The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-02-14

lie is known as "gentleman Tom"
Alice and herfather looked at each Other
in dismay. The strangers testimony in
regard to Toms probity had little weight
with them. They could not conceive of an
honorable gambler.
Just then the clerk entered and handed
MIR. Goldbrook q letter and a package OF
newspapers. The letter was from Tom,
and very brief. 1t referred to the papers
for tidings of Walter, and promised definite
news of Thomas Goldbrook in short time.
The papers were the Morrison Flat Enquir-
er and Argus, in which were marked para
graphs conveying more encouraging tidings
of Walter Leighton than they had dared to
hope for.
eff he is gambler" said Alice, che
has kept his word so far. But if Walter
had fallen so low as. he represented tofather
how has he become SO suddenly prosperous
and why dc. the papers speak so highly of
him? There is some mystery about this.
Father we had better go to Morrison Flat
immediately"
Tho next mail brought two letters from
Walter. They were pcnitent, but manly
and hopeful. They alluded, however, only
in general terms to his late wretched con-
dition and present flattering prospects, but
furnished no elucidation of the mystery
which perplexed Alice. The letter to Mr..
Goldbrook had this postscript:
"P. S. Mr.. Redburn wishes me to request
you, and join him in so doing, to defer
your intended visit to this place until YOU
have definite information from him in re-
gard to your son, which he promises will be
very soon. l am not in his councils in re-
gard to this matter, but have great faith
in his discretion"
Alice pondered long over the postscript
AT length an idea struck her, but she kept
it to herself, although it grew almost to a
conviction. "Wo will still trust him
father" she said, and Mr.. Goldbrook as
sented.
A purchaser was soon found for
Tom Redburns establishment, and he pro-
ceeded at once to close his business. He
had been very fortunate, and had invested
large sums Of money in San Francisco
property and in hydraulic mines. The
cash in his various "banks" at closing
amounted to near hundred thousand dol
lars. According to all precedents, he
ought to have devoted his building to the
uses ofa mission, or an asylum for decay
ed gamblers and drunkards, but his moral
and religious training had been SO long
neglected that he never thought of what
he should have done.
Walter Leighton had rogained his old
firmness of port and freshness of appear
ance, and had become so accustomed to his
new circumstances as to be perfectly at
his ease in every society. His business in
creased 80 rapidly that his energies were
taxed to keep pace with it, His "luck"
was staple subject of conversation, and
the more it was talked about the greater it
grew. Itwas then that Mr.. Goldbrook re-
ceyed a brief note from Tom Redburn, in
viting him and his daughter to meet Walter
Leighton and Thomas Goldbrook at the
American Hotel in Morrison Flat, "as
soon, said the note, Gas you can come"
Two days, thereafter, they were whirled
by thekage to the door of the hotel where
they were received with great polteness by
Tom Redburn in person, and escorted to
the apartment he had caused to be especi-
ally prepared for their reception. "And
now," said he, "while you brush off the
dust will fetch the truant and the prodi-
gal."
Presently he returned ushering in Wal
ter Leighton. The meeting was a very
affecting and affectionate one. Tom Red
burn doubtless he had no right to look on)
envied Walter Leighton when Alice encir-
cled his neck with her arms and pressed her
lips to his. In spite of the stern stoicism
in which he had schooled himself for many
years, some tears were wrung from him by
the scene, though he afterward humorously
described it as triangular passage-at-
arms"
"But you promised, Mr.. Rodburn," said
Mr.. Goldbrook interrupting the billing and
cooling of the remated turtle. doves, "to
bring my son-Thomas, where is he |"
"Father," said Tom Rcdburn, dropping
on one knee and bending his head rever-
emily, "if you can receive me such as l am
and forgive me for tho years of sorrow l
have caused you, / am your son, Thomas
Goldbrook.
"Come to my heart, my dear boy p
cried the old gentleman. "For whatever