The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-10-14

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" and mention o.her
proverbs which can often be made to
point many inferior jests 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
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 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 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
alter long delay she wrote letter of
inquiry to his uncle, to which she re-
celved 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 upol ther spirits.
and deep gloom as of approaching
danger filled 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 approaching morning began
to make itself felt in the atmosphere
without; but within, the fetid fumes of
liquor, tobacco and artificial light, to-
| RSlutl WILL buG wal luJus vi
fercd a nauseous contract and proved q
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, alas! 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
Jreacherous ivory, and still more treach-
erous fluids with which the wearied
bartender served the frequenters of the
vile and desperate place. From many
u belt cleaned the murderous light of a
"a necessary adjunct to the apparel "
which he e, as else where, 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.
flee, 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
ca~elessly att!red, 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 a mothers parting kiss, dwett q
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 8
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 deadly light, as Frederick
with youthful pertinacity and abandon
; contradictions added fuel to the danger
Gus flame.
He had no more money to stake, ant
foiled in their expectations, they mad
threats, both loud and deep, and boldly
: accused him of fraud and even theft. A
, this juncture, the eye OF one of his ad
yersaries fell upon the ring which still
adorned his hand and glittered like
talismanic guard against evil and de
, struction. Its intrinsic value was littl
calculated to awaken the cupidity Q
any observer, but to a grasping min
: the sight of gold, however Insignificant
! is in itself temptation.
"Stake the ring" the Mexican rough
ly exclaimed.
7 :" Yes, the ring" stupidity echoed hi
companions, who were more inebriate
than himself and were ready to gree
any brutal lest with oaths and ap
9 plause.
/; Frederick looked at his mothers part
4 ing gift and as he impulsiyely drew
from his finger. the inscription whic
a he had once read with such deep emo
u tion, met his fevered gaze" God bles
!, you"
y With what a thrill of anguish he rea
). the words, and the unconscious lit
n shining circlet seemed a sad and silei
y monitor, pointing him toward I'll
= scenes of happiness and innocence no
le so lar in the distance and from whio
oi his all too willing feet had sad
strayed.
81 will not, cannot" he answere
d hoarsely, as with pale and averted fa,
" and trembling hands he replaced ii
d loving token on his finger.
~ "Then, by, I'll make your yell
"a the ruffian, and seizing him by t
is throat he made fero :ious lunge with
8, stiletto.
IS The parties in and around the salo'
IS had by this time gathered near, and e
is tement deep and intense prevaile