The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-11-03

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, most of his
derelictions from the path of rectitude
took place out of business hours, when
the old man was sleeping the sleep OF
the lust, leaving his ward to do the
same If he chose. As Fred was for the
most part attentive to his mercantile
duties, and his uncle over-indulgent
(for the former was really lovable and
prepossessing youth), he took it for
granted that all was as well as could be
expected. and If not. why, boys will
be boys,n he asserted to himself with a
chuckle Of amused satisfaction. When
some of his male friends told him that
his nephew was cutting rather a wide
swath," his good-humored countenanc ce
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" and mention other
proverbs which can often be made to
point many inferior iests and strengthen
many weak argument.
But there was one sentinel that kept
watch and ward over the fatherless boy.
Night and night. while the pale stars
ooked 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 orisons 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 pleasures.
in great contrast to the confidential
communications of the past. A deep
anxiety took possession of her, when
after long delay she wrote 3 letter OF
inquiry to his uncle, to which she re-
ceived reply rather evasive, yet cheer
full 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 fastened 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 strange presentiment OF evil
seemed to settle down upon iher spirits.
and deep gloom as of approaching
danger filed ber aching heart
/ It 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 approaching 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 nauseous contract and proved a
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, alasl was it, considered
in a 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-
erous fluids with which the wearied
bartender served the frequenters Of the
vile and desperate place. From many
belt cleaned the murderous light of a
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, eoncealing deep cunning and arti.
fee, 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 torn
carelessly 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 natural still fingered
in his 1.-the movements and on the brow
and mouth, once so fondly imprinted
with mOCner'B pArblng KISS. OWelt
shadowy expression of sadness, as If hi!
guardian angel, bidding farewell, haC
tanned him with her departing pinionl
and left the fieeting perfume OF her holy
presence on his guilt-stained brow.
The play was at its height when 1
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 face
cleaned deadly light, as Frederick
with youthful pertinacity and abandon
needed them not, and by continuou
contradictions added fuel to the danger
Gus flames
He had no more money to stake, ant
foiled in their expectations, they mad
threats, both loud and deep, and boldl.
accused him of fraud and even th4e. A
this iuncture, the eye Of one q his ad
versaries fell upon the ring which sti
adorned his hand and ghttered like
talismanic guard against evil and dc
struction. Its intrinsic value was littl
calculated to awaken the cupidity Z
4. -. a min in