The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-06-15
The Eorristown Gazette
Fatal Mistake
Tmk r.
BARRETT SYLVESTER,
AUTHo8 on r--
SFETTERED, YET PREN, I" ''cL0UDs AWD euNgHWA
"EsFELLK'B ERROR" ".FALsE PRIDEs
"ARRIcKEN DUMBs" ETc.s REaS
- HousE n FHE REAn.

NCHAPIEh i.
zAH HOUSE N THE RE1r.
A wild night-the rain beating upon the
earth in kOrFents, and flooding the streets
and sewers. No moon, no stars-not
sign of the planetary lights. The equi-
nox was on. Dull, dreary weather, with
scarcely any cessation Of the pouring ele-
ment.
In an upper room Of neat frame house,
on one of the suburban streets of Brooklyn,
sat number7of men and two women. The
men were fashionably dressed and fit COM
pany for their companions of the opposite
sex. Four of them well-knOwn throughout
the country the others known to certain
public officials oaly
One of the women, fair to look upon,
seemed strangely out ofplace and i'll at ease,
but the other had bold face and reckless
air.
All were at q sumptuously-sp table,
eating and drinking.
Now and then burst of laughter ascend
ed to the frescoed ceiling
Jolly parties frequently gathered here,
whose hilarity caused no comment when its
sounds reached without, for the house stood
some distance in from the street and was
surrounded by well-kept garden, the shrub
berry of which almost hid the lower portion
Of it.
To the left was O summer-house of quaint
design, over which clambered vines and
flowers. Opposite the house stood q little
wooden church, in the midst of large IN
cultivated field. Few houses there were in
the vicinity, and the street was never light
ed save by the moon, for the city authorities
seemed veto be blind to the interests of the
suburban inhabitants and allowed no lamps.
In this upper room sat the gay party for
several hours, talking eating and drink
ing, when one of the four men, putting
down his wine-glass, and wiping his lips,
asked: arE
'Ricker, what news have you received
from the country today"
The man addressed as RiOker-short,
stout, and blaze-tOssed of his glass Of
Mumm before answering:
'NOne-a fact for which / cannot ac-
count"
ooh, it's nothing to be alarmed about, my
dear GeorgeP' cried the boId-faced woman.
ton are secure enough. They are able to
take care of themselves. We must be eau
tious here"
81 believe Jess is right" said another of
the four. .''While we have here a pretty
sure retreat, we have the disadvantage of
near pohce-statiOn. We are enjoying our
selves and making considerable noise, totally
regardless of consequences"
Mot so, said Kicker. "Our very hila-
A colored servant entered. He stood still
near the door and, without uttering word.
placed his finger upon his lips.
In an instant the lights were out and the
house was enveloped in darkness.
The man Kicker caught the fair, timid
woman by the hand and silently drew her
into the hall and down one fight of stairs
into small room, where wax taper afford
ed a dim light.
f'Tm afraidr' shiVered the woman. 'What
is wrong?"
Nothing think, :" whispered Kicker.
''The signal given was one of warming only.
We are obliged to be careful. Remain here
till my return"
He left her seated on luxurious settee,
trembling and. sick. In a few minutes he
returned, a pleased look On his countenance.
After lighting the lamp, he took seat be-
side her.
Everything is well, my good girl Sam
saw an officer stop in front of the gate and
gave the notification which we require In
any such event"
The Young woman was sobbing violently,
and paid little attention to what was being
said.
'Oh George Kicker" she moaned, ''wby
do you not forsake this villainous course Of
living and be honest2 Here you are in con-
slant danger of being arrested and sent to
prison, perhaps for life, while, if you were
honest, there would be no need for secrecy,
and you could mingle with the world unsus-
picious of any. have come here at great
peril, purposely TO ask you to stop where
you are-to leave this place and become q
man. Will you not do SOP"
The man laughed lightly and gave her
quizzical look.
'Came here for that, chr Well, Sis, I
don't care to quarrel, but must say don't
believe you. You came here for advice.
You are a timid bird sometimes, but you'd
never hesitate to have your own way when
it came to the pinch. There's something
on your mind. If my parent hadn't repro
bated me, you would not be forced to come
so far to seek counsel which l am quite
ready to give. Don't let scruples stand in
the way. Be willing to dare and to do.
How did you succeed in getting here?" /
Father thinks 1 have gone to visit =
friend" said the woman.
There is no danger of his seeking your"
ssHe would not think of it. l told him l
should return in the morning"
''And don't ever come here again, beg"
replied Kicker. I'm bad because there's
wicked blood in me, but / don't want you to
be what I am. Yet as to prosperity, you
must be rich, and if your father can't sup
ply your cultured tastes, why the next best
step is I'll close the door, that the whole
house may not hear my plans for your fu-
ture welfare. ~ ts#t. .'s-s.
Then followed well-concocted scheme,
the details at times sending a shnd.ler
through the listener; but she made little oh
lection. a mans advice to a weak woman,
who was already following in his own sinful
The recording angel in Heaven
must have written dire condemnation against
his name, aud he would surely have paused
could he have comprehended the enornlity
Of his sin and its results; but his heart was
and his vision obscured.
The house was still; there was no one
lwake-the hilarious men and the woman
Of bold address had retired each to their
several apartments-but hours passed before
he man Kicker and his female companion
separated.
A dark night, indeedi =,