American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-12-04

When the twilight shadow began to
AL cloud, faint and small, slowly
gathered on his boyish brow, his spirits
began to droop, and thoughts OF home
md the dear ones there crept slowly
4round his heart, sitting the gay laugh
which arose to his lips, and quelling the
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-
NC for thought, he drew it OFF, and as
he waning light sunset stole through
he window it revealed this inscription,
upon the inside: "God bless
-ou." That was all, but as he read it
he tear, unbidden, yet unrebukei,
ushed to his eyes, and n prayer, pure
md fervent, rose to his lips that the
acred wish, wrung from the aching des-
'latc heart, now far away, might be
filly and truly answered;
hr year had passed, and whist had
tbe rht many changes. Surrounded by
Act .pptations which, in n strange and
foot city, are so apt to lead young
| a.sv ,,ry, Frederick soon became an
unc,e wao more than one vice. His
and bayinpmersed in business cares
not calculate children of his own, was
of his nepheto scrutinize the actions
his dereliction, Besides, the most of
tude took placeom the path OF rectl-
when the old ma. OF business hours,
sleep of the Just, "vas sleeping the
do the same if he Giving his ward to
for the most part attic: AS Fred was
camille duties, and hHe TO ms mer-
dulgent (for the formqcle oVer-h-
lovable apd prepossessiTas realiy q
took it for granted that a6ouIh), ne
as could be expected, and ifs as wen
.sboys will be boys" he al, Why
hfnfseIf with chuckle of anus eu W
faction. When some of his male salts
told him that his nephew was "cinos
rather wide swath." his good hung
ed countenance would cloud up fol
while. and then he would say, "Oh, h
VIII turn out all right. Sowing his will
oats, you know. Blood will TELL" an,
mention other proverbs which can oftel
be made to point many inferior jest
and strengthen many a weak argument
But there was one sentinel that KEEP
watch and ward over the fatheriess boy
Night and night, while the pale star
looked down with their solemn. seriou
eyes, the anxious mother knelt by he
couch, and the name of the distant
maynard, but beloved one, was borne
aloft on the pinions of those pure anc
holy prisons which enter into the cour
of Heaven and plead with strange anc
unearthly sweetness there.
Time passed and the letters which had
at hrst been regular, affectionate and
satisfactory, were few and brief, and
there was notable lack of information
about his duties, pursuits and pleas
ures, in great contrast to the confiden-
tial communications of the past. A deer
anxiety took possession of her, when
after long delay she wrote a letter of
inquiry to his uncle, to which she re-
celyed reply rather evasivc, yet cheer
ful enough for any but the argus-eye of
maternal affection. Deeming herself
perhaps too SOLICITORS and prone to
look on the dark side of events on ac-
count of past vicissitudes, she waited
with what patience and resignation she
could command for further particulars
concerning the success of his business
ventures. 1t 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
rapldity as weeks passed and she heard
nothing save a 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, and,a deep gloom
as OF approaching danger Allied 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 a 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 ia
The atmosphere without; but within, the
.etid fumes of liquor, tobacco and arti-
icial light, together with the sitting
warmth, offered nauseous contrast
md proved a sickening pabulum for
lungs expanded and braced by draughts
If the purer evening air Of heaven.
And if the contrast was distinct in
his respect, how much greater, alas!
vas il, considered in mental and NOR
Il respectp Within, the dice ratified,
he glasses clinked, and rough and burly
orms, associated with besotted and
degraded faces, lurked around the ia
Die and handled the treacherous ivory
md still more treacherous fluids
With which the wearied bartender
erved the frequenters of the vile and
desperate place. From many belt
cleaned the murderous light of hid
len stiletto, and the ready pistol was
necessary adjunct to the apparel
which here, as elsewhere, proclaimed
he man."
Many nationalities were represented
Imong them Mexicans, with dark,
ierce faces. and sombrero hats; Chi
lese, smooth and oily, with outward |
concealing deep cunning and |
'rtifice. and American youths, coarse
md debased by habit, association and |
ack of restraining self-respect.
Amid this mass of human debris. near |
me OF the card-tables, his face flushed |
With intoxication, his hand trembling
With nervous eagerness, and his form
arelessly attired, sat Frederick Bal
our. How like fair flower amid |
weeds he looked in spite of his haggard |
ace, his reckless air, and his blood
hot eye. The graceful air SO natural |
till fingered in his 1.-THE movements |
nd on the brow and mouth, once so |
ondly imprinted with mothers part
ng kiss, dwelt a shadowy expression of
adness as if his guardian angel, bidding |
arewell, had famed him with her de- |
'arting pinions and left the fleeing
'erfume of her holy presence on his
soul.
The play was at its height when a |
uarrel arose among the men; the in
ense eager looks of the players were
Exchanged for those of malice, hatred, |
murder! In the dark, wicked faces !
leaned a deadly ljoht az Fre1erielx