Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1880-10-14
WOODBURY. N. J., THURSDAY, OCTOBER A. $780,

chuckle of amused satisfaction. When
some of his male friends told him that
his nephew was cutting rather wide
swath," his good-humored countenance
would cloud up for while, and then he
would say: "Oh, he will turn out all
right. Sowing his wild oats, you know.
Blood will tell,n and mention o.her
proverbs which can often be made to
point many inferior iests and strengthen
many q 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,
wayward, but beloved one, was borne
aloft on the pinions of those pure and
holy orlsons 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 notable lack of information
about his duties, pursuits and pleasures,
in great contrast to the confidential
communications of the past. A deep
anxiety took possession of her, when
after long delay she wrote letter of
inquiry to his uncle, to which she re-
ceived reply rather evasive, yet cheer
tul 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 account of
past vicissitudes, she waited with what
patience and resignation she could COM
mand 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 circumstances
wOnld permit, and now she hastened her
preparations with greater rapidity as
weeks passed and she heard nothing
save few brief lines informing her that
he was well. As the time of departure
drew near a strange presentiment of evil
seemed to settle down upo1 lher spirits.
and a deep gloom as of approaching
danger filed her aching heart
1t was night in Denver. In one of
those gilded haunts of vice so numerous
and popular in that Western city, the
sound OF drunken revels could be heard.
The waning moon shed soft, mild lus-
ter on the almost deserted street, for the
night was far advanced, and the fresher
breeze of approach Ng morning began
to make itself felt IN the atmosphere
without; but within, the fetid fumes of
liquor, tobacco and artificial light, to-
gether with the sitting warmth, of
fered a nauseous contract and proved
sickening pabulum for lungs expanded
and braced by draughts of the purer
evening air OF heaven. And if the con-
traSt was distinct in this respect, how
much greater, alasi was it, considered
in mental and moral aspectP Within,
the dice ratified, the glasses clinked, and
rough and burly forms associated, with
besotted and degraded faces, lurked
around the tables and handled the
treacherous ivory, and still more treach-
eroas fluids with which the wearied
bartender served the frequenters of the
vile and desperate place. From many
belt cleaned the murderous light If
hidden 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; Chinese,
smooth and oily, with outward stupid
ity, concealing deep cunning and arti-
debased by habit, association and lack
of restraining sel-respect.
Amid this mass of human debris, near
one of the card-tables, his face fash i
with intoxication, his hand trembling
with nervous ca gerness, and his form
ca elessly attired, sat Frederick Bal
four. How like fair flower amid weeds
he looked, in spite of his haggard face,
his reckless air, and his bloodshot eye.
The graceful air so natu al still fingered
in his 1.-THE movements and on the brow
and mouth, once so fondly imprinted
with mothers parting kiss, dwelt 8
shadowy expression of sadness, as if his
guardian angel, bidding farewell, had
tanned him with her departing pinions
and left the feeting perfume of her holy
presence on his guilt stained brow.
The play was at its height when
quarrel arose among the men; the in
tense eager looks of the players were ex-
changed for those of malice, hatred,
murder! In the dark, wicked faces
cleaned q deadly light, as Frederick,
with youthful pertinacity and abandon,
needed them not, and by continuous
contradictions added fuel to the danger
Gus flame.
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 ad-
versaries fell upon the ring which still
adorned his hand and glittered like a
talismanic guard against evil and de-
struction. Its intrinsic value was little
calculated to awaken the cupidity Of
any observer, but to a grasping mind
the sight of gold, however Insignificant,
is in itself temptation.
Stake the ring" the Mexican rough
ly exclaimed.
Yes, the ring" stupidity echoed his
companions, who were more inebriated
than himself and were ready to greet
any brutal jest with oaths and ap-
plause.
Frederick looked at his mothers part
ing gift and as he impulsively drew it
from his finger. the Inscription which
he had once read with such deep emo
tion, met his fevered gaze-'s God bless
you"
With what thrill of anguish he read
the words, and the unconscious little
shining circlet seemed a sad and silent
monitor, pointing him toward the
| scenes of happiness and innocence now
so far in the distance and from which
his all too willing feet had sadly
strayed.
81 will not, cannot" he answered
hoarsely, as with pale and averted face
and trembling hands he replaced the
loving token on his finger.
Then, by, III make youi" yelle
the ruffian, and seizing him by the
throat he made a feroeious lunge with q
stiletto.
The parties in and around the saloon