retired TO my apartment, overcome
by heat and fatigue. lay listlessly think
ing Uf Auld Reekie, the mysterious murder,
and all the strange occurrences of my past
life. My attention vas awakened by q
voice the sweetest had ever heard. | list
ened in rapture. 1t was only few notes,
as the singer was trying the pitch Of her
voice, and soon ceased. | was wondering
which Of the family it could be who sang so
well, when heard one Of the daughters say /,
DO, governess, sing me one song, and l
will be a good girl all tomorrow. Pray
do - | became all attention-again The
voice fell upon my ear. 1t was low and
plaintive-the air was familiar TO me-my
whole soul became entranced-the tear-drOp
swan in my eyes-it was one Of Scotland's
sweetest dItties-"The Broom O. the Cow
denknowes." No one who has not heard
unexpected, in a foreign land the songs be
loved in his youth, can appreciate the thrill
of pleasing ecstacy that carries the mind, as
it were, out OF the body, when the ears
catch the wei! known sounds.
Next day was all anxiety to see the in
dividuaI who had so fascinated me the even
ing before. found her all that my lmagin-
alton had pictured her. A new feeling pos
sessed me. Ia vain l called pride to my
add could not drive her from my
thoughts. Sleeping or waking, her voice
anG form were ever present. left the town
for time TO free myself from these unwel-
come feelings, pleasing as they were. felt
angry at myself for narboring them; but al
nv endeavors were van-go where would
was with my Mary on the Cowdenknowes
know not how it was. had loved with
more ardor in my first passion, and been
more the victim Of impulse; dreamy sen
satiOn occupied my mind, and my whole
existence seemed concentrated IN her alone