CHAPTER I.

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By the side of one of those romantic trout-streams that are embosomed
in the glens of New-England, was to be seen, just before sunset of an afternoon
in September, 1841, a group composed of three figures. The place
in which they were was deeply secluded. Around them rose the huge columnar
trunks of a forest which had been ancient when the first Pilgrim
Father set his foot upon the western shores. Through the forest, which
covered upland and intervale, flowed the dark wild waters of the brook, upon
the banks of which they were assembled. The forest was solemn and
grand, and its long vistas seemed like the huge gothic aisles of an old-world
cathedral. The brook gambolled through this fine old wood in many a
wanton circle, now sweeping swiftly around a smooth-faced rock, and now
dividing to embrace huge oaks, whose heavy wide-spread branches dipped
into the flood. In the darkest part of the wood it fell tumbling over ragged
rocks in snow-white cataracts that glittered and flashed like silver contrasting
the deep green and blackness of the shadows around.

At the spot where the group was seen, it flowed still and deep, its
waters being black and motionless as a pool, and reflecting in their
mirror-like bosom every mammoth branch, limb, tendril and leaf that
grew above it; also, a small strip of the pure bright blue sky that opened
between the trees was seen far, far down in its depths. As the stream passed
away on its course it went gurgling over a shallow bed and struggled amid
a wilderness of confusedly heaped rocks, moss-grown and half clad in foliage,
before it emptied into a broader and more quiet stream. At its junction
the trees opened and permitted a sunny view of a distant meadow, with
the spire of a village church beyond it, and upon the side of a hill were visible
amid the grove in which it stood the chimnies and portico and imposing
out-buildings of a gentleman's country-residence. Nearer the water,
shaded by a noble elm of great antiquity, stood a very humble farm-house,
over-run with wood-bine, and forming a picturesque object in the pleasant
scene which the opening in the forest rendered visible. The group consisted,
we have said, of three figures, not of three persons, for the third
member of the group was a fine large brown dog, half Newfoundland, half
mastiff. The two persons were young men, nearly about the same age,
neither of them being above three and twenty; but here all resemblance
terminated. One of them was a remarkably good-looking and well-dressed
young gentleman, with that air and appearance, which at a glance showed

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that he belonged to what is termed `good society.' Though his attire was
fashionable it was far from being buckish; but on the contrary in good taste,
and worn with that easy, graceful negligence which distinguishes the truly
bred young man from his imitators. In a word, Edward Austin would never
have been mistaken for a journeyman tailor on a holiday. He was engaged
in angling; and the better to enjoy his ease he was reclined at his
length upon the thick, soft grass with his hand pillowed upon the moss-covered
root of the vast oak which grew above him and cast its shade far over
the water. His vest was open, his cravat loosely knotted in front, and instead
of a broad-cloth dress-coat he was habited in a very becoming and
well-cut blowse. By his side on the ground lay a huge brimmed straw hat,
that looked as if it had seen service, and by it stood an ivory box with several
compartments containing flies, hooks, sennet, cork, hair-line, and the
other appurtenances of a practised amateur angler. On the other side stood
a basket, from which, from time to time, a speckled trout would fling himself
a foot or two into the air, revolve in a circling and graceful summerset, and
then fall to lay quiet among his fellows. This basket was guarded by the
two fore-paws of Bruce, the fine animal having placed them on each side of
it as if to see that none of its restless tenants escaped. It was plain that
he did not much like the frequent demonstrations towards freedom made by
the trout in their saltations in the air, and his large hazel eye would expand
and dilate as he gazed after some one of them ready to spring upon it if
should not happen to descend to its place in the basket. His assiduous anxiety
touching their security was betrayed in every lineament of his intelligent
and dignified visage, and was the source of not a little amusement to
the third figure of our group. This was a young man whose chief physical
characteristic was fat. He was a juvenile Falstaff in shape and feature.—
Though at least twenty three years of age, he had cheeks like a well-fed infant,
fair and rosy. His face was the very picture of mirth and content.—
His mouth wore a pleasant smile and his blue eyes sparkled with two merry
stars in their centres that a tear never had dimmed. He had short curly
hair, that made even his forehead look smiling and bright. He had a double
chin and very fat hands, and his arms fitted his jacket sleeves, and his legs
and trowsers like a tight glove well drawn on. He was not so tall as his
companion by a head, for Edward Austin was nearly six feet in beight and
finely proportioned. But Roundy Beebe made up in weight what he came
short of in height, and compounded in flesh for want of length in bone.

He was not lying on his back like Austin, but in a posture that suited his
lazy habits better and at the same time insured his getting upon his feet
again without assistance, viz: upon his belly. His face protruded over the
water a little, and in his fat hand he held a fishing rod with a grass-hopper
at the other end. He amused himself attentively in watching Bruce's anxiety
whenever a trout would leap out of the basket, and in suspending the
grass-hopper, which was alive, just so far above the water as to make it hop
upon the surface. Edward Austin had, at the extremity of his delicate line
a blue and scarlet fly, which he was skilfully playing in a black nook beneath
a gnarled root, near that upon which he was reclining, and as he lay with
his face a little turned to one side to overlook the spot, he was thus enabled
to repose his person and pursue his pastime at the same time. Roundy's
free and easy position was in humble imitation of his young master's more
luxurious attitude.

Thus they were grouped there, with the evening shadows darkening the
old wood, the setting sun sending level arrows of golden light through the
crevices in the glades on the western side, the dark water flowing by, the
distant white cataract tumbling over and over itself in foam, and looking,
through the dim trees and indistinct light like a huge white monster
playing and curvetting, and madly roaring as if to break from some invisible
bonds and dash through the echoing forest.

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`Well, Master Nedward!' ejaculated Roundy, after having succeeded in
drowning his grass-hopper in vainly trying to make him skip over the surface.

`Well, Roundy,' responded the young man in a familiar tone and with a
pleasant half-smile; at the same time he threw his fly with a negligent air
farther into the little pool in which he knew there was a fine trout lying covert.

`I'se made up my mind!'

`Well, let us hear what you've made of it!'

`It's my pinion,, 'tant no use tryin to make hoppergrasses dance on
the water if they an't got got no partners. They'll die dead and drown jist
coss they feels so lonesome. You see how this one did I'm takin off my
hook. Look at him! His legs is all skewered up under him, and his whiskers
hangs down as meek and flimsy-flamsy as ever was!'

`I didn't know before, Roundy, that grass-hoppers had whiskers!' observed
Austin with a smile; he raised himself a little on his elbow as
he spoke, and fixed his gaze with sudden earnestness upon his fly. As he
did so a large trout whose shining sides and speckled back could be distinctly
seen beneath the surface, darted for the bait, and in his eagerness
sprung with it twice his length out of the water.

`You're fixed now, Beersheba,' said Roundy, in a quiet tone of exultation
as he eyed the captive in his struggles to escape. `If I had you there you
might have some chance o' seeing your parents again, but when Master
Nedward is t'other end o' the line then you may jest as well make your will
and take it coolly!'

The young gentleman `played' his fiery and rapidly darting prisoner with
consummate skill and in a few moments drew him to the bank exhausted.

`I told you so, my child,' said Roundy, as he raised himself from his belly
to his knees, and began to disengage the trout from the hook; `I know'd
you'd have to guv in and say die! Get out, Bruce! Your eyes sparkled as
if you enjoyed the sport too! I wonder if Bruce couldn't angre, Master
Ned, if so be as I could larn him to hold a rod slantendiklar. He's been a
troutin' with us so much I'll bet a sojer agen an Injun chief he'd fish like a
gentleman!'

`You have my consent to teach him,' said Edward as he began to fold up
and arrange his tackle; `but not to-night.'

`He's knowing, brother Bruce is! but then I think sometimes he han't
got common sense.'

`Indeed?'

`Darn me if I think there an't some humbug about him arter all, 'telligent
as he'd make me b'lieve he was. Now did you see him watching them
trout? Why he looked as tarnal skeered whenever one on 'em would jump
as if 'twas a nest o' live hawks he was a guardin' and he expected they was
a goin' to fly away. He'd watch 'em out o' his eyes when they'd hop a foot
high jist as if he expected they was goin' right up through the trees into the
sky and say `I'm off!' Now if he's a dog so sensible as he pretends he is,
he'd know a fish couldn't fly, and that his watchin' that are basket was all
glum jist like—jist like varnishin' sassengers. Now I dare say he thinks
them fish has wings or legs, and if they git on the ground they'll streak it
like a rabbit. Now for a dog what's reasonable and common-sense like on
other things to be such a idiot about trout when he's been a fishin' as much
as he has and knows their natur, dumsquizzles me.'

`Dum what?'

`Dumsquizzles me!' repeated Roundy with greater emphasis.

`Yes I understand.'

`To be sure you do. Dumsquizzles me it does, Master Ned?'

`Don't believe thus of old Bruce, Roundy. He only amuses himself with
a gambols of the fish. You mistook the expression of his eye.'

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`No I didn't. I can tell his feelins jist as well as I can yours, Master Nedward.
His face is all over talk and readin' jist like a book. Why, I've laid
on my belly on the grass, and Bruce layin' opposite me with his nose on his
paws, and I've talked and gossipped with him by the hour, and I could understand
him jist as if he had a spoke human words. There, he's listenin'
and understands every thing I say jist as well as you do. Now that's what
spifflicates me.'

`Does what?' asked Austin, with a sly, mischievous smile; for he delighted
to banter Roundy upon his peculiar and favorite modes of expression.

`Spifflicate is a dictionary word, Master Ned,' answered the fat young
man a little touched.

`Is it? Oh, aye!

`To be sure it is. I never uses a word I doesn't know what it means,
Master Ned!'

At this moment as Austin was about getting upon his feet to return homeward,
they heard a rustling in the path behind them, and looking up beheld
a young man approaching with a fowling piece in his hand, and a game bag
and pouch slung beneath his arm. He had a handsome and prepossessing
countenanee, but it bore the marks, not to be mistaken, of incipient dissipation.

`Ah, Ned, my fine fellow, so you are just pulling up your traps and starting
home!' he exclaimed in a lively tone. `What luck? Ah, I needn't ask.
A basket full of fine fish! I think I shall have to turn trout-killer, for I
can't find game. I have shot only two birds, one a plover and the other a
meadow-lark. I saw a rabbit and two grey-squirrels, but I couldn't get a
shot at them. I should like trouting but for the water. It don't agree with
me standing over the water. It always gives me the ague.'

`Perhaps, Master Ralph,' said Roundy with a sly twinkle in his blue eyes,'
perhaps you'd like fishing in the Brandywine creek.'

`Oh, you are there are you, you fat rogue!' exclaimed Ralph Waldron,
lifting his gun in a playful manner, yet slightly coloring. `But that reminds
me,' he said, taking a flask from his pocket. `I'm tired and knocked up
browsing about all the afternoon, and now I've met you I mean to take a
pull at my flask here, Austin. Come join me, and you, Roundy, shall have
a mouthful though you don't deserve it, you are such a fat reprobate. Here
Austin, here's a little silver cup I had made expressly to drink out of it. It
holds just a wine-glass full. Come, `he added, filling the cup from his flask
with pure brandy, `try a little. You have been fishing here I dare say this
three hours, and it's dry work as gunning, if it is in the water.' And he
presented the sparkling silver goblet to his friend.

`Thank you, no!' quietly answered Austin, `I never drink.'

`No, I know you don't, Ned,' replied Waldron with a smile of ready acknowledgment;
`but then a little won't hurt you. I always take a thimblefull
when I've been out exerting myself and I never feel fatigue. There is
a sort of supernatural strength in a little brandy. Let me be ever so fagged
out, two swallows makes me a man again! Come, Ned,' and the young
man, whose strength lay in brandy, placed the cup upon the thumb and
finger of his friend, as if he would press it insinuatingly within his grasp.

`Excuse me, Ralph,' answered Austin firmly and looking a little annoyed,
while a slight expression of mingled pity and contempt passed over his fine
features, as he looked in the face of his friend and saw there the lines of intemperance
faint, indeed, yet as decided and endurable as if cut in marble.

The young gunner looked hurt, and slowly withdrawing his hand he fixed
his eyes on Roundy, who was very busily occupied in winding up the last
line. `Well, I won't force you, Austin. If you choose to refuse a friend
you are at liberty to do so. But it's dull work drinking alone. A fellow
looks foolish pouring a glass down his own throat, while others stand around

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lookin' on. Come, Roundy, you must drink with me. I dare say you never
refused a good offer. I'll empty the cup and fill for you!' Thus speaking
he placed the brilliantly colored `fire-blood' to his lips and was about to
empty the cup when Roundy answered with a very serious air, copying in
his reply the precise words of his master, `excuse me, Mister Ralph, I never
drink!'

`Why man your cheeks are as rosy as two goblets of port. You mean
you never drink water!' And Waldron laughed, but in a way that showed
he did not believe what he said.

`No, Mister Ralph. I never drinked a bit o' liquor in my life, I nor
Master Ned never did. When he takes to drinkin' then I will, not afore.—
Drunk or sober I'm Master Nedward's shadow, and hope I al'ays shall be.
But its drunk you never'll see this here shadow, I know that, Mister Ralph.
So I'm werry especially 'bliged to you, and thanks you jist as much as tho'
I was layin' down there in that bog puddle tipsy as a toper. When Master
Ned crooks his elbow then I'll begin to shoot the stars with a tumbler turned
bottom-up! Like master, like man!'

`You talk, Roundy, as if there was great harm in taking a drop now and
then. Now it does one good. It makes a tired man feel like a new man.
Well, if I must drink alone I must. I'm not ashamed of it for I don't think
there is the least harm in it! So Austin here's your health, and Roundy, my
fatty, may your shadow never be less!

`I don't mean it shall,' answered the young farmer very drily; for the position
his master had taken he resolved to imitate to the utmost; he being in
all things, as he truly termed himself, his master's shadow and admiring
imitator. `If I looked at the stars often in the day time, Mister Ralph, I
should no longer rejoice in fat and folly!'

`Well, I will drink your healths and mine too, for I'm fairly used up. I've
walked full three miles. In five minutes I shall feel as if I never knew fatigue.
You don't know what you lose!'

`Stay, Ralph,' said Austin, placing his hand upon his wrist as he was
about to drink. `You say it gives you strength. Let us see if this is true.
A year ago, before you had ever touched spirit, you and I leaped the stream
just above there from rock to rock. We were both equal in strength and
vigor and activity. `Come now,' added Edward, with a frank, kindly smile,
taking his arm,' come, and before you drink that let us try and see if we can
both leap it now. If drinking brandy has strengthened you, as you say, you
ought to be able to out-do me now.'

Waldron colored with sudden embarrassment, and then said in a hesitating
manner, and with looks that were somewhat abashed, `I, I meant after
I had taken a little! I will drink this, and in five minutes I will make the
trial with you,' he answered confidently.

`No. Try it now. If brandy has done you good you can now prove its
benefits. By all odds, as I have drank none you ought to be my superior.
Come Ralph, let us try!'

`But I have walked so far.'

`Three miles. I have walked no less than seven since dinner. I have
been to the head of the stream and back.'

`Yes, as I can bear witness to; for I sweat away at least five pounds of
good meat on the way,' answered Roundy.

`Now if you had taken a flask with you, Roundy, you would not have
sweat so. But I must drink before I try.'

`Then you acknowledge that you cannot leap so well now as a year ago.
Your brandy has done you an injury, Ralph, by your own admission.'

`Not a bit! I will try; but on condition that if I fail you will give me another
trial after I nave taken a pull.'

`Agreed!' cheerfully answered his friend. They approached the spot.—

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The space was fifteen feet wide. Austin took the leap boldly and cleared
the stream with full two feet to spare beyond the verge. Ralph eyed the
chasm and the swift water with a timid, doubtful aspect. He made three
several demonstrations, and then turned away, saying with a look of mortification,

`I don't feel quite well—head-ache. My sight swims a little. I give it up
on this score, Austin. But let me try my brandy now, and I will prove to
you the difference. I will show you that drinking does no harm, especially
what little I take; for I never drink except I'm gunning.'

`Which is every blessed day,' said Roundy in an under tone.

He took off the brandy, and immediately half-filling the cup again with a
quick furtive action, with his back half turned towards them, he drank this
off also, looking like a man who had no confidence in his natural powers.

`Now I am ready,' he said in a loud confident tone. `Come, my boy, let
me have that little matter tried over again. I feel well. My head-ache has
gone to the winds. Come, I'll show you, that though I felt a little bad just
now, I am as good as I ever was.' This was spoken with that feeling of
bravado which tries to outbrave shame.

He stepped back, started, and run the three yards which was allowed to
both, and then stopped short on the brink.

`I don't feel the brandy working yet. I'll wait a minute or so, Ned!' he
said with a laugh by which he would conceal his consciousness of physical
inferiority; for he felt in his heart that brandy had been the foe to his strength
and manhood. He paced the green a few times, and more than once involuntarily
placed his eye upon the flask which lay with his gun and game
bag upon the ground, with a longing desire to deepen his draughts; but a
sense of shame or pride, whatever be the name of the sentiment, deterred
him. After a few moments he again took his post, and with that bold and
confident air which wine gives, he started for the leap. He threw all his
strength and skill into the act, and his feet left the bank with a free spring.
But the impetus was insufficient to carry him across, and coming short of
the opposite bank he plunged into the deep and rapid flood. He would have
been carried down but for the arm of Austin, who reaching out from the
shore seized him and brought him to land.

`Now, my friend,' said Edward kindly, `I trust you will confess the impotency
of brandy to give a man strength. Believe me, it is his weakness!
This I trust you are now convinced of, and will, like a man, dash the treacherous
thing forever from your lips!'

`It is because I was such a fool as to take too little,' answered Waldron
doggedly. `If I had not cared for you and taken what I wanted too, I would
have beaten you in the leap, instead of jumping into the stream as I have
done. I owe it all to you.'

`Why to me?' asked Austin with surprise.

`Because you—you—that is, I hate to drink even as much as would fill a
percussion-cap before such fellows as you, who look on as if it was damnation
I was drinking. I don't like to drink before folks with such confounded
ideas! There's no harm in it in the world. I never was drunk in my
life, and never intend to be! No man despises a sot more heartily than I
do. Never fear me, Austin. I shall drink a glass of wine or brandy when
I want it, and I shall be never the worse for it! I must take something now
or I shall catch my death of cold”

Thus speaking he crossed the stream by a fallen tree a few yards above
and hurrying, he applied his flask to his mouth with a gusto that caused his
temperate friend to sigh heavily, and in imitation of which a grotesque groan
came audibly from the chest of Roundy Beebe.

CHAPTER II.

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The two young men taking up their fishing and hunting instruments, and
followed by Roundy Beebe, who in walking rolled like a man-o'war's-man
from very obesity, walked on a little while in silence. The path led along
the brook, and then leaving it crossed the larger stream beyond by a rustic
bridge. At the other side of the bridge were two paths, one leading by the
edge of the meadow round to the villages, the other crossing the intervale
in the direction of the villa visible above the woodlands.

`Here we separate, Ralph,' said Edward, `unless you will come home
and take tea with me.'

`Thank you, Austin. But I believe I'll go home. I leave for New York
to-morrow afternoon you know, and I have got things to attend to.

`Do you go so soon?'

`Yes. I received a letter yesterday from my uncle, in which he said he
would like to have me come to the city as soon as convenient, as he wished
to leave as soon after I came as possible.'

`You are going into partnership with him, Waldron?'

`Yes. I was his clerk you know until I was twenty-one, when I came
home to study law, for which I always had a fancy. But two years study
has shown me that it is not so desirable a profession after all. So as my
Uncle Ward wanted a partner, I wrote to him telling him I intended to relinquish
the law and return to business, and proposed to go in with him.—
The reply was he would like nobody better.'

`This was certainly very creditable to you,' answered Austin.

`Yes. Mr. Ward is a thorough merchant and a man of business. He
was satisfied with me when I was with him. He could not help being so,
for I devoted every hour and all my energies to his interests.'

Austin was silent and thoughtful. At length he said sadly, `Your uncle,
Mr. Ward has not seen you within a year or two has he?'

Waldron glanced at his face with a quick eye of suspicion; for his conscience
could not fail to help him in understanding the motive which led
his friend to ask this question, and in a tone so sorrowful. He would have
replied to him in a quick and angry manner; but he thought it best not to
seem to have understood.

`No. It is two years since I saw him,' he answered with an embarrassed
air in spite of his forced indifference.

`I trust you will find it pleasant in New York, and that your business connection
with Mr. Ward will prove as agreeable as formerly.'

`I have no fears. I understand you, Ned,' he said with a laugh. `You
think I shall take a little something now and then. You see I comprehend
your thoughts. But never fear for me. I only take a little when I am hunting,
or such like. As soon as I get to the city, I shall stop with it. Yes, I
intend to put my foot down and say done! I can leave it off when I choose.
I shall be as steady as a judge in the city. Business men can't drink and be
good for anything. I pride myself on my business habits. Never fear me
Ned. A drop out of a flask when one is out a gunning isn't drinking at
bars. That I never did. I never drank at a bar in my life.'

`I am glad to hear it. It is bad enough to drink, Ralph; but when a
young man drinks openly at bars he shews by the act that he is so far gone
in intemperance as to be lost to all sense of shame; that his mind is stolid
to the lynx-eyed penetration and unerring judgment of public opinion. As

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a friend let me urge you to abandon this practice at once. It will insensibly
fasten upon you. You cannot throw it off at will. If you could have
done so, why not have done so but now? I fear me, Ralph, your are farther
committed to intemperance than you will admit, or than you suspect.
The man who drinks alone and in private as you say you do, is the last to
discover his own infamy. He walks in a mist, and thinks himself and his
acts invisible. He believes not, suspects not, that men regard him as an intemperate
man. He truly believes that his breath is not noticed by those he
talks with. He deludes himself with the idea that his thick tongue, his
unsteady gait, his garrulity and false hilarity are unnoticed. Because he tries
to blind himself to what he feels is becoming a habit, and succeeds in doing
so, he thinks that he has been as successful in blinding others. Now, my
dear Ralph, take the advice of a friend from boyhood, and resolve not to
become a slave to an appetite that is sure to bring infamy upon you. Now
my dear Ralph, take the advice of a friend from boyhood, and resolve not to
become a slave to an appetite that is sure to bring infamy upon you. Now
few, very few know that you drink. You have followed it but a year. It is
growing upon you. Three months ago you would not have drank before
me as you have done to day. This insensibility to my opinion alarms me
for you! You are going into the way of greater temptation. I beg you
strengthen yourself at once against it, for each hour will weaken your power
to do so. Before you all is bright and promising. Do be entreated, my
dear friend, to give it up at once and forever!'

Austin spoke with the warmth of a sincere friend, and with touching eloquence.
Waldron's countenance had undergone various changes during
his appeal to him; but he now replied with a light laugh—

`You are too serious altogether, Ned! I know the evils of intemperance
as well as you do. I should despise myself if I was an habitually intemperate
man. What little I drink never effects me in the least.'

`You said that it makes you strong.'

`So it does!'

`This is an effect. It will lead to more evil ones. This artificial strength
as weakness under a mask. This continual tension of the cord destroys at
last its elasticity.'

`Well, well, my dear Ned, you are no doubt thinking you are speaking for
my good. I ought to be angry with you; for you talk to me as if I was a
regular toper. You had best take orders, for you seem well fitted to preach.
Did you never drink in your life?

`No.'

`Not a glass of wine?'

`Not one.'

`Don't you know the taste of brandy or any spirit?'

`I do not.'

`It seems incredible.'

`Why should it? Did you drink until the last year?'

`No, not spirits, that is true. But then my father you know always had
wine at table, and I always was accustomed to it from a boy with dinner.—
Father you know is a gentleman of the old school; takes his glass of wine
when he sees fit and loves a bowl of punch on Christmas eve.'

`My father never had wine on the table while he lived; and my mother
has educated me in the habits of the strictest temperance. A glass of cold
spring water, Ralph, is more refreshing to my palate than could be the richest
wines of Spain. It strengthens me too. It gives me a clear head and cool
blood. I should fear to touch wine lest it should vitiate that exquisite taste
given me by nature, by which a draught of pure water is rendered so delicious.
'

`Yes, mister Ralph, said Roundy with zeal; `I'd rayther have a pull at a

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gallon bucket o' molasses and water in a summer's day when I'm sweaty
than at all the Champaigny and Derrymysherry as was ever uncorked.'

Both of the young men laughed at the sally of Roundy, and shaking hands
in a friendly manner they parted, Edward saying that he should probably
go to New York also in two or three weeks to go into business.

`That ar' young gen'leman, Master Nedward,' said Roundy, after they had
walked on a little ways together,' seems to me to be fairly on the broad road
to ruination. I'm beflambygusted, if I didn't see a young pimple seed a takin'
root on the eend o' his nose. Then the little fine red veins like scarlet
thread as looks as if thar was brandy in 'em, is beginning to sprangle on
his cheeks. If he han't been takin' to liquor ony a year he's got ahead
pretty fast.'

`It's a pity, Roundy, a great pity. I've seen it growing upon him for some
time. It is only lately he has openly carried a flask with him. It is a great
pity and I fear the worst after he arrives in New York where he will be
daily tempted. He has six thousand dollars to put in with his uncle, and it
he was steady he might become a rich and useful man.'

`It's nat'ral he should like it, master. He learned to taste the critter out
o' cut glass bottles at his father's table. It he becomes a drunkard his father
may thank himself.'

`Mr. Waldron is a gentleman who has been a high liver, though never an
intemperate man. In giving Ralph wine he never supposed he was creating
a taste which in manhood would crave stronger stimulant. Children
may love wine only, but when they become men and women they will have
alcohol.'

`Thank my father and mother!' ejaculated Roundy with a congratulatory
sigh; `thank 'em for not bringing me up to love champaigne at dinner. If
I'm a temperate man, Master Ned, I owe it to my broughten up and your
good example!'

`Yon had, it is true, little temptation to rich wines at your father's humble
table, Roundy,' said Edward, smiling. `I can join with you in saying
that I owe much to my parents also for my love of temperance. I can remember
how my father, heaven bless his memory! inculcated upon my
mind a disgust for drunkenness. He came into the house one day when
we lived in the city and taking me by the hand said, `Edward come with
me a moment.' He led me out the back-way into a lane in which was a
tippling shop. He conducted me to a spot where lay a' man on his back
half in the gutter half on the side walk. His clothes were in rags and covered
with filth. His face was a scarlet black hue bloated hideously and
turned upward towards the hot sun. His mouth hung half open and the
saliva dribbled and puled down his cheeks upon his collar in a manner disgusting
to behold. He was wholly incapable of helping himself and lay
there with a dull idiotic laugh upon his marred visage, trying to sing snatches
of vile songs with drawling, broken words, intermingled with drunken
oaths so thickly articulated that I could hardly understand them. While I
was looking at him with horror and disgust, a monstrous hog came rooting
along and seeing him obstructing his way began to smell over him with his
snout. When the drunkard saw him he stared at the brute with a half-conscious
look and began to talk or rather to try to talk to it and expostulate
with it for disturbing him. The hog, however, kept on smelling round him
and then began to thrust his snout beneath him, under his back, as if to
move him out of the way. But a fearful shriek from the drunkard showed
that it was with other intention. The wretches hand, the fingers of which
he had cut by falling on broken glass as he was kicked out of the shop where
he had been made drunk, lay under him, and the brute smelling the blood
had rooted under his back and seized it with his jaws. My father with difficulty
caused the fierce and blood-tasting brute to release his hold, which he

[figure description] Page 014.[end figure description]

did taking off with his savage teeth half of the drunken man's hand. I
never saw such a fearful sight—so fearful yet so horribly revolting. The
man was taken to the hospital, but died from madness induced by the bite.
Since then I have had a horror of every thing like drinking. Besides, Roundy,
such terrible effects as these, it is sinful in the sight of God to brutalize
ourselves and cloud our intellects. “No drunkard,” says the word of Truth,
“no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God.” It not only degrades us
here, but destroys us body and soul forever. Poor Ralph!' He placed his
hand upon his heart and sighed deeply.

`Poor, poor Ralph!' groaned Roundy, laying his hand solemnly upon his
stomach.

They now came near the house. It was an imposing mansion situated
upon a sloping lawn and half hid in a grove of noble oaks, elins and chestnuts.
Upon the portico stood a middle-aged lady with traces of great beauty
in her countenance and the still elegant tournure of her figure. She was
the mother of Edward Austin, a widow left with a good estate and this only
son to inherit it. By her side stood a young lady of nineteen summers,
for from her sunny looks all her years seemed to have been summers. She
was rather small in figure yet exquisitely graceful, with a fair and brilliant
complexion, in which were blent the most delicate tints of rosy health. Her
profile was faultless; no Grecian chisel ever fashioned one so purely classical.
Her motions were like those of a happy bird and each movement
was an artless display of natural grace that enchanted, bewildered, and took
captive first the eye and then the heart. When in repose her countenance
had a pensive cast, and her deep blue eyes were sad and drooping as if tears
hung upon the lids invisibly. At such moments, perhaps, she was most lovely.
But when she was animated her eyes were full of dancing smiles, and
a chorus of wild Cupids were heard in the tones of her joyous laughter.—
Add to this a sweet voice full of all the tones of music, a gentle and loving
heart, a cultivated mind balanced by good sense, and a small white hand of
which she was very proud and ought to have been so, for it was a charming
toy for a lover to play with, (and she had a lover!) and a bewitching little
foot that seemed made expressly for waltzing and not for walking, and
the portrait of Anne Laurens is complete.

`You are a loiterer to night, Sir Angler,' said this maiden as Edward approached
the steps; for she remained upon them to receive him demurely
by the side of his mother, although if she had obeyed her heart, she would
have flown to meet him when he first came in sight. As she spoke, a soft
rich color deepened the pure tone of her complexion, and the lids of her
conscious eyes fell, half concealing their expression, as if she feared she
should betray too much of her heart in them.

`Yes, Anne,' answered the young man modulating his voice into a cadence
of singular delicacy and tenderness, that spoke to the bystander a volume
of love between them; for need we say that Edward was her lover to whom
we have alluded? The week before they had plighted troth. Anne was a
sort of cousin to Edward—that, is, she was the daughter of a second cousin
of his mother! a remote relationship, but one which the young man resolved,
when he first saw her, he would spare no pains to make amends for
by making her his wife it he could teach her to love him! Teach her?—
Anne needed no tutor other than young master Cupid; for she fell irrevocably
in love with her handsome fourth cousin, while he was so busily letting
himself fall in love with her. Anne's father was a merchant in Pearl
street, in New York, and a man of wealth; and as he was the executor of
the estate of which Edward was the heir, he was under the necessity from
time to time of visiting Mrs. Austin. The last time he came, which was
about four weeks before our story commences he brought Anne with him;
and at Mrs. Austin's earnest solicitation left her to make a visit of a month.

[figure description] Page 015.[end figure description]

This month the cousins had made the most of in bringing their little affair
to a crisis, and before it was three quarters out they had come to a very satisfactory
understanding with each other. At first they resolved to keep it a
secret from every body till Edward, who was about to establish himself in
business in the city, should be settled; but eyes, lovers' eyes in particular,
are arrant tell-tales. They could not look at each other without letting every
body see that they loved one another. So Mrs. Austin was not long
mystified, and when Roundy roundly accused `Master Nedward' of being
`dead smit' with Miss Anny, Master Edward saw it was useless any longer
to keep a bird concealed in a glass cage, and he made a frank confession to
his mother of the true state of affairs, and was made happy by receiving
her sanction.

`Yes, Anne,' said Edward, `I have not had much success to day. It is
because you were not with me to select and fix my flies.'

`That's it, Master Nedward,' exclaimed Roundy, `Didn't I see how fast
you cotch'd the trout when Miss Anny baited the hooks. Lor! the fishes
seemed to fight for the pleasure o' being caught with the flies what she put
on. It shows their taste!'

`Roundy, how can I ever repay you?' cried Miss Laurens, laughing.—
`What shall I ever say to such a perfect compliment?'

`Say to Master Nedward, (coz he'll do anything you say! (say he must
take me to York with him when he goes.'

At this request all laughed very heartily except Roundy, who looked perfectly
grave aed serious.

`Why, Roundy, they'd put you in the Museum and advertise you as `the
fat gentleman,' said Anne.

`And I should have to keep an omnibus for you to move about in, Roundy,
' said Edward.

`I could be of service to you though, Master Nedward. I've stuck to you
through life since you dived into the trout pool and saved me from drownin',
and as you saved me you've got to keep me with you. You know I axes
no wages, ony the love of waitin' on you. Who'd brush your coat I warn't
to know? or your shoes? or go your arrands? or call you in the mornin'?
or keep you company when you fished? or—' Here Roundy burst out
a crying and couldn't proceed for his sobs.'

`Well, Roundy, as you are anxious to go with me, I will take you,' answered
Edward. `I have been thinking of it before this; for I knew you
would hardly consent to part with me.'

`I may go with you?' eagerly demanded Roundy, brightening up and
smiling through his tears.

`Yes.'

`Oh be joyful, Nicodemus!' he cried, leaping up and dancing round after
the fashion of a waltzing elephant. `I'm goin' to York with Master Nedward!
“Get out de way Ole Dan Tucker,

You're too late to come to supper!”'

`Why, Roundy, you're beside yourself.'

`No, Master Nedward, I'm beside you, and mean to be beside you as long
as I live. You've made me happy. Hurray! hurray! out o' the way old
Bruce, and don't look so as if you thought I was makin' a fool o' myself. I
don't watch trout in a basket as if they had wings and would fly off through
the woods! I'm going to York and you are goin' to stay at home—that's
the news and put it in your eye and cry.'

`Edward, Roundy must have been drinking,' said Mrs. Austin, as he went
skipping off towards the kitchen, followed by Bruce, to make known his
good fortune to the servants.

`No, The poor honest fellow is only intoxicated with joy. I am glad he
is so easily pleased. I shall find him serviceable in the city, I dare say!'

[figure description] Page 016.[end figure description]

`I can't bear to her you speak of leaving, my son,' said Mrs. Austin.

`It is quite time I should be in active business. I have been a year and a
half from college doing nothing.

`Nothing? You have given me your society and in a thousand ways contributed
to my happiness. Is this nothing. You have been pursuing a thorough
and useful course of reading. You have acquired the German and
Italian, and elegantly ornamented the rooms with handsome oil and water
color paintings from your own pencil? Is this nothing, my son?'

`I feel that I ought to have done more. But I am content, dear mother,
if you are! I am reconciled to it in the feeling that if I had perchance not
have been an idler at home, I should not have been the proud and happy
possessor of this sweet hand!' As he spoke he took the hand of Miss Laurens
and pressed it to his lips with passionate devotion. They then entered
the dwelling and after passing the evening in social conversation, varied by
the music of the piano and guitar, Edward playing the first while Anne
sang with the latter. Mrs. Austin assembled the household, opened the
family Bible and read a chapter, a sentiment or two in which, after it was
ended, led to a grave and pleasing discussion between Edward and his
mother. A beautiful hymn was then sung, in which all joined, including
Roundy, who was no mean vocalist. The clear manly voice of Edward,
mingling with the rich tones of the maiden, rising above yet blending with
the mellow notes of the mother, created a flow of divine harmony singularly
appropriate to the hour and the occasion. The hymn being concluded
all humbly knelt down, and Edward, with his prayer-book before him,
offered up devoutly that excellent and comprehensive prayer composed for
evening worship in families; a prayer that embraces all we need ask, whose
petitions cover all our wants.

CHAPTER III.

[figure description] Page 017.[end figure description]

We have, in the preceding chapter shown our hero surrounded with the
happiness of `home.' We have witnessed the manly integrity and virtuous
firmness of his moral character, in his interview with Ralph Waldron; the
kindness and affability of his nature in his unreserved intercourse with
Roundy; the excellency of his character as a son; the purity of his devotion
as a lover. We have seen him honored and loved, and the centre of the
hopes of two beings, the dearest to him upon earth. We have borne testimony
to his high principles as a man; and the temperance, truth and sound
judgement he has manifested, have irresistably commanded our respect, and
created in our breasts a strong and sincere interest in his future career.—
Towards Waldron, his companion from boyhood to manhood, a young man
of equal social rank, of equal education, wealth and advantages, our sentiments
have instinctively been of an opposite description. Instead of commanding
our esteem, he has inspired in us emotions of dislike. Yet two
years, nay a much shorter period, before he would equally have challenged
our regard and enlisted our interest. He had been, from his eighteenth up
to his twenty-first year, the confidential clerk of his relative, Mr. Ward, a
distinguished merchant in New York. He had gone with him, after he had
graduated at that early age, at the request of his father, who desired him to
become a merchant. As he had stated to Edward, he had assiduously devoted
himself to his business, and won the confidence of his uncle. But
being ambitious of political distinction, to which he saw that the bar was
the chief avenue, on arriving at maturity he left his uncle, returned to his
native place, a beautiful seat situated half a mile below that of Mrs. Austin,
and entered upon the study of the law with that assiduity which had characterised
him in his mercantile pursuit. Edward being at this time at
home with his mother, their youthful intimacy was renewed, and Waldron
was then worthy of the friendship of his noble friend. But this
intimacy was destined soon to be impaired, and finally to terminate. Ralph
had hitherto never freely indulged in the rich wines which it was his father's
habit to have daily upon his table. He was temperate in the midst of temtation.
But one day a fashionable young gentlemen from New York, a
cousin, came to pay him a visit of two or three days. This person's name
was Witt de Wittelsey, and he prided himself much upon his aristocratic
connections. He was exceedingly dissipated, and had nearly expended a
few thousands which had been left to him. Ralph, though he had seldom associated
with him in New York, was gratified to see him, and they went hunting
together, De Witt having brought a very fine blooded setter with him.
It chanced, that being fatigued with rambling the woods, they came to a
spring, at which Ralph proposed they should drink and refresh themselves.

`Water? Pah!' ejaculated the young roue. `I have something here,
Ralph, better than that,' and taking from his pocket the very flask Ralph had
afterwards shown to Edward, he shook it with a gratified air. `This is my
pocket pistol; I never go without it. One gets such detestable liquor in the
country, a fellow can't trust himself ten miles out of town without preparing
himself; come, Ralph, here is a bumper!'

`Is it wine?'

[figure description] Page 018.[end figure description]

`No, pure Cogniac!' and he offered the brimming gobblet to the lips of
his friend.

`Thank you, De Witt; but I have never drunk any thing stronger than
wine.'

`Then you are a rare bird. Wine! pah! That will do for the women.
Men drink something stronger! come, try it. It won't hurt you. It is of
the color of ruby, and as smooth as olive oil. It was imported expressly for
a clique, and is confoundedly expensive; but then it is nectar! Come, I'll
set you the example; your health, Ralph!'

And the young man emptied the silver cup which formed a cap to the
flask, at a draught.

`Now try one; it puts life into a fellow! come!'

`I had rather not. If it was wine I should not object, though I drink wine
only at dinner.'

`If you are accustomed to drink wine, Waldron,' said Wittelsey, determined,
now that he saw his friend was a temperate man, to commit him to
intemperance, (for the drinker would have all drinkers,) `it won't harm you.
One glass of brandy is not worse than two of wine! It will do you more
good. Take it, or, by Jupiter, I shall feel hurt, and take it as a slight. It
looks as if you was condemning me for what I conceive there can be no
harm in!'

`Well, I will to oblige you, De Witt,' answered Ralph with hesitation;
and receiving the silver cup, he placed the draught to his lips; but finding
it too strong he would have declined it, but his friend carefully pouring a
part back into the flask filled it up with water from the cool spring, degrading
God's free gift to the basest uses, and then the victim received it and
drank it off. De Witt eagerly watched his countenance.

`Is'nt it very fine? I am sure you will never drink flat wine after having
tasted this?'

`It is certainly very pleasant.'

`I am surprised you never have drank brandy! I am proud in having
the honor, my dear boy, of initiating you. You see I would'nt have urged
you; but I knew how you would like it.'

It is too strong to be agreeable; I prefer wine.'

`You will soon get used to it; a mere tickle of the palate. To enjoy it,
you should take it pure. Water spoils it.'

The two young men proceeded homeward. Before they reached the
house a shower came suddenly up and wet them thoroughly. Water does
temperate folks no harm, but it is doubtless, dangerous to drunkards; for
Wittelsey gave the shower as an excuse for taking something inside.—
Ralph having once drank was the more easily persuaded to repeat the
draught, especially as his friend assurred him, upon his honor, that unless
he did so he would catch cold. But Ralph had had many a severer ducking
than that without any injurious effects, and yet he had taking nothing
to prevent them. De Witt's arguments were, however, irresistable. They
were, virtually, `we must either take a cold or take a drink. A drink is far
pleasanter, so let us take a drink. We can't take two things at once!

Waldron drank with him, and without water, his cousin contending that
they had quite enough of that fluid without, to put any in. So he drank
with him, that he might not take cold; for there is a wonderful plausibility
in the argument of a man who would tempt a temperate friend to drink;
and he who listens is too apt to see their plausibility, and finally to sacrifice
his own judgment and experience to the sophistry which seeks his downfall.
So Ralph listened, drank, `and became as one of them.' Would he
have yielded so easily if his father's wine cup had not gone before his cousin's
goblet? From that day, during Wittelsey's visits, he constantly drank
with him; for he loved the taste, and the after effects of the brandy upon

[figure description] Page 019.[end figure description]

his blood and brain. It inspired him with an exhilaration of spirits and
feeling, that was novel and delightful. It had upon him the effect, in some
sort, of opium, and he enjoyed the state of high excitement and animation,
which it induced. As this condition, however, passed away, with the exhaustion
of the alcoholic virus, and left a corresponding flatulency of feeling,
and dullness of mind, attended with a strange, indescribable weight upon
the thoughts, he sought to restore the pleasing state, and revise his
agreeable emotions by new draughts. Wittelsey had made him a present
of the flask, and had promised to send him a demijohn of the brandy; a
small one filled with his `nector,' being always carried by him in his trunk!
After he left, Waldron took his gun to go to the woods, his flask in his
pocket. He did not go so much to hunt, as to heat himself by exercise, and
induce that fatigue, which would render, as he knew by experience, a pull
at his brandy-flask, so refreshing and agreeable. After half an hour's walk,
he sat down, fatigued, beneath a tree, and filling his cup drank it full, and
with a sensible emotion of pleasure, that would have rejoiced the heart of
Wittelsey, and made heavy the soul of the philanthropist.

For a young man, first deliberately to fatigue himself to enhance the enjoyment
of a draught of strong waters, and then retire to a secluded spot in
the forest to drink alone, merely for the false animation and fatal exhiliration
he knew it would produce, was a strong proof that the habit of intemperance
had fastened upon his life with the fangs of an adder. It had truly
became a habit, short as the time was in which he had formed it; for in four
days any habit may be formed and interwoven into the character of the
man, be the habit good or bad. Every person's experience will bear testimony
to the truth of this assertion. The habit which Ralph had formed
while Wittelsey was with him, was irresistably confirmed upon him in his
absence; for he had said within himself, when he discovered he was liking
brandy, `I will drink it only while he is here, and with him; when he is
gone I shall abandon it!'

But resolutions that are not strong in the temperate hour, are not likely to
be after brandy has passed the lips; it takes a place within the man, and
pleads for itself. Out of the mouth the monster has no power; within it,
he is a subtle arguer on his own behalf; and strong in virtue and moral
power, must he be who can resist him, and stand in his integrity as he stood
before.

A second time Ralph emptied his silver cup, and then proceeded homeward.
As he was coming out of the wood, he beheld coming along the path,
with his rods and wires, Edward Austin. Suddenly he coloured, stopped
and looked around, as if he would have avoided the meeting. His looks
were confused and guilty. Already he began to be sensible of his degradation.
He was sensible he was considerably under the influence of what he
had taken. He stopped and asked himself if he were not steady enough in
step, and sober enough in countenance to meet his friend, without his suspecting
any thing. He summoned all his self possession, and being conscious
that his step was a little rambling, he affected a lameness to conceal
any disposition to stagger, for the path had been for some minutes a little
tremulous to his eyes, as he looked before him. Assuming then a bold,
confident air, and thrusting a peppermint under his tongue, (a secret taught
him by Wellesley to conceal the smell of spirits on his breath,) and limping
a little, supported by his gun, he encountered his friend, whom, before this,
he had never feared to meet eye to eye.

`Ah, Ralph, have you hurt yourself?' asked Edward kindly.

`Yes—a little; it is a mere trifle. Going a fishing, my boy?' he continued
in a higher tone than was needful.

`Yes. But why have I not seen you of late?'

`Why, De Witt, you know, has been with me, and—'

[figure description] Page 020.[end figure description]

`But he has been gone a week!'

`Yes; fine fellow he is, Ned you should have cultivated his acquaintance.
You'd liked him!'

`I did not like him. He seemed a very dissipated and unprincipled
young man. His countenance showed intemperance in strong lines.'

`De Witt takes a little—a little, but he don't make a practice of it; oh
no! He's a d, d,—I mean a confounded cle—clever fellow! I did'nt mean,
to swear, oh no!'

Edward, by this time had discovered that his friend was under the influence
of liquor, though trying to disguise it. His heavy, and yet restless eye,
his flushed cheeks, and slightly thick articulation, confirmed this condition.
He also inhaled the brandy-tainted air which he breathed. He was transfixed
with surprise, and regarded him in silence, with mingled pity and
amazement. Waldron saw, and rightly interpreted his looks. He would
have said something to defend himself, but fearing he should betray his condition
farther if he spoke, for he was a ware he had not the full control of
his words, he pretended to feel pain in his foot, and screwing up his features,
he said he must hurry home! From that time he avoided Edward's
company, from a dread of exposing his habit to him, and from an instinctive
feeling that he was not fit to associate with him. Drinkers like the society
only of their kind; for they reproach not one another for alcoholic breaths,
and have charity if a brother staggers, or utters his words thick. Edward,
after meeting him two or three times more, and each time detecting the
signs of indulgence, gradually withdrew from his society; and latterly when
they met it was usually with a cold bow, or a few indifferent words. In
the meanwhile the habit grew upon him. He neglected his studies, for
drinking kept him constantly in a restless condition of the mind, and application
became impossible to him. He took to reading books that would entertain
and divert him from himself, and when these failed he would drink
a glass of brandy and water. His habit he kept as secret as he could. He
never let any one see him drink; and being always careful to disguise his
breath, and to avoid society when at all overcome, he passed unsuspected,
except by those who, like Austin, were not deceived in the appearances
with which the wretched man, who finds his habit growing upon him, vainly
and ingeniously strives to hide it from the world.

Finding that he could not apply himself to study, he determined to return
to business; and, conscious that his habit was becoming fixed, he hoped,
(all hope so at first!) that he would be able to break it off by change of
place and associations. He, therefore, opened a correspondence with his
uncle, and Mr. Ward being wholly ignorant of the alteration in his habits,
gladly embraced the opportunity of taking him in as a partner. Ralph had
a thousand dollars, a legacy from an aunt, and five thousand given him by
his father. This sum he intended to add to the capital. The day following
the interview with Edward by the trout stream, he accordingly departed by
stage for the metropolis.

Edward had also determined to embark his fortunes in the city. He had
at interest five thousand dollars, which with some other sums, amounted to
about six thousand dollars. The villa with the land which he would inherit
on his mother's decease was worth about fifteen thousand dollars, though
it was still lying under a heavy mortgage, which had been existing since
his father's death. To lift this weight from his inheritance, and increase
his patrimony, he resolved to become a merchant. He had written Mr.
Laurens to this effect, and received in reply such encouragement as determined
him to proceed to the city with as little delay as possible. Anne
Laurens left with her father a day or two after his return from his angling
with Roundy, while Edward promised to follow in a few days. Mr. Laurens
had no suspicions that his daughter had lost her heart during the four

[figure description] Page 021.[end figure description]

weeks he had left her with Mrs. Austin; although the knowledge of the
facts would have gratified him a little; for he was well acquainted with the
correct character and integrity of principle of Edward, and had more than
once thought over the prospect of a match between him and his daughter.
Perhaps, it was partly to favor this wish that he planned this visit to the
residence of Mrs. Austin.

They had driven but a little while along the road, after leaving the
grounds of Hart-Hall, when Mr. Laurens assuming a dry manner, but with
a slight twinkle in his eye, said

`Well, Anne, you have had a pleasant visit.'

`Yes, father.'

`Mrs. Austin is a fine woman.'

`Yes; I like her very much.'

Having thus answered, Annette trembled, turned pale, and then blushed
very deeply; for, thought she the next question will be about Edward.—
And the next question was about Edward.

`You saw something of her son? A fine young man. How do you like
him?'

`Pretty well, sir!'

`Eh? only pretty well. Methinks he is a young gentlemen that might
make an impression upon young ladies' hearts. Only pretty well?'

`I think he is pleasant, sir!'

`That is better!'

`He is very agreeable at times.'

`Is he?'

`Quite so. He converses well.'

`Does!'

`I have hardly known a person who can render himself so agreeable.'

`No!'

`He is very handsome too!'

`Ah, ah!'

`And intelligent.'

`And any thing more?' inquired her father with a quizzical glance out of
the corner of his eye.

`He told me he loved me,' she replied, blushing yet laughing and effecting
a bewitching simplicity.

`He did, ah?'

`Yes sir,' she answered demurely.

`And what did you reply, hey?'

`That I also loved him very much.'

`The devil you did!'

`Yes sir!'

`So you like him pretty well?'

`Pretty well, sir!'

`Ah, you minx, you have been making hay, I see! Well, you have behaved
like a good girl. So he told you he loved you, and you told him so!
What more happened?'

`We promised to love each other till death, and be married as soon as
my dear papa would give his consent.'

`Very well put in. So you and Edward are engaged, Anne?' said he seriously.

`Yes father,' she answered in a faltering voice, her eyes drooping, and
sweet blushes mantling her cheeks.

`Then I am happy. I wished this very thing. Edward is a noble young
man, and will make you a good husband.'

Anne embraced her father with grateful affection, and her eye brightened
with pride and happiness.

[figure description] Page 022.[end figure description]

`But you will have to be content with being lovers a while,' he said gravely.
`Edward has to get into business, and establish himself before he thinks
of marrying.'

`How long before it will be, do you think, dear father?' she asked demurely.

`A year!'

`A year? that is an age!' she said, clasping her hands together with surprise.

`Well, be a good girl and perhaps we may say six months,' he said smiling.
He received a kiss upon his cheek for this; and when he said it might
be no more than three months, he was nearly smothered.

CHAPTER IV.

[figure description] Page 023.[end figure description]

In one of those handsome streets that diverge from Broadway, in the
vicinity of the Park, stands an edifice of an exterior somewhat imposing.
It was the aristocratic mansion of an old family now represented only by a
single person—a young gentleman with whom the reader will become acquainted.
The house once stood alone in dignified exclusiveness, but blocks
of dwelling-houses were now closely joined to it on either side, amid which
it stood a grand old representative of the architectural luxury and elaborate
taste of the days anterior to the revolution when the wealthy colonists aped
royalty. It was three stories in height with a deep front, ornamented by a
row of pilasters, with ionic capitals and crowned by an architrave loaded
with ornamental carving. There was a row of lion's heads along the entablature,
and above each window upon an arch was a grotesque human
face. Over the massive and imposing door way was a coat of arms supported
by griffin's claws and surmounted by a baronial coronet. The whole
facade of the house was of a dark brown colour to which in many places
time had added stains of inky black. Altogether this edifice was noble and
striking to the eye and spoke eloquently of the days of by-gone colonial
grandeur.

The full moon, an hour high, was shining in broad, clear radiance upon
its front, lighting up each detail of the architecture with the distinctness of
noonday, when two young men, who had been walking leisurely down the
side of the street which lay black in shadow, (half the street being buried
in the dark shadows of the opposite blocks of houses) stopped over against
it and looked carefully around them.

`There is no one coming down now! Let us cross over,' said De Witt
Wittelsey.

`I had rather wait till those people pass who are coming up!' replied
Ralph Waldron.

`They are only labourers or persons you need'nt care for!'

`It may be, possibly, men I employ in the store. I can't be too careful.
I would rather wait, Wittlesey and go in some other night when the streets
are darker!'

`It is confoundedly light to-night that is a fact!'

`A person entering any house, the opposite side of the way, could be
recognized from people who might be at their drawing-room windows on
this, as plain as in sun-light. As I go with you merely from curiosity, another
night will do as well. I would'nt commit myself by being seen; for
you know I am a business man now!'

`True. But there is no danger! There, those men have got up by. Let
us dart quickly across the way and we shall be in before any one can observe
us!'

Waldron glanced anxiously round at the curtained windows of the houses
near him to see if any one was looking forth, and then taking his friend's
arm hurried across the street with him. They hastened their steps as they
emerged from the shadow that lay upon the half of the street into the
moonlight, on coming into which Ralph felt as if a cloak hitherto concealing
him, had fallen from his person, exposing him to the observation of every
eye; for he was conscious that he was about to enter the door of the

[figure description] Page 024.[end figure description]

most fashionable and dangerous gambling house in the city; though its true
character was only suspected by the world. They reached the door when
De Witt grasping the massive knocker pulled at it as if at a bell handle
when the door as if by invisible means was thrown open and as suddenly
closed upon them. Waldron found himself in a neat vestibule, a small
porter's room between the door and the hall beyond. The only occupant
was a young man with very long light hair sweeping upon his shoulders in
a rich profusion of curls,a light coloured mustache and imperial, effeminate
blue eyes, a fair white complexion and a look of the most decided profligacy.
His hand which was fair and delicate was loaded with massive rings,
and a ponderous cameo set in massive gold adorned the fine linen folds of
his shirt bosom. He was dressed in the height of fashion with an eye-glass
attached to a fine-linked gold chain, a costly watch secured by a second
chain of gold being thrown round his neck and crossing his vest, which
was of blue silk spangled with stars in silver thread. He wore a gorgeous
Chinese dressing robe instead of a coat, and was seated at his ease upon
an arm chair with one foot elegantly booted stretched upon a little marble
table that stood before him. He was, altogether, externally, the personification
of effeminate foppery. His air and attitude were in perfect keeping
with his appearance. But the expression of his countenance was in remarkable
contrast with the gaiety of his attire. It was youthful and fair, but
upon every lineament was impressed the stamp of finished vice. There
was no crime that that young man would not seem to be ready to commit.
His was a countenance neither to be loved nor trusted.

`Ah, De Witt,' he said in a thin, violin-like voice, `You are here late!'

`It is but nine o'clock, Virril!' answered Whittelsey in an indifferent tone,
and with the air of a superior holding the person he answered in supreme
contempt. The young man accustomed to such treatment from the rich
and fashionable young gentlemen who resorted there, betrayed no other
feeling at his manner than by slightly compressing his sharp lips and moving
the corners of his mouth with a scarcely perceptible sneer of hatred.

`Who have you with you? Does he wish to enter his name?'

`No. Merely a friend?'

`He will be trusted?'

`I should not have brought him unless I knew so,' replied Wittelsey
haughtily. `Open the door and let us into the hall!'

`You have not given the recognition! It is required of all who enter
whether known to me or not!'

`True!' and De Wttt drawing off his glove placed the fore finger of the
left hand upon a gold eagle that was fastened upon the centre of the little
marble table. Letting it rest there a moment he carried the finger to his
lips and then resumed his glove. Waldron saw all this with surprise.

`This is the sign of the initiated' answered Wittlesey laughing. `None
pass beyond that door who cannot give it, unless they enter with some one
of the club!'

The door-keeper then threw open the inner door and they entered a
spacious central hall panelled and ornamented with very elaborate architecture.
It was brilliantly lighted by a solar lamp placed upon a pedestal at
the foot of a broad flight of stairs with a massive balustrade. The doors
on each side of the hall were open and Waldron saw that the apartments
were elegantly furnished. Young men were assembled in one playing at
cards on polished tables lighted from above by suspended solar lamps, and
in the other, on the left hand was a large table covered with crimson velvet
and surrounded by a polished brass edge, around which several persons
were gathered playing at some game the name of which he was ignorant.
In the hall two or three young men were walking up and down and smoking.
All were fashionable in their dress, dissipated in their air; and

[figure description] Page 025.[end figure description]

among them Waldron recognized many of the `young bloods' of the town.

Ralph accompanied his guide through both of these rooms, lingering
around the tables to observe the players and watch their varied success.

`We will now go into the upper apartments,' said De Witt after they had
made the tour of these rooms, the luxury and magnificence of which surpried
Ralph; while he was astonished to find such a concourse of young
men of the first families assembled here to play.

Ascending the broad stair-case which was brilliantly lighted, they came
to a second hall with doors leading into four apartments. There was but
one of the doors open through which they passed into an elegant billard
room where some half dozen young men were engaged at play, wearing
gay Turkish smoking caps, and white linen jackets. Every thing aroung
was luxurious and in perfect taste. There was neither disorder nor rudeness.
Ottomans about the room invited to voluptuous indulgence. The
floor was covered with a thick carpet that gave back no sound to the tread,
and the windows were richly curtained. Upon a marble stone at one end of
the room stood a silver salver with cigars upon it, for the use of the players.
There was no appearance of wines in the room, nor had Ralph seen any
below.

`There are three more doors leading from the hall; are these gaming
rooms also?' he enquired.

`Not all of them. One is a private chamber belonging to the young
gentleman, Frank Frankton, who keeps the establishment. You know that
he inherited this house with a handsome fortune which he soon ran through
with, and then mortgaging his house, he ran through with that. It all went
in play, of which he was passionately fond!'

`And how is it then that he dwells here and is proprietor of this splendid
establishment?' asked Ralph with surprise.

`I will tell you. He used to assemble his friends to play in his prosperity,
having two rooms fitted up for this purpose; the apartment below stairs
on the right where you saw them playing at brag, and this we are now in.
Here he lived as a bachelor in great luxury and expenditure; and here his
friends, and well-dressed black-legs whom he at times associated with on
account of their deep playing, won his money from him and ruined him.—
Finding his situation desperate he resolved on converting his house into a
suit of magnificent club gaming saloons. You see what is! It has made
his fortune! Every player pays him a certain sum for the privilege of playing,
while each frequenter here subscribes yearly one hundred dollars.—
His subscriptions amount to ten thousand dollars a year. He reserves to
himself also a certain per centage on all winning over a hundred dollars.—
He does not play himself much, as his passion seems to find food in the
management of such an establishment!'

`Does he pay no tax to the city?'

`Not beyond the value of his property. The city are ignorant of its
character. It is supposed still to be a private house where Frankton as
formerly receives a good many friends to play and make merry. In fact it
is known a club meets here occasionally! Its true character is suspected but
by few!'

`Yet I have heard of its existence as a fashionable gambling house.'

`Yes, I know some people pretend more is carried on here than appears;
but the public have never had their attention drawn to it. Every thing, you
see is managed by a thorough system. Frankton is a perfect prince in his
way. You saw the caution with which we were admitted. No man can
enter here who is not a friend of some one of the club!'

`Your account surprises me! It is a magnificent affair, and I can well
conceive must attract all the rich young men in town!'

[figure description] Page 026.[end figure description]

`You see here the very elite!' answered Wittlesey with a patronizing
look of ostentation.

`Was that the proprietor below?'

`Who?'

`The pale young man with the gold chains and rings who let us in?'

`He!' exclaimed De Witt with a tone of contempt, `Frank would little
thank you for that compliment. The fellow you saw there has been a black-leg
of the first water. He is Frankton's door-keeper and his tool to do
whatever he chooses to command. I don't know why he employs such a
wretch. But there is some mystery in it which leads Frankton to retain
him about his person. He is vulgar and malicious. Why, the fellow can't
even read or write his own name. The only literature he knows any thing
about is contained within a pack of Crehore's cards. I said he could not
read. Yes, he can read private marks in cards, and so skilfully, that no
man will set down to a table with him, not even his own friends. So as
nobody would play with him, perhaps out of pity to keep the devil from
starving Frankton has taken him into his employ. He makes a good door
keeper, and so does a dog!'

Waldron smiled at this conclusion of De Witt's description of Virril.—
They then together crossed the hall to a door which was closed. Waldron
thought he heard the clashing of steel within; and the door being thrown
open at a knock given by his companion, he found himself in an apartment
in which two young men, striped to their waists, were boxing with gloves,
and two others engaged in a spirited fencing bout, with foils. The room
was hung with boxing-gloves, caps, foils,small swords; and even spears and
sabres, formed a part of its garniture.

`This is the fencing chamber!' said Wittlesey. `You see Frankton has
every thing to please all tastes!'

`It surprises me that I find no drinking here. I have seen nothing like
wine in any of the rooms! Is it possible so gay a resort as this can be governed
by temperance? Yet I am pretty confident some of the young bloods
I have seen here are a little elated!'

`Temperance does not exactly govern here, but it is regarded very strictly
by Frankton, who will not allow any one to remain here after he becomes
at all excited or noisy with wine. This is a rule of the place and is never
set aside for any one. Tipsy people are noisy and cease to be respectable;
and Frankton will have every thing respectable and quiet as you see. Come
with me. There is one other room to enter!'

The young merchant yielded himself to his guidance and they stopped
before a door, which was partly open, and from which came sounds of music.
De Witt threw it wide and Waldron stood still transfixed with astonishment.
The room was large and grand in its height and breadth, and
seemed to be panelled with mirrors multiplying themselves a thousand
times to an infinite series of distances on all sides of the beholder. Between
the mirrors were slender silver-gilt columns wreathed with vines and
flowers exquisitely wrought, and colored to the life. The ceiling was exquisitely
painted with classic groups of figures, and from it was suspended
a gorgeous pyramid of crystal, blazing like the sun with a hundred lights.
The floor was polished and ornamented with stars and borders in mosaic,
the pieces being of colored wood. At one end of the magnificent room
was a raised plat-form laid with rich carpets and surrounded by seats covered
with crimson piled velvet and presenting somewhat the appearance of
a private box at the theatre. In it were two beautiful girls not more than
eighteen stationed before a white marble slab which run across the da's like
a counter, upon which was displayed numerous decanters of sparkling
wines, and silver and cut-glass goblets in dazzling array. There were

[figure description] Page 027.[end figure description]

beautiful little chased vases containing some cigars, others gilded paper-lighters
for the smokers, and upon small silver plates were strewn the minute pellets
of cachou aromatise for diffusing an aromatic flavor in the mouth and removing
the taste and smell caused by smoking and drinking. These young
girls were dressed in the most attractive manner, and used their smiles and
glances as lavishly as Don Cupid shoots arrows. They were engaged in
waiting upon several young men, handing them the fragrant cigars on the
vase, or gilded paper-lighters, or the little silver plates of aromatic pellets
with a grace, and air and wreathed smiles and bewildering glances that
were in themselves dangerous enough, without the drinking and gaming, to
ruin half the young men. Yet Waldron could see that they were but automatons,
beautiful animated automatons, giving to all and each who approached
their tempting mart, the same charming smiles, the same fiery
glances! There were at least a dozen young men gathered around this
shrine of Bacchus, where Venus presided with such dangerous fascination,
the most of them with ruby goblets in their hands!

`I had no need' thought Ralph, `to ask if wine were kept here! There is
the crystal throne itself, of the sparkling god!'

Music filled the air around him, and he looked to discern whence it came,
but the source was invisible. It came in rich swells, a burst of instrumental
sounds like the rising wind, and then lulling, was succeeded, in the calm
that followed, by the richest female voice Waldron had over listened to!—
Even the groups about the marble counter of wines ceased their talk with
each other and suspended their gay speeches to the fair attendants, to listen.

`This is a wonderful place, Wittlesey,' said Ralph after the voice and the
instruments, mingling and commingling, had died away as if receding in the
infinite distance which the eye seemed to behold in the perspective of the
mirrors.

`I knew you would be gratified to visit it, or I should not have urged you,'
answered Wittlesey blandly. “Come, my dear fellow what will you take?'
Wittelsey to do him justice blushed as he asked the question; for he knew
that Ralph had before refused him saying that now he was in business with
his uncle he was going to give up all spirits. This was true. Waldron had
been in the city now one month and during that time, although with great
difficulty, and hourly longing for his habitual draught, he had succeeded in
keeping temperate. But the struggle had been a painful, a severe one, and
for the first two weeks he thought he should have to yield to his habit.—
Several times De Witt had sought his company, and in vain tempted him,
laughing at his temperance! Waldron, however, was naturally resolute and
strong-minded and remained firm with the strongest inclination to comply.
His resolution was a reproach and reproof upon the habits of De Witt, and
he felt it to be so. Therefore he secretly determined he would make him
break it. There was a deeper motive. Wittelsey was greatly embarrassed
for want of money, and he knew his cousin had six thousand dollars!

`If I can make him drunk I can make him play!' he said to himself, and a
truer saying was never uttered. He who drinks will play—will—nay there
is nothing he may not be capable of doing; for reason is no longer at the helm
and the man is driven by every wind of temptation whither his tempter leads,
or his inflamed passions urge him onward. Wtttelsey reasoned well, and
from deep knowledge of human character. `If I can make him drink I can
make him play. If he plays I win his money!'

From that moment he ceased not to press his attentions upon Waldron
He began by taking him to the different libraries, the Historical rooms, and
other like places to lull suspicion and with the pretence of introducing him to
what was worth seeing and visiting, now that he intended to reside in town.
He then, gradually approaching the point, suggested a visit to the B*** Club.

[figure description] Page 028.[end figure description]

`Merely a visit! just to drop in and see the place. It is truly a curiosity!
You ought not to miss the opportunity of seeing it. Go with me to-night!'
were the words of his tempter.

So Waldron consented and went with him as he desired. But he was not
a man of that pure and high order of morals which characterized Edward
Austin. Ralph was in some sense a man of the world, and saw no great harm
in fashionable amusements. He always liked the theatre, and had played
billards. He felt no compunction in visiting a gaming house out of curiosity,
provided he was not seen entering it. His only fault of character, he
believed, had been his drinking, and in conquering and subduing this he feared
no danger from any other source. He, therefore, did not feel shocked at
the scenes he beheld here. They rather surprised but interested him.—
Edward Austin, on the contrary, in the purity of his heart, and in the uprightness
of his moral feelings would have shrunk from mingling in a scene
where the laws of manly virtue and moral excellence, which alone make a
man dignified and honorable, were suspended.

CHAPTER V.

[figure description] Page 029.[end figure description]

Wittelsey repeated his invitation to Waldron, to join with him in a
glass of the sparkling brandy that stood before them upon the marble table.

`I have positively resolved never to drink any more spirits while I am in
business.'

`You won't refuse wine! That I know you are accustomed to. Vestris!'
he cried, addressing one of the young girls, each of whom had a soubriquet,
borrowed from some popular danseuse, `the decanters and goblets! The
silver ones,' he said in a low tone. `We can drink more in them, as they
don't tell us how deep we go, like the glass. You will take wine with me,
Ralph?'

`I have no objections to wine, though I drink wine only at dinner.'

Wittelsey's eye sparkled as he filled his friend's glass, for he well knew
that he who will take one glass will take two,and he who will take two has.
by so much, weakened his resolution, and will be easily induced to take another;
and he who will drink three glasses of wine, will not be found difficult
to tempt to brandy, especially if he has had once a love for it.

Wittelsey reasoned well, as the bad always do when they would tempt
the upright to fall. Ralph being accustomed to wine at his father's board,
thought no evil of it. He did not hesitate to indulge in it moderately.—
Brandy was all he feared. He was ignorantly making a distinction without
a difference. For he who loves wine will come to love that which is stronger
than wine. The habit of drinking wine insensibly deadens the sensibility
of the taste and palate, and to excite them, three glasses become necessary,
where one will not produce the requisite sensation. But three or
four glasses, the wine-drinker finds will give head-aches and dullness, and
by and by, fail to produce the pleasant results they once did. To deepen
his draughts drowns his senses and besots him! His only alternative is to
substitute brandy for wines! This is a necessary and irresistable change.
He finds one glass of brandy produce the effects that formerly was caused
by a single glass of wine, and which now half a dozen glasses fail to bring
about. He therefore drinks brandy, moderately at first, and oddly enough
begins to think that, by the change, he has taken a great step towards temperance
and moderation. But the one glass of brandy must of necessity, by
and by, become two, and two, three, till the senses become paralysed, the
eyes inflamed, the nerves unstrung, the hand trembling, and the whole man
lives by an artificial stimulant irregularly and wildly coursing through the
veins, arteries and nerves, in place of the pure fluids! feeding upon his very
life, while it communicates life, in it are the seeds of death!

If Ralph had never known wine, he would have been less easily tempted.
It was because he drank wine he was prevailed upon by De Witt in their
hunting excursion to try brandy. It was because he drank wine he now
consented to partake with him! He drank and then the two young men
turned away to walk up and down the room. At the farther extremity,
seated in a luxurious arm chair, of purple velvet, borded with gold lace, and
surrounded by three or four young men who were lounging upon ottomous
and smoking, sat a person whose appearance at once struck Waldron. He
was a man about seven and twenty, of great height, and symmetry of person,
and an exterior of the most polished refinement. He had a noble

[figure description] Page 030.[end figure description]

head, covered with dark locks, and a profile whose outline was the perfection
of manly beauty. His complexion was olive, and relieved by black
arched eye-brows, and large whiskers, coal black and glossy as a raven's
wing. His eyes were large, bold and penetrating, and his lips expressed decision
and strength of character. But the expression of his face was repulsive.
It was cold, heartless, artificial. He looked like a man relentless in
hatred, and one who would arrive at whatever he aimed by any means
whatsoever. This, however, was the deeper expression of his countenance
and which he did not care should be read; and his habit was to conceal the
true malignity of his character beneath smiles, and gentle-toned words, and
an address of the most finished courtesy. Altogether he was a splendid
looking man of the world, whose appearance in any Court ni Europe would
be distinguished. He was in a sort of undress, being attired in a green silk
robe, and wearing a green velvet cap with a gold braid and tassel. He was
smoking a Turkish pipe, ornamented with chains of gold, and the fragrant
perfume of the scented scarfalatti tobacco which he gracefully expelled from
his lips, as he reclined in his luxurious chair with a lordly dignity, filled the
room. He was talking familiarly with the young gentlemen around him,
who were among `the first blood' of the city; men who would have disdained
to acknowledge him in society, or recognize him in the street.

`Who is that person, Wittelsey?' asked Waldron, as they arm and arm
slowly approached him.

`Not to know him is to be yourself unknown! why, my dear fellow, that
is the immortal Frankton!'

`The proprietor of the establishment!'

`The same!'

`I have seen this man in the street, and I thought he was some foreign
Count.'

`You could'nt compliment him more efficiently than by telling him so.
He is as vain as— but I will introduce you. That's what I came this way
for.'

`Thank you, no!' answered Waldron, `I had rather not make his acquaintance.
'

`You must. Every stranger who enters here has to be presented to Lord
Frankton. You need not fear his recognising you in the street. He knows
well you would out him, and has too much pride to expose himself to insult.
So you are safe.'

`Ah, Mr. Wittelsey, you are welcome to-night,' said Frankton, without
moving from his attitude of negligent ease, and fixing as he spoke, his gaze
from under his dark brow closely upon the face of Waldron; that is, addressing
the one, and bending his eyes upon the other!

`Allow me, Frankton, to introduce to you my particular friend and relation,
of whom you have heard me speak, (in uttering these last words he
looked significantly at the proprietor,' who caught and returned his glance
with a look of secret intelligence.) it is Mr Ralph Waldron. Ralph, this is
Mr. Frankfort, the proprietor of B— Halls!'

Ralph bowed, and so did Mr. Frankton, with a polished movement of his
body, and a gracious smile. He then half rose and said, `Mr. Waldron I
am happy to have the honor of seeing you. Allow me to introduce you to
my friends here.'

Frankton then presented him to each, and gave him a seat by his side.

`Wine!' cried the proprietor to a black servant in livery, who stood behind
his chair.

It was brought upon a silver waiter, and placed upon a bronzed pedestal
before him in the midst of the party.

`Music!' he commanded in an imperious tone. All at once came swelling
from some invisible source, the sweet instrumental music that had

[figure description] Page 031.[end figure description]

before enchanted Waldron. The same rich female voice rose and mingled
with the instruments. He listened with delight, his senses bewildered and
entranced. In the meanwhile, Frankton had filled the half dozen glittering
goblets before him.

`Mr. Waldron, we drink your health!' said he, as he raised a goblet,
motioning to the others to do the same. Ralph drank with them, and then
was engaged in conversation by Frankton, who had a wonderful talent to
please when he chose to do so. He knew well whom he had before him.
From De Witt he had had all his history previously; and the latter had
bargained to give him one thousand dollars of the six thousand he hoped to
strip him of, to have the use of his rooms to play in. Waldron was therefore
in a net, against the toils of which temperance alone could give him
power. But alas! temperance, that temperance which is temperate in all
things he had not known! Wine to him was destined to become his ruin,
as completely and as surely as brandy could have done. Frankton knew
his man! Not an incident of his life or character that would aid his cause
had Wittelsey omitted in his prior interview with the proprietor.

`If he drinks wine he is ours!' was the positive reply, at the time, of the
experienced Frankton.

The wine was freely passed by the subtle and dangerous accomplice of
Wittelsey, who remaining apparently indifferent, and having left the game in
Frankton's hands, did not, for fear of exciting suspicion, or afterwards incurring
any reproaches from his victim, once urge him to drink. But with
the pressing politeness of the fascinating Frankton, the free companionship
of the young gentlemen around, the swell of ravishing music, the voluptuous
excitement of the novel place in which he found himself, with the magiclike
and enchanting splendor of the surrounding scenes, all conspired to
cause him to yield up his senses to the delusive joys of the hour.

As a skillful physician watches the pulse of his patient to know the moment
when to check the flow of blood from his opened veins, so the experienced
proprietor of B— Halls, watched the countenance of his victim, to
know precisely the moment to withdraw the bottle! As accurately as the
physician knows the powers and uses of his medicines, so he knew what
wines produces certain effects. Frankfort knew that a glass or two of sherry,
followed by champagne and brandy, by making him dull and sullen,
would produce a condition that would soon unfit his patient for play. He
knew that a sparkling tumbler of champagne first administered, then madeira
in one or two draughts, followed again by champagne, would produce precisely
that condition most favorable to his object; a high degree of elevation
of the spirits, extravagantly generous feelings, social amenity, and an open,
acquiescing and reckless spirit, that yields itself with mad gaiety to any
temptation that may be presented. Such was the condition of Waldron,
when Frankton catching the eye of Wittelsey with a peculiar look of satisfaction,
gave a sign for the glasses to be removed.

`Come, Ralph, let us go in and see the players in the next room,' said
Wittelsey, taking his arm.

`Players! I have seen players and plays too, my boy!' answered Waldron,
with his face full of smiles, and looking altogether perfectly happy,
and being what Frankton termed very `prettily tipsy!' `Mr. Frankton, you—
you are a gentlemen! You kee—keep good wine, and d— me if you
an't a gentleman! if any man says to-to the con-con-con-con-con—never
mind the rest o' the word—you know what I mean, my boy—I'll knock him
down!'

The proprietor looked savagely under his thick black brows, as if annoyed
by this equivocal compliment, and Wittelsey hurrying him away, they entered
a room where some young men were betting at roulette. Ralph as he

[figure description] Page 032.[end figure description]

walked, reeled `quite genteely,' swaying a little, but not absolutely staggering.
He was precisely in a fit state to do any thing that was hinted to him;
whether to kick up a row with watchman; tear off door-knockers; change
opposite store-signs, or play! Wittelsey lead him before the costly silvermounted
roulette table, with its green cloth, particolored spots, burnished
and rapidly flying wheel.

`Double O O, red!' drawled, as they came up, a young man with the
thorough gambler's physiognomy, coarse and vicious; and at the same time
with a slender rod, tipped with a silver hook, he swept towards a pile a
stake which had been placed on single O red, by a young man who was the
only one playing.

`What game is this, De Witt?' demanded Ralph tipsily, and waving like
a poplar swayed by a gentle wind.

`Roulette! it is a fascinating game!'

`How is it played?'

“E-lev-en black!' drawled out, syllable by syllable, the gambler, and casting
the while a quick furtive glance at Waldron, and estimating him, to use
an expressive phrase of the `fraternity.' Of Wittelsey he only took notice
by a slight half-nod; for this gentleman was well known there. The gambler,
or `banker,' having pronounced the number, shoved from a pile of gold
by his side, ten eagles, the player having staked upon the `eleven black,'
fifty dollars and won.

`You see how it is played,' answered De Witt. `These upon the cloth in
the black and red coloured checks are certain numbers, duplicates of which
you see are marked within the horizontal wheel in the centre of the board.
An ivory ball is spun from the fingers of the banker as you beheld, and the
wheel being set revolving simultaneously, the ball flies round and finally
rests, when the wheel is stopped, upon one of the numbers in the wheel.—
Now if you place a dollar down upon one of the red squares, say number 7
red, drawn on the green cloth, and the ball on being spun rests on number
7 red in the wheel you are the winner. Otherwise you lose. If you place
your money on O O black or red, it is a law of the game that you win or
lose thirty-six times (I believe it is,) the amount of your stake. I once saw
a hundred dollars win thirty six hundred at this very table on those figures!
Now watch the ball!'

`Ten black!' monotonously sang the banker. `The money is on 9 black.
He loses. If it had been on ten he would have won,' said Wittelsey.

The banker extending his silver crook drew five of the eagles back to his
pile of gold from which he had just before paid them out; but always,
whether wining or losing with the same cold and indifferent look, and repeating
the numbers in the same drawling, disagreeable, sing-song tone.—
Wittelsey was closely and anxiously watching the countenance of Waldron.
He had too much policy to ask to play the friend he intended to ruin. He
was willing that wine should be his ally; and a true and faithful ally it
ever is to the wicked and designing, as they well know. Waldron was just
in that state which requires activity. The artificial fire and hilarity within
him struggled for external action. He wanted to exhaust the feeling in outward
excitement. This was the natural effect of undue inward excitement.
Whatever, therefore, that offered him this activity, that promised vent to his
exhiliarating impetus in his blood, he would instinctively and gladly embrace.
There was no resistance, but rather a craving for free exercise and
developement. The drinker at this stage cannot be passive. He must be
doing. He must use his fierce powers. He must give full rein to his extravagant
animation. Hence the midnight bouts with Charlies; the uproarious
songs and mad frolies of homeward going bacchanals; hence the recklessness
with which men rush to the gaming table! Such was the feeling

[figure description] Page 033.[end figure description]

that possessed Waldron. Wittelsey saw it working and struggling for action.
If he had proposed boxing or fencing, Waldron would have here
found an avenue for his surplus flow of spirits. But this was no part of his
scheme.

Without speaking his intention, Waldron in a very dignified manner, all
at once drew from his purse a dollar and placed it after a second tipsy effort
with a slapping emphasis down upon the O O red! Wittelsey saw this act
with a joy he could ill conceal, and the banker observing his looks caught
his eye and slightly vibrated his left eye-lid; for he instantly comprehended
the whole matter. He cast the ball into the wheel and set it whirling.—
Waldron watched the galloping motion of the little ivory coursed around
his revolving circus with an earnest interest. It stopped.

`Double O O Red!' called the man with some surprise.

`By Heaven, Ralph, you have won!' cried Wittelsey. `If it had been a
cool hundred now you would have got $3600 for your stake! You were
born under a lucky star, Waldron.'

`The star spangled banner and I are first cousins, my boy,' answered the
young merchant, gazing upon his friend's countenance with a beaming
smile of ludicrous tenderness. He then began to sing in a mellow voice


`The star of love is beaming,—'

`The wheel waits, Ralph,' said Wittelsey.

`Waits, eh? go it little ivory!' he cried, winking funnily at the banker,
and throwing his arm affectionately about Wittelsey's neck to support himself,
for he swung backward and then forward like a pendulum wrong end
up. `There it is again, double O O black!' said he placing the thirty-two
dollars upon these figures in the black square. The ball went rattling and
clattering around the flying circle and rested upon the answering number
in the wheel.

`Double O O black!' drawled the banker; and rapidly counting out thirty-two
times the amount of his stake pushed it towards him.

We will not follow out in detail this painful scene. Inspired by his two
first brilliant successes, Ralph entered with all his spirit into the play, and
at midnight, after two hours and a half play he was a loser of nine hundred
dollars, for which he, with a heavy heart, for he was now perfectly sober,
gave a check to Frankton; this person always keeping such blank conveniences
in a room at the foot of the stairs, which he used as an office. The
money won from him by the banker was to go to Wittelsey, according to
the contract, the proprietor taking his proportion as bargained for, as well
as the usual percentage.

The next morning Ralph felt more miserable than he had ever felt in his
life. He recalled as well as he could all that had passed, and groaned in
spirit. At the moment of his deepest shame and regret, Wittelsey entered.
Ralph wanted society and hailed his appearance with pleasure. De Witt
seeing how he was, prescribed brandy and water, and sending to the bar,
Waldron being at a hotel, he persuaded him to drink it. He soon felt better,
and the blues of remorse vanished.

From that day Waldron began to descend. He was prevailed by De
Witt to try to recover what he had lost by betting at other games. He alternately
lost and won, but still inspired by the hopes of winning all back he
nightly resorted to Frankton's; nightly drank deeply, and played heavily,
and each night involved himself deeper and deeper. At length he drew
the last dollar from the bank which he had placed there but two months before,
(for only that length of time had he been in the city,) to be used by the

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House whenever the sum should be required for certain contemplated transactions.
At the same time he addressed Mr. Ward the following brief note.

Howard Hotel, Nov. 5, 1842.

`Sir,—Having withdrawn my money from bank, I withdraw myself from
the firm. Ask me for no explanations; for I have none to give. I have
chosen my own course and must abide by it.

Poor Waldron had indeed chosen his own course, and sadly did he abide
by it, as will be shown hereafter.