Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-12-25

CIV oAAO uOoi, tllu DGlOEe ne 0aO Time TO
answer, man entered and stood be-
lore him. 1t was his late adversary,
the author OF his ruin.
His first impulse was to spring upon
him, or to order him away; but there
was something on the mans bearing
which arrested the feeling, and re-
duced him to silence. All he did was
to point to a chair, and to inquire, in
a voice hoarse and tremulous with
emotion, what further business he
could want with him.
"You will pardon my intrusion."
said the other, in q calm and almost
sympathetic tone, land l trust re-
spect the motive which has brought
me hither. l was q witness of your
agitation and distress just now, and
attributed it to the loss which, re-
greet to think, you have sustained
through me. followed you upstairs,
and'-the speaker was embarrassed
Tor a moment-"and was induced from
what [ heard to follow you inside. I
acted with a soldiers impulse, which !
pray you to forgive; and I claim from
you q soldiers frankness in return"
He paused for q moment, and then
pursued:
Tell me why this loss has caused
you such distress? 1t cannot be for
the mere money; your look and atti-
tude disclalm it. There is some deep
er motive in your heart, and it is that
which entreat you to disclose" The
young man was sitting with his face
buried in his hands. apparently un-
conscious Of what the speaker
said. But he started up at the
concluding sentence, and, regard
ing him with fixed attention, said:
"You wish to know the cause OF my
distress? tits, upon your word, g pure
and friendly motive which induces
you to ask?"
1T is indeed" he answered, earnest
ly:, "fiave faith in my sincerity, and
tell me ALL"
"Well, then, will. That money!
and the tears glistened in the speak
er's eyes-"was what I had been say
ing for my wife. 1t was her sole re-
source in all the world-and I was to
have sent it her to-day"
"Your wife" exclaimed the other,
with surprise.
eyes, my wife" And this cruel loss
this rash and selfish act of mine
exposes her to what I dare not think
without O. groan. She is alone and
friendless, and II her husband, who
would give my life for her-unable to
avert her beggary.'
III am truly sorry" said the other;
"truly, deeply sorry. I too, have a.
wife; and God knows how I should
suffer if she were exposed to any bit
ter loss through me-"
He was silent for q few moments,
and then said, Frightening up as he
spoke:
''Will you promise me, on your word
as a soldier, to abstain from all
gambling for the future?-never, as
long as you live, to play for gain, if
return your money? Will you promise
me this?"
II will most solemnly," the young
man answered. And he clasped his
hands in token of the vow.
"rhen l will buy your PROMISE"
said the other "Here, take this mon
ey; it is yours!" And as he spoke he
handed him the sum which he had late
ly won below.
The young man sprang forward, and
stretching out his hands, received the
sum with trembling Joy.
"Mine?" heexclaimled. "You return
the money you have won--which you
have fairly and honestly won? I'M
possible!"
"My FRIEND" said the other, serious
ly, II give it to you in exchange for
your promise. Remember that; in ex-
change for your promise. Take this
sheet OF paper, and sign your name
below"
He sat down at the table, and wrote
as follows:
"For the sum OF $4,000, value re-
ceived, / pledge my word of honor, as
q soldier and man, never to play
any game Of chance for money. So
lie handed the sheet to the young
man, who signed it, and returned it to
the writer.
It bore the name of Lewis Fair
borough" and the date-3lst Decem-
Der, 1862.
"And now he continued, rising as
he spoke, ''let us shake hands, and
wish each other q happy-it is
strange expression to use in these ex-
cited, troubled times, but will use it
nevertheless-a happy farewell; and
best and truest wishes for the new
year."
The young man grasped the hand
which was extended to him, and said,
in reply-his voice constrained and
faltering with emotion:
II shall never forget my promise,
nor the debt OF gratitude owe you.
And if the time should ever come
when you might wish to claim cor
responding act from me--and l could
almost wish that it might come-com-
mand me, and will obey"
The other smiled; and once more
shaking hands with him, withdrew.
Before retiring, the young officer
wrote a long and loving letter to his
wife, acquainting her with all the de-
tails of the evening, of his rash and
selfish folly, his after sorrow and re-
morse, his subsequent deliverance
through the nobleness and generosity
of his cOnqueror, and OF the solemn
pledge which he had given, never, as
long as helived to play again for gain.
After that he slept, and awoke re-
freshed and morally regenerated, as
if a load-a heavy load-had been re-
moved, and his conscience cleared of
every strain. And so he left with no
ugly shadows OF the past to darken
and torment him, but with q brighter
inward visage, and a heart more
pure. Above all, with the New Years
hopes and blessings.
CHAPTER II.
1t is sixteen years after the events