Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-04-12
a FATAL MISTAKE.

There dwelt in California, some years ago,
three friends, wild fellows enough. who had
seemingly linked their fortunes for the bet
ter or worse, anu who, whatsoever their
luck, were constantly in each others com
pany.
These yonng men were Charles Chester.
Harry Bray, and Edward Warren. They
were more brotherly than many brothers,
more akin than many kinsmen True to
each other, even when women and money
We're between them. Damon and PythiaS
with twin Damon added Tor long time
they had been very poor; at last fortune
favored them. Each had a certain sum, by
no means contemplate, slowed away in the
leathern belt he wore about his waist. Each
carried a gold watch, and each wore suit
of clothes supposed By himself to be the
latest style and choicest fashion. Moreover
their revolvers were perfect; silver mount
ed, and rejoicing in a multiplicity of bar
rels; for without these it would be quite
impossible to maintain position in this
quarter of the world in any society.
How they came by these possessions We
will not inquire too particularly. They were
neither burglars nor highwaymen, but dice
and betting may have helped them to the
winning of their fortunes They were not
over scrupulous, but wonld have knocked
any man down who neglected to address
,ham as gentlemen, and used those wonder
Il. revolvers promptly on any stranger"
WHO objected to drink with them, and con
seluently, stood rather high in the commu-
ui,y Certainly, in their conduct to each
other they we're faultlessly honored and
miraculouSly generous.
One day, soon after luck had come TO
IL best. letter directed in tremulous
handed to that ,.e,nber of the trio in the
Presence of the othe- two. The young fel-
l9w seized it eagerly, tore it open, read 1t
through, aud. tearing of his belt, spread
It contents before him upon the table and
counted it over Having done so, he burst
into tears, and very unwisely and profound
is cursed himself for eItraragance, and re-
GueS;eG for himself all sorts of uncomforta-
be things here and hereafter, proceeding
which seems TO relieve some men extremely,
though why il would puzzle the unenIight-
eaed 10 declare The cause OF all this, as
his comrades soon discovered, was that his
mother had written to bim from her little
farm in Southern State, to Uellhim dole
tul tale of sickness, death among the stock,
etc. and a final crash. 4 mortgage was al
l. I ! \
II impossible to meet it, they would be sold
out and left homeless IN their age. 1t
will Kill your father, wrote the mother,
and will die with him.
l did it all, - said the young fellow. sob
bIng openly My debts and my wild ways
encumbered them at first. and now look.
And be pointed to the gold upon the ia
be, and began his profane litany again. The
mortgage was three thousand dollars, and be
had but two thousand.
rs that all p cried Ned Warren, haul
ing at his belt.
Good Heaven What does he take NE
for?'' cried Harry BRAY, furiously Five
hundred apiece and the expenses ofthe jour
ney are about the figure. There, go TO the
old folks. Well see about your horse while
you pack your bag.
This set the Other oath again but in a
joyful style this time. They were tramps
and bricks, and by everything he could think
Of he'd do for them if there were any need
Of H.
'He'd pay them back if he lived, he'd
ka' Il ~ IL. II o-r-
sobs again, at which they left him to recov-
er, returned with horse and well l-flled
poke. flask, and saw him set forth upon
his mission as though the ''old folks" had
been their old folks also
They waited for news from him, but none