The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-02-07
THE LOST Son,

A GROUP of flashily- dressed men stood
IA in the sitting-room of Wilson's Ex-
change-then 1854 the principal hotel in
San Francsco-pufling their after breakfast
cigars and engaged in lively conversation,
fully half of which was sustained by one of
the number who, as it appeared, had just
arrived from the diggings.
Has Morrison Flat grown any since /
was there last summer" asked one of the
party.
eyes, great deal" replied the gentle
man from the interior. GA great many
new buildings have been put up, most of
them fire-proof-brick or stone. There are
more miners, and they're doing better than
ever-rich strikes till you can't rest. Dust
is plenty and freely circulated, and the boys
are all doing well when they attend to
business"
"That's good. And how long are you
going to stay with us this time, Tom?"
GA week Or ten days-perhaps fort
night. / left the house in charge of Char
ley Williams, and you know he's one of the
most faithful men in the business"
go, then We'll see good deal of you.
Drop in this afternoon or evening-you
know the way, and will be well treated"
"Thank you, I'll do so with pleasure"
The others having taken their departure,
Tom Redburn took seat in the rear part
of the room, lighted fresh cigar, and
leaned back in his chair with an air of
leisurely enjoyment. He appeared to be
about thirty-five years old, little over
medium height, and strongly built. His
eyes were black and deep set, features pale
and regular, waving hair, heavy beard and
mustache of jet black. He was elegantly
dressed, and sported magnificent diamond
ring and pin, and massive fob-chain, to
which was attached one of fuckers costli-
est watches. His manner was easS. and
courteous--Tom Redburn prided himself
upon his gentlemanly demeanor-but a
little coarseness would occasionally crop
out i'll his conversation, the result Of his
habitual association with rough and reck-
less characters. The expression of his
countenance was pleasing and an unso-
phisticated observer would have taken him
for a gentleman of wealth and liberal tastes,
unincumbered with business cares. But
there were those who, watching him as he
sat there smiling through the wreaths of
blue vapor that curled about his head, COM
pared him to tiger crouching for fatal
spring.
He had not long been seated, when tall,
elderly gentleman, of dignifed but care
worn aspect, approached and accosted
him.
Excuse me, sir, but heard Morrison
Flat mentioned in your conversation a few
minutes ago. Do you reside there?"
eyes sir" replied Tom, rising and pla-
cling chair for the old gentleman. "Be
seated, sir, Can be of any service to you
up that way?"
81 WISH" said the old man, "to obtain
some information, which you can perhaps
furnish me. Do you know a lawyer at
Morrison Flat named Leighton
"Lawyer? Leighton?" said Tom, musing-
~ tiiSh 40 IL
him, go yes you mean Walter Leighton2"
eyes, Walter Leighton. What is he
doing, and what are his circumstances
"Well, he is doing very little good, and
his circumstances are what l would call
Tather precarious. If you have any claim
against him you might as well put it in the
fire, or at least lay it away for good long
SPELL"
" 1t is true, then. Ny poor boy heard
that he had fallen into dissipated course,
and the fact that he has not written home
for more than q year, and the strangely re-
ticent and respondent tone of the last letter
we received, confirmed the report. Still
could not, and cannot yet, believe that