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, " as |
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 Just" 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 loyab!e 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" he asserted to himself with
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" and mention osher
proverbs which can often be made to
point many interior iests and strengthen
many o 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. deep
anxiety took possession of her, when
after a long delay she wrote 3 letter OF
induiry 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. III
had been her intention when he left her
to iOin him as soon as circumstances
wonld permit, and now she fastened her
preparations with greater rapidity as
weeks passed and she heard nothing
save a 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 upon iher spirits.
md deep gloom as of approaching
danger filled her aching heart
1t was night in Denver. In one oi
those gilded haunts of vice so numerous
and popular in that Western city, the
sound OF drunken revels could be neard.
The waning moon shed a soft, mild lus'
ter on the almost deserted street, for the
night was far advanced, and the fresheI
breeze of approaching morning began
10 make itself felt in the atmosphere
without; but within, the fetid fumes oi
LIQUOR, tobacco and artificial light, to-
gether with the sitting warmth, Of
fered nauseous contract and proved 8
sickening pabulum for lungs expanded
and braced by draughts OF the purel
: 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, an6
| rough and burly forms associated, witt
! besotted and degraded faces, lurket
) around the tables and handled tn
| treacherous ivory, and still more treacn
A erous fluids with which the wearie'
4 bartender served the frequenters OF tn
8 vile and desperate place. From man.
4 a belt cleaned the murderous light OF
!. hidden stiletto, and the ready pistol wa
E a necessary adjunct to the apparel
4 which here, as elsewhere, "proclaime'
4 the man."
Many nationalities were represente
among them-Mexicans, with darh
! fierce faces and sombrero hats; Chlnest
d smooth and oily, with outward stuplC
ity. eoncealing deep cunning and art
i; fee. and American youths, coarse an
e debased by habit, association and lac
IS of restraining self-respect.
Amid this mass of human debris, mes
II one of the card-tables, his face hushe
with intoxication, his hand tremblin
% with nervous eagerness, and his tori
carelessly attired, sat Frederick Ba
four. How like fair flower amid weet
n he looked, in spite OF his haggard lac
e. his reckless air, and his bloodshot ey
IS The graceful air so natural still lnger'
rs in his 1.-the movements and on the bro
m and mouth, once so fondly impTintt
et with a mothers parting kiss. dwelt
ne shadowy expression of sadness, as If b
guardian angel, bidding farewell, hi
" famed him with her departing pinto
e. and left the feeting perfume OF her ho
IN presence on his guilt-stained brow.
a The play was at its height when
Quarrel arose among the men; the
to tense eager looks of the players were g
1 changed for those of malice, hatre
lv murder! In the dark, wicked fac
n cleaned a deadly light, as Frederic
an with Youthful pertinacity and abando
adj needed them not, and by continue
Inn contradictions added fuel to the dang
ty Gus flame.
He had no more money to stake, a
lis foiled in their expectations, they ma
on threats, both loud and deep, and bolC
he accused him of fraud and even theit.
al this iuncture, the eye of one of his
nd versaries fell upon the ring which g
he adorned his hand and gittered lik
Ion talismanic guard against evil and
It'll struction. Its intrinsic value was hi
er, calculated to awaken the cupidity