The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-12-02
When the twilight shadow began to

brightness of his clear honest eyes. His
downward glance fell on the ring his
mother had placed on his finger while
bidding him goodbye. Without paus-
ing for thought he drew it od. and as
the waning light sunset stole through
the window it revealed this Inscription,
engraved upon the inside: God bless
you" That was all, but as he read it
the tear, unbidden, yet unrebukcd,
rushed to his eyes. and prayer, pure
sacred wish, wrungfrom the aching DIES,
olate heart. now far away, might be
fully and truly answered;
A year had passed, and with it had
brought many changes. Surrounded by
the temptations which, in strange and
distant city. are so apt to lead young
feet astray, Frederick soop became an
easy prey to more than one vice. His
| uncle was immersed in business cares
and. having no children of his own, was
not calculated to scrutinize the actions
of his nephew. Besides, the most of
his derelictions from the path of recti-
tude took place out of business hours,
when the old man was sleeping the
sleep of the just" leaving his ward to
do the same if he chose. AS Fred was
for the most part attentive to his mer-
camille duties, and his uncle over-in-
dulgent (for the formSc was really a
lovable and prepossessing youth). he
took it for granted that all was as well
as could be expected, and if not, why,
"boys will bc boys" he asserted to
himself with q chuckle of amused salts
faction. When some of his male friends
told him that his nephew was "cutting
rather wide swath," his good humor-
ed countenance would cloud up for a
while, and then he would say, :'Oh, he
will turn out all right. Sowing his wild
oats. you know. Blood will tell," and
mention other proverbs which can often
be made to point many inferior jests
and strengthen many a weak argument.
But there was one sentinel that kept
watch and ward over the fatherless boy.
Night and night, while the pale stars
looked down with their solemn. serious
eyes. the anxious mother knelt by her
couch, and the name of the distant,
hayward, but beloved one, was borne
aloft on the pinions of those pure and
holy prisons which enter into the court
of Heaven and plead with strange and
unearthly sweetness there.
Time passed and the letters which had
at first been regular, affectionate and
satisfactory. were few and brief, and
there was a notable lack of information
about his duties, pursuits and pleas
ures, in great contrast to the contiden-
tial communications of the past. A deep
anxiety took possession of her, when
after long delay she wrote a letter of
inquiry to his uncle, to which she re-
ceived reply rather evasive, yet cheer
ful enough for any but the argus-eye of
maternal affection. Deeming herself
perhaps too solicitous and prone to
look on the dark side of events on ac-
count OF past vic;ssitudes, she waited
with what patience and resignation she
could command for further particulars
concerning the success of his business
ventures. It had been her intention
when he left her to join him as soon as cir
cumstances would permit, and now she
fastened her preparations with greater
rapidity as weeks passed and she heard
nothing save few brief lines inform
ing her that he was well. AS the time
of departure drew near a strange
presentiment of evil seemed to settle
down upon her spirits. anda deep gloom
as of approaching danger filed her ach-
ing heart.
1t was night in Denver. In one of
those gilded haunts of vice so numer-
Gus and popular in that western city,
the sound of drunken revels could be
heard. The waning moon shed soft,
mild luster on the almost deserted
street, for the night was far advanced,
and the fresher breeze of approaching
morning began to make itself felt in
the atmosphere without; but within, the
fetid fumes of liquor, tobacco and arti-
fetal light, together with the sitting
warmth, offered a nauseous contrast
and proved sickening pabulum for
lungs expanded and braced by draughts
of the purer evening air of heaven.
And If the contrast was distinct in
this respect, how much greater, alas!
was it, considered in a mental and NOR
al respect? Within, the dice ratified,
the glasses clinked, and rough and burly
forms, associated with besotted and
degraded faces, lurked around the ia
BILE and handled the treacherous ivory
aud still more treacherous fluids
with which the wearied bartender
served the frequenters of the vile and
desperate place. From many a belt
cleaned the murderous light of hid
den stiletto, and the ready pistol was a
necessary adjunct to the apparel
which here, as elsewhere, proclaimed
the man."
Many nationalities were represented
among them Mexicans, with dark,
fierce faces. and sombrero hats; Chi
nese. smooth and oily, with outward
stupidity concealing deep cunning and
artitice, and American youths, coarse
and debased by habit, association and
lack OF restraining self.respect. ~
Amid this mass of human debris. near
one of the card-tables, his face flushed
with intoxication, his hand trembling
with nervous eagerness, and his form
carclessly attired, sat Frederick Bal
four. How like a fair flower amid
weeds he looked In spite of his haggard
face, his reckless air, and his blood
shot eye. The graceful air so natural
still fingered in his 1.-the movements
and on the brow and mouth, once so
fondly imprinted with mothers part
ing kiss. dwelt shadowy expression of
sadness as if his guardian angel, bidding
farewell, had famed him with her de-
parting pinions and left the fleeting
perfume of her holy presence on his
guilt stained soul ~~,tsss.- 1s
? The play was at its height when a
quarrel arose among the men; the in
tense eager looks of the players were
exchanged for those of malice. hatred.
murder! In the dark, wicked faces
cleaned q deadly light, az Frederick,
with youthful pertinacity and abandon,
needed them not. and by continual con-
tradictions added fuel to the dangerous
flames. l,:e ,~T-t.T
He had no more money to stake. and
foiled in their expectations, they made
threats, both loud and deep, and boldly
accused him of fraud and even theft.
At this juncture, the eye of one Of his
adversaries fel! upon the ring which
| still adorned HE has,d eud S.i;%<o-o1