The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-02-07
No. 6.

where he stops. l reckon he's there noW.n
Tom called boy and sent him after
Leighton, who soon put in an appearance.
lie was quite young-not more than twenty
seven or eight-and but for the marks Of
dissipation noble-looking. He was clad in
a seedy suit which looked all the worse be-
cause it was originally of fine texture and
genteel cut; his hat was the traditional
shocking bad'' one, and his naked toes
protruded from his boots his shirt had
long cut the laundresses acquaintance,
and it's collar was guiltless of q tie He ap-
peared to feel his degradation painfully,
but it was unnoticed by the people he met
they were accustomed to the spectacle
he was not
Tom Redburn greeted him cordially.
" want too see you privately, Walter"
said he. "Let us go up to my room. You
look shaky and blue about the gills. Shall
mix you something's"
Nothing, I thank you," replied Leigh
ton, as much to Toms satisfaction as sur
prise.
When the key had been turned on their
privacy, Tom said
" Walter, I've been considerably aston
ished within the last few days, but not
more so than by your declining to drink
just now. How long has this been going
on?' =
/" For about a week." said Walter.
And what has brought it about?"
will tell you if you promise not to
ridicule my sentimentalism."
"Ridicule it no indeed | Why, Walter,
you don't know me, old fellow. I've hard
ly begun to know myself, in fact. You'd
hardly believe, now, that only three days
ago was overcome with sentiment until |
whimpered like a schoolgirl. Go on, if you
please"
"Well, the first thing that checked me
was dream of my mother. She seemed
to gaze upon me with look of mingled
pity and reproach. At last she said, "Wal-
ter, tits time to rise" | awoke, and lay
awake till daylight thinking over my dream
" 1t is time to RISE" l repeated to myself
when l got up and put on my clothes
and though my stomach craved its usual
stimulus did not go after it. I suffered
much from nervousness during the day but
Dick Sampson prepared me strong decoc-
ton of Chill pepper, which soothed my
nerves and stimulated my appetite so that
was able to eat little. had some ter
rible dreams that night, but l dreamed
that my mother came to me again, smiling,
and said, "Walter, go onr'
"The next was day of torment but nv
physical sufferings were trifling compared
to my mental agony. / was comparatively
sober. The glamour with which liquor had
shrouded my senses was dispelled, and /
could see myself the degraded wretched
being was and ANA miserable sot, the
butt of disreputable persons, the scorn of
respectable people, depending on the bounty
of the coarse and illiterate miner for shell
ter and place to lay my head hardly
know how refrained from laying violent
hands on myself; believe Dick Sampson
feared some such thing, for he staid with
me all day, and watched me closely. The
night brought me some refreshing slumber
and in my dreams dear friend bent over
me, kissed me, and spoke words of for
giveness and encouragement. have ever
since been growing stronger in mind and
body"
81 can tell you" interrupted Tom, "the
name of the angel of your dreams-Alice
Goldbrook"
"How do you know that P''
81 have seen her, and talked with her."
"When? where ?''
"a few days ago, in San Francisco. She
and her father have come to look after you,
and truant son and brother who ran away
from paternal discipline many years ago."
"Good God 70 exclaimed Walter, shrink
ing back into his chair.
"The old gentleman" continued Tom.
"would have come up here Immediately to
visit you, but persuaded him to remain at
the Bay until he heard from me again"
80, bless you for that, Tom |" exclaimed
Walter, springing from his seat "they
must not see me. l will hide myself in
some remote place, where they will not hear
Of me again"
"Not so fast old fellow" replied Tom
pushing him back into his seat; 81 have
promised that they shall see you soon, and
always keep my word. Don't interrupt
me. OF course, I intend that they shall
see you only under favorable circumstances.
They don't know the worst perhaps, but
they know enough, and they viii forgive
all. They will not wait long to see you.