Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-07-10
i Desperate Chance,
Concluded.
CHAPTER II.
BY CHARLES PORTER SUMNER.


nv uncle had resigned the manage
ment of the property I had inherited
into my own hands, and had never
questioned me about it. deeming, per
haps, that control would qualify me
to guard greater interests when they
should come under my management
Hence it was possible for me.to stake
and lose it as had done, and had
that been the extent of my folly ]
could have concealed it and borne II
with equanimity. But besides this
enormous loss, l had given bonds for
several other sums, making in the ag-
gregate an amount l was utter y una
Bic to pay. Ny creditors, the game
ster, urged, as I have no doubt now
by Arthur, pressed for settlement
and at last, to my horror and amaze
ment, threatened to expose me to my
uncle!
That such'a catastrophe was certain
to result. in my complete ruin, I was
only too well aware. Jason Wilmer
would have trusted a murderer sooner
than a gambler, and had he deemed
his right hand capable of stalking
money on game of chance he would
have cut the arm off at his shoulder.
Let him once suspect that had done
this fearful thing and he would dis
inherit and discard me without pity
My terror and agony when | contem-
plated such a prospect, became over,
whelming, and in the depth Of my
despair the tempter again found me
I cannot detail the artful cunning
with which he instilled the poison
into my mind, nor do 1 recollect how
and when first understood the dia,
bolical design he broached to me. II
was in the midst OF my most utter
desperation, and Tor a long time
could not clearly comprehend bis
meaning. But suddenly it burst
clear and full upon me, and stood
aghast! It was Lis deliberate propo-
sition that I should rob my uncle,
Jason Wilmer!
When first l thoroughly realized
what he said, Indignantly and to-
tally refused, and with every mari;
Of loathing and Indignation. I knew
not with whom l Lad 10 deal, his in
fernal patience never deserted him
and he deliberately began to combat
that resolution with a cunning casn-
istry worthy of the most righteou,
cause. He had a faithful ard potent
ally, too, in Helena, and, taking carr
to word their arguments so as not to
alarm me at the first, they slowly un-
dermined my opposition, which grew
weaker with their persinacity, until
they triumphed once again and won
me to their purpose. am again at
loss to describe their sophistry. What
of their arguments I can recall seem
30 weak and puerile now that I stand
amazed at the thought Of having ever
listened, much less succumbed, to
them. Selfshness was made 10 ap-
pear virtue by the suggestion that
I would thus, undoubtedly, relieve
my own desperate condition. The
hackneyed reasoning that he wasrich
and would not miss the sum I must
take; that all would one day be my
own, and that there was really NO
harm in thus anticipating my inheri-
tance; that if did not I would be
exposed and lose that inheritance I;
all, all Of which We're insinuated into
my bewildered mind with fearful
ingenuity that won its way in spite
of me, and at last reluctantly con-
sented to plunder my benefactor 1t
is an old story, but I am sure that no
criminal was ever persuaded into
guilt with more crafty skill, or by
such clever tempters as myself.
My acquiescence once obtained
they gave me no time to deliberate,
but arranged my plan of action for
me, and pushed me on to its accom-
plishment without delay. From the
first it was decided that the robbery
should be committed as an ordinary
burglary. This course they convinc-
e1 me would be more certain to avert
suspicion from myself. for, though
could readily have obtained the mon
ey by abstrac,ing it from the large
sums which daily passed through my
hands in tee counting-house, its loss
in this manner would inevitably be
traced to me; whereas no one could
possibly suspect me of committing a
burglary, as all the world was aware
how much l was trusted. Besides,
had accidentally mentioned not long
before that my uncle kept a much
larger sum than l required in his
sleeping room, and they convinced M"
that the possession of this wonld l".
more convenient for me, as we'll as
easier to obtain. than any other It
is certain that they found an excnsr
and reason for everything; their
satanic foresight was neve at fault
If man meditates crime. Lucifer
at once offers him the opportunity,
and this fatally convenient occasion
presented itself to me at this very
crisis when it alone was wanting to
d .cide my course. Jason Wilmer Was
suddenly called away On business,
and went out Of town at moments
notice, leaving word that he would
not be able to return for several DAYS.
When | communicated this intelli-
gence to De Chargny and Helena,
they vehemently urged me to hesitate
no longer. In my uncle's absence
there was not the slightest danger in
the enterprise. I need not be at the
trouble Of breaking into his room
from the outside of the house. Hav
Ing entered it in the usual way, 60
ing from my own chamber to his after
ali the mansion had retired to rest, l
could break pane of glass, unfasten
the bolts Of the window, and arrange
everything with the appearance it
would naturally wear if burglary had
taken place. This could be done with
more ease isnd less noise than was