Lewistown gazette. [volume], August 30, 1850, Image 1

About Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944

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Vol XXXVI —Whole Xo. 1 899,
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Communications recommending persons for
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iSoetrw,
LIFE IS SWEET.
'• <)b, life is sweet!" said a merrv child .
'• And 1 love, 1 love to roam
In the meadows green, 'neath the sky serene—•
Oh ! the world is a fairy home.
There are trees hung thick with blossoms fair,
And flowers gay and bright ;
There's the moon's clear ray, and the sun-lit day,
Oh, the world is a world of light!"
Oh, life is sweet !" said a gallant youth,
As he conn'd the storied page ;
And he ponder'd on the days bv-gone,
And the fame of a former age.
There was hope in his bright and beaming eye,
And he longed for riper years ;
lie clung to life—he dared its strife—
lie felt no dread nor fear.
44 Oh, life is sweet!" came merrily
From the lips of a fair young bride ;
And a happy smile she gave the while
To the dear one by her side.
41 Oh, life is sweet! for we shall live
Our constancy to prove ;
Thy sorrows mine, my trials thine,
Our solace in our love !"
" Oh, life is sweet!" said a mother fond,
As she gazed on her helpless child ;
And she closer pressed to her gladdened breast
Her babe, who unconscious, smiled.
44 My life shall be for thee, my child,
Pure, guiltless, as thou art;
And who shall dare my soul to tear
From the tie that forms a part:"
" Oh, life is sweet!" said an aged sire,
Whose eye was sunk and dim ;
His form was bent, his strength was spent—
Could life be sweet to him ?
Oh, yes ; for round the old man's chair
His children's children clung ;
And each dear face and warm embrace
Made life seem ever young
Thus life is sweet, from early^outh
To weak, enfeebled age ;
Love twines with life, through care and strife,
In every varied stage.
Though rough, perchance, the path we tread,
And dark the sky above.
In every state there's something yet
To live for and to love.
"k Select Calc.
THE
Ci t HOLER'S REV EKE.
RECOLLECTIONS OF A POLICE OFFICER.
A little more than a year after the peri
od when adverse circumstances—chief! y
the result of my own reckless follies—
compelled me to enter the ranks of the me
tropolitan police, as the sole means left me
of procuring food and raiment, the atten
tion of one of the principal chiefs of the
force was attracted towards me by the in
genuity and boldness which I was sup
posed to have manifested in hitting upon
and unravelling a clue which ultimately
led to the conviction and punishment of
the perpetrators of an artistically-contrived
fraud upon an eminent tradesman of the
AV est End of London. The chief sent
for me ; and after a somewhat lengthened
conversation, not only expressed approba
tion of mv conduct in the particular mat
ter under discussion, but hinted that he
might shortly need my services in other
affairs requiring intelligence and resolution.
" I think I have met you before," he
remarked with a meaning smile on dis
missing me, 44 when you occupied a differ
ent position from your present one ? Do
not alarm yourself; I have no wish to pry
unnecessarily into other men's secrets.
"Waters is a name common enough in all
ranks of society, and I may, you know
—here the cold smile deepened in ironical
expression— 44 be mistaken. At all events
the testimony of the gentleman whose re
commendation obtained you admission to
the force—l have looked into the matter
rince 1 heard of yonr behaviour in the late
business—is a sufficient guarantee thai
nothing more setious than imprudence and
folly can he laid to your charge. I have
neither right nor inclination to inquire fur
ther. To-morrow, in all probability, I
shall send for you."
1 came to the conclusion, as 1 walked
homewards, that the chiefs intimation ol
having previously met me in another
sphere of life was a random and unfound
ed one, as 1 had seldom visited London in
my prosperous days, and still more rarely
mingled in ip> society. My wife, how
ever, to whom I of course related the sub
stance of the conversation, reminded ine
that lie had once been at Doncaster during
tlte races; and suggested that he might
possibly have seen and noticed mc there,
fhis was a sufficiently probable ex plana
"otj of the hint, but whether the correct
one or not, I cannot decide, as he never
afterwards alluded to the subject, and I
h'tl nut the slightest wish to renew it.
Three days elapsed before I received
'!"• expected summons. On waiting on
bin, 1 was agreeably startled to lind that
! was to he at once employed on a mission
Licit the most sagacious and experienced
'I detectjve officers would have felt lioii
' • undertake.
2 squares, G mos. $5.00
" 1 year 8.00
A column, 3 mos. 6.00
6 44 10.00
" 1 year 15.00
1 column, 3 mos. 10.00
" 6 " 15.00
44 1 year 25.00
Notices before mar
riages, &c. sl2.
I was about to reply—fur I was sillv
enough to feel somewhat nettled at ihe no
ble lady's haughtiness of manner—that 1
was engaged in the puhlic service of extir
pating a gang of swindlers with whom her
son had involved himself, and was there to
procure front her ladyship any information
she might be- possessed of, likdy to fur
ward so desirable a result; but fortunately
the remembrance of my actual position,
spite of my gentleman's attire, flashed
viv idly upon nty mind; and instead of
permitting my glib tongue to wag irrever
ently in the presence of a right honorable,
I bowed with deferential acquiescence.
Her ladyship proceeded, and 1 in sub
stance obtained the following information :
Mr. Charles Merton during the few
months which had elapsed since the at
tainment of his majority, had very literal
ly 44 fallen amongst thieves." A passion
tor gambling seemed to have taken entire
possession of his mind, and by far the
greater part of his haggard and feverish life
was passed at play. A run of ill luck,
according to his own belief-—but in very
truth a run of downright robbery—had set in
against him, and he had not only dissipated
all the ready money which he had inher
ited, and the large sums which the foolish
indulgence of his lady mother had sup
plied him with, hut had involved himself
in bonds, lulls, and other obligations to a
frightful amount. The principal agent in
effecting this ruin was one Sandford—a
man of fashionable and dashing exterior,
and the presiding spirit of the knot of
desperadoes whom 1 was commissioned to
hunt out. Strange to say, Mr. Merton
had the blindest reliance upon this man's
honor ; and even now—tricked, despoiled
as he had been by him and his gang—re
lied upon his counsel and assistance for
escape from the. desperate position in
which he was involved. The Everton
estates had passed, in default of male is
sue, to a distant relative of the late lord ;
so that ruin, absolute and irremediable,
stared both the wretched dupe and his rel
ative in the face. Lady Everton's joint
ure was not a very large one, and her son
had been permitted to squander sums
which should have been devoted to the
discharge of claims which were now
pressed harshly against her.
I listened with the deepest interest to
Lady Everton's narrative. Repeatedly,
during the course of it, as she incidentally j
alluded to the manners and appearance of j
Sandford, who h:id been introduced by Mr.
Merton to his mother and sister, a suspi- >
eion, which the police papers had first
awakened, that the gentleman in question
was an old acquaintance of my own, and
one, moreover, whoso favors I was ex
tremely desirous to return in kind, Hashed ;
with increased conviction across my mind, j
This surmise I of course kept to myself;
and after emphatically cautioning the la
dies to keep our proceedings a profound
secret front Mr, Merton, I took my leave,
•The name* mentioned in this narrative are,
for obvious reasons, fictitious
iPiEnsjoPHiis)
" Here is a written description of the
persons of this gang of blacklegs, swind
lers and forgers," commenced the commis
sioner, summing up his instructions. "It
will he your object to discover their pri
vate haunts, and secure legal evidence of
their nefarious practices. We have been
hitherto baffled, principally, I think,
through the too hasty zeal of the officers
employed ; you must especially avoid that
error. They are practiced scoundrels;
and it will require considerable patience,
as well as acumen, to unkennel and bring
them to justice. One of their more re
cent victims is young Mr. Morton, son, bv
a former marriage, of the Dowager Lady
Everton.* llcr ladyship has applied to us
for assistance in extricating him from the
toils in which he is meshed. Vou will
call on her at five o'clock this afternoon—
in plain clothes Gf course—and obtain
whatever information she may be able to
afford. Remember to eommuuieate di
rectly with me ; and any assistance you
require shall be promptly rendered."—
With these and a few other minor direc
tions, needless to recapitulate, 1 was dis
missed to a task which, difficult and pos
sibly perilous as it might prove, 1 hailed
as a delightful relief from the wearing
monotony and dull routine of ordinary
duty.
1 hastened home ; and after dressing
with great care—the best part of mv ward
robe had been fortunately saved by Emilv
from the wreck of my fortunes, I proceed
ed to Lady Everton's mansion. I was
immediately marshalled to the drawing
room, where I found her ladyship and her
daughter—a beautiful, fairy-looking girl—
awaiting my arrival. Lady Everton ap
peared greatly surprised at my appearance,
differing, as I dare say it altogether did,
from her abstract idea of a policeman,
however attired or disguised ; and it was
not till she had perused the note of which
I was the bearer, that haughty and incred
ulous stare became mitigated to a glance
ol lofty condescending civility.
44 Be seated, Mr. Waters," said her la
dyship, waving to a chair. 44 This note
informs me that you have been selected
for the duty of endeavoring to extricate
my son from the perilous entanglements
in which he has unhappily involved him
self."
FRIDAY EVEXIXCJ, AtCIST 30, 1850,
amply provided with the resources requi
site for carrying into effect the scheme
which 1 had resolved upon. I also ar
ranged that, instead of waiting personally
on her ladyship, which might excite ob
servation and suspicion, I should report
progress by letter through the post.
" If it should be he !" thought I, as 1
emerged into the street. The bare suspi
cion had sent the blood through my veins
with furious violence. "If this Sandford
be, as I suspect, that villain Cardon, suc
cess will indeed be a triumph—victory !
Lady Everton need not in that ease seek
to animate my zeal by promises of money
recompense. A blighted existence, a voting
and gentle wife by his means cast down
lrom opulence to sordid penury, would
stimulate the dullest craven that ever
crawled the earth to energy and action.
Pray heaven my suspicion prove correct ;
and then, oh mine enemy, look well to
yourself, for the avenger is at your heels ?"
Sandford, I had been instructed, was
usually present at the Italian Opera during
the ballet ; the box lie generally occupied
was designated in the memoranda of the
police ; and as I saw by the bills that a
very successful piece was to be performed
that evening, I determined on beintf pre
sent.
I entered the house a few minutes past
ten o'clock, just after tlte commencement
ol the balle', and looked eagerly round.
The box in which I was instructed to seek
my ruan was empty. 'l'he momentary
disappointment was soon repaid. Five
minutes had not elapsed when Cardon,
looking more insolently triumphant than
ever, entered arm in arm with a pale aris
tocratic looking young man, whom 1 had
no difficulty, from his striking resemblance
to a portrait in Lady Everton's drawing
room, in deciding to be Mr. Merton. My
course of action was at once determined
on. Pausing only to master the emotion
which the sight of the glittering reptile in
whose poisonous fuhls I had been involved
and crushed inspired, 1 passed to the op
posite side of the house, and boldly en
tered the box. ('anion's bark was to
wards me. and I tapped him lightly on the
shoulder. Ho turned quickly routid ; and
if a basilisk had confronted him, he could
scarcely have exhibited greater terror and
surprise. My aspect, nevertheless, was
studiously bland and conciliating, and my
outstretched hand seemed to invite a re
newal of our old friendship.
44 Waters!" he at last stammered, fee
bly accepting my proffered grasp— *• who
would have thought of meeting you here ?"
44 Not you, certainly, since you stare at
an old Iriend as if he were some frightful
goblin about to swallow yon. Really—"
" Hush ? Let us speak together iu the
lobby. An old friend, he added in answer
to Mr. Merton's surprised stare. 44 We
will return in an instant."
44 V hy, what is all this, Waters ?" said
Cardon, recovering his wonted sang fruid
the instant we were alone, 44 I understood
you had retired from amongst us ; were in
fact—what sliail 1 say ?"
44 Ruined—done up ! Nobody should
know that better than you."
44 My good fellow, you do not imagine"—
44 I imagine nothing, inv dear Cardon.
1 was very thoroughly done—done brown,
as it is written in the vulgar tone. But
fortunately my kind old uncle"
Tassgrove is dead !" replied my old
acquaintance, eagerly jumping to a con
clusion, 44 and you are his heir ! 1 con
gratulate you, my dear fellow. This is
indeed a charming reverse of circuuistan-
44 Acs, but mind, I have given tip the
old game. No more dice deviltry for me.
1 have promised Emily never even to touch
a card again."
flic cold, hard eye of an incarnate fiend
—lie was little else—gleamed mockingly
as these 44 good intentions" of a practised
garr.cstcr fell upon his ear; but he only
replied, 44 Very good ; quite right, my
dear boy. But come let me introduce you
to Mr. Merton, a highly connected person
age, I assure you. By the by, Waters,"
he added in a caressing, confidential tone,
my name, for family and other reasons
44 which I will hereafter explain to you, is
for the present Sandford."
44 Sandford !"
44 Acs: do not forget. But allons or
the ballet will be over."
1 was introduced in due form to Mr.
Merton as an old and esteemed friend,
whom he-—Sandford—had not seen for
many months. At the conclusion of the
ballet, Sandford proposed that we should
adjourn to the European Coffee house,
nearly opposite. This was agreed to, and
out we sallied. At the top of the stair
case, we jostled against the commissioner,
who, like us, was leaving the house, lie
bowed slightly to Mr. Merton's apology,
and his eye wandered briefly aud coldly
over our persons ; but not the faintest sign
of interest or recognition escaped him. 1
thought it possible he did not know me in
my changed apparel; but looking back
after descending a few steps, 1 was quick
ly undeceived. A sharp, swift glance, ex
pressive both of encouragement and sur
prise, shot out from under his penthouse
brows, and as swiftly vanished. He did
not know how little I needed spurring to
lite goal we had both in view !
We discussed two or three bottles of
wine with much gaiety and relish. Sand
ford especially was in exuberant spirits ;
brimming over with brilliant anecdote and
sparkling badinage. lie saw in me a
t fresh, rich prey, and his eager spirit revelled
I by anticipation in the victory which he
! nothing doubted to obtain over my 44 ex
cellent intentions and wife pledged virtue."
About halt past twelve o'clock he proposed
to adjourn. llt is was eagerly assented to
i hy Mr. Merlon, who had fur some time
exhibited unmistakable symptoms of im
patience and unrest,
44 Aou will accompany us. Waters ?"
said Sandford, as we rose to depart.
■ 4 I here is, I suppose, no vow registered
in the matrimonial archives against looking
on at a game played by others ?"
44 Oh no ; but don't ask me to play."
44 Certainly notand a devilish"sneer
curled his lip. 44 Your virtue shall suffer
no temptation, he assured."
We soon arrived before the door of a
quiet, respectable looking house, in one of
the streets leading from the Strand ; a low,
peculiar knock, given by Sandford, was
promptly answered ; then a password which
I did not catch, was whispered by hint
through the key-hole, and we passed in.
We proceeded up stairs to the first floor,
the shutters of which were carefully closed,
so that no intimation of what was going on
could possibly reach the street. The apart
ment was brilliantly lighted ; a roulette
table and dice and cards were in full ac
tivity ; wine and liquors of all varieties
were profusely paraded. There wore
about hall a dozen persons present, I soon
discovered, besides the gang, and that com
prised eleven or twelve well dressed des
peradoes, whose sinister aspects induced
a momentary qualm lest one or more of
the pleasant party might suspect or recog
nize my vocation. This, however, I re
jected, was scarcely possible. My beat,
during tite short period I had been in the
lorce, was far distant from the usual haunts
of such gentry, and I was otherwise un
known in London. Still questioning "lances
were eagerly directed towards mv intro
ducer; and one big burlv fellow, a foreigner
—the rascals were lite scum of various
countries—was very unpleasantly inquisi
torial. " J'en repouds," 1 heard Sandford
say in answer to his iterated queries ; and
he added something in a whisper which
brought a sardonic smile to the fellow's
lips, aud indueed a total change in his de
meanor towards myself. This was reas
suring ; for though provided with pistols,
I should, 1 felt, have little chance with such
utterly reckless ruffians as thoe bv whom
I was surrounded. Play was proposed :
and though at first stoutly refusing, I feigned
to be gradually overcome bv irresistible
temptation, and sat down to blind hazard
with my foreign Iriend for moderate slakes.
1 was graciously allowed to win ; and in
the end found myself richer in devil's
money by about ten pounds. Mr. Merton
was soon absorbed in the chances of the
dice, and lost large sums, for which, when
the money he had brought with hint was
exhausted, lie ga\e written acknowledge
ments. Ihe cheating practised upon him
was rt ally audacious : and any one but a
tyro must have repeatedly detected it. He,
however, appeared not to entertain the
slightest suspicion of the 44 fair-play" of
his opponents, guiding himself entirely bv
the advice of his iriend and counsellor,
Sandford, who did not himself play. The
amiable assemblage broke up about six in
the morning, each person retiring singly
by the back way, receiving, as he departed,
a new password for the next evening.
A few hours afterward 1 waited on the
commissioner to report the state of affairs.
He was dt lighted with the fortunate debut
I had made, but still strictly enjoined pa
tience and caution. It would have been
easy, as I was in possession of the pass
word, to have surprised tlte confederacy in
the act ol gaming that very evening; but
litis would only have accomplished a part
of the object aimed at. Several of the
fraternity—Sandford tyrtong the number—
were suspected of offering forged foreign
bank notes, and it was essential to watch
narrowly tor legal evidence to insure their
conviction. It was also desirable to restore,
ii possible, the property and securities of
which Mr. Merton had been pillaged.
Nothing of especial importance occurred
for seven or eight days. (.Liming went on
as usual every evening, and Mr. Merton
became, of course, more and more involved:
even his sister's jewels—which lie had
surreptitiously obtained, to such a depth of
degradation will this frightful vice plunge
men otherwise honorable—had been staked
and lost, and he was, by tlte advice of
Sandford, about to conclude a heavy mort
gage on his estate, in order not only to clear
off his enormous 44 debt of honor," but to
acquire fresh means of 44 winning back"—
the ignis fatuus of all gamblers—his tre
mendous losses! A new preliminary
44 dodge" was, 1 observed, now brought
into action. Mr. Merton esteemed himself
a knowing hand at 44 ecarteit was in
troduced ; and he was permitted to win
every game he played, much to the appa
rent annoyance and discomfiture of tlte
losers. As this was precisely the snare
into which I had myself talleti, I of course
the more readily detected it, and felt quite
satisfied that a 44 grand coup" was medita
ted. In the moan time 1 had not been idle.
Saudlord was 44 confidential!\ " informed
that I was only waiting in London to re
ceive between four and live thousand pounds
—part of uncle Passgrove's legacy—<tnd
then intended immediately to hasten back
to canny Yorkshire. To have seen lite
villain's eyes as 1 incidentally, as it were,
announced my errand and intention ! They
fairly flashed with infernal glee! Ah,
Sandford, Sandford ! you were, with all
your cunning, hut a sand-blind idiot to be
lieve the man you had wronged and ruined
could so easily forget the debt he owed you!
The crisis came swiftly on. Mr. Mer
ton's mortgage money was to be paid on
the morrow ; and on that day, too, I an
nounced the fabulous thousand's receivable
by me were to be handed over. Mr, Mor
ton, elated by his repeated triumphs at
ecarte, and prompted by his friend Sand
lord, resolved, instead of cancelling the
bonds and obligations held by th.e conspir
ators, to redeem his losses by staking on
tiiat game his ready money against those
liabilities. This was at lirst demurred to
with much apparent earnestness by the
winners ; hut Mr. Merton, warmly sec
onded by Sandford, insisting upon the con
cession, as he deemed it, it was linallv
agreed that ecarte should be the game by
which he might hope to regain the fortune
and peace of mind he had so rashly squan
dered ; the last time, should he be success
ful—and was ho not sure of success ?—he
assured Sandford he would never again
handle cards or dice. lie should have
heard the mocking merriment with which
the gang heard Sandford repeat this reso
lution to amend his ways— when he should
have recovered back his wealth !
The day so eagerly longed for by Mer
ton and the confederates—bv the spoilers
and their prey—arrived, aud I awaited
with feverish anxiety the coming on of
night. Only the chief conspirators—eight
in number—were to be present; and no
stranger except myself—a privilegel owed
to the moonshine legacy I had just received
—was to be admitted to this crowning tri
umph of successful fraud. One only hint
I had ventured to give Mr. Morton, and
that only under a promise, 44 on his honor
as a gentleman," of inviolable secrecy. It
was this :— 44 Be sure before commencing
play to-morrow night, that the bonds and
obligations you have signed, the jewels you
have lost, with a sum in notes or gold to
make up an equal amount to that which
you mean to risk is actually on the table."
He promised to insist on this condition. It
involved much more than he dreamt of.
My arrangements were at length thor
ougltiy complete ; and a few minutes past
twelve o'clock the whispered password ad
mitted me into the house. An angry alter
cation was going on. Mr. Merton was
insisting, as 1 had advised, upon the exhi
bition of a sum equal to that which he had
brought with him—for, confident of win
ning, he was determined to recover his
losses to the last farthing ; and although
his bonds, bills and obligations, his sister's
jewels, and a large amount in gold and
genuine notes was produced, there was
siiil a heavy sum deficient. 44 Ah, by the
by," exclaimed Sandford, as I entered,
44 Waters can lend you the sum for an hour
or two—fur a 4 consideration.' " he added
in a whisper, 4> it will soon be returned."
44 No, thank you," 1 answered coldly.
•' 1 never part with rav money till I have
lost it."
A malignant scowl passed over the scoun
drel s features, but he made no reply. Ulti
mately it was decided that one of the fra
ternity should be despatched in search of
the required amount. He was gone about
hall an hour and returned with a bundle
ol notes. They were, as I hoped and ex
pected. forgeries on foreign hanks. Mr.
Merlon looked at and counted them, and
play commenced.
As it went on, so vividly did the scenes
recall the evening that had witnessed my
own ruin, that 1 grew dizzy with excite
ment, and drained tumbler after tumbler of
water to allay the fevered throbbing of my
veins. The gamblers were fortunately too
much absorbed to heed inv agitation.—
Merton lost continuously, without pause or
intermission. The stakes were doubled,
trebled, quadrupled ! His brain was on
fire ; and he played or rather lost with the
recklessness of a madman.
44 Hark ! what's that ?" suddenly ex
claimed Sandford. from whose satanic fea
tures the mask he had so long worn before
Merton hail been gradually slipping. 44 Did
you not hear a noise below
My ear had caught the sound, and 1 could
better interpret it than he. It ceased.
*' Touch the signal bell. Adolphe," add
ed Sandford.
IV ot only the play but the very breathing
of the villains was suspended as they lis
tened for the reply.
It cante. The answering tinkle sounded
once—twice—thrice. 44 All right!" shout- j
ed Sand ford, 44 proceed ! The farce is
nearly played out."
I had instructed the officers that two of
them, in plain clothes, should present them
selves at the front door, obtain admission
by means of the password 1 had given
them, and immediately seize and gag the
doorkeeper. I had also acquainted them
with the proper answer to the signal ring
—three distinct pulls at the bell handle
communicating with the first tloor, Their
comrades were then to be admitted, and :
lhr\ w 're all to silently ascend the stairs, j
Sen Series Vol. t—Xo. !♦?.
and wait on the landing till summoned by
me to enter and seize the gamesters. The
hark entrance to the house was also secure
ly hut unobtrusively watched.
One only fear disturbed me ; it was lest
the scoundrels should take alarm in suffi
cient time to extinguish the lights, destroy
the forged papers, and possibly eseape by
some private passage which might, un
known to me, exist.
Housing myself, as soon as the play was
resumed, from the trance of memory bv
which 1 had been in some sort absorbed,
and first ascertaining that the handles of
my pistols were within easy reach—for 1
knew I was playing a desperate game with
desperate men—l rose, stepped carelessly
to the door, partially opened it, and bent
forward, as if listening for a repetition of
the sound which had so alarmed the com
pany. To my great delight the landing up
stairs was filled with police officers—silent
and stern as death. 1 drew back, and
walked towards the table at which Mr.
Merton was seated The last stake—an
enormous one—was being played for.—
Merton lost, lie sprang upon his feet,
death-pale, despairing, overwhelmed, and
a hoarse execration surged through his
clenched teeth. Sandford and his associ
ates coolly raked their plunder together,
their features lighted up with fiendish glee.
" Villain < —traitor!—miscreant!" shriek
ed Mr. Merton, as if smitten with sudden
frenzy, and darting at Sandford's throat :
" you, devil that you are, have undone,
destroyed me !"
" -No doubt of it," calmly replied Sand
ford, shaking oil his victim's grasp ; " and
I think it has been very artistically and
effectually done, too. Sniveling, inv line
fellow, will scarcely help you much."
Mr. Merton glared upon the taunting
villain in speechless agony and rage.
" Not quite so fast, Cardon, if you please,"
I exclaimed, at the same time taking up a
bundle of forged notes. "It does not ap
pear to me that Mr. Merlon has played
against equal stakes, for unquestionable this
paper is not genuine,"
,4 Dog !" roared Sandford, " do you hold
your life so cheap ?" and he rushed to
words me, as if to seize the forged notes.
I was as quick as he, and the levelled
tube of a pistol sharply arrested his eager
onslaught. The entire gang gathered near
us, ilaming with excitement. Mr. Merton
looked bewikleredly from one to another,
apparently scarcely conscious of what was
passing around him.
" Wrench the papers from him!" screamed
Sandford, recovering his energy. " Seize
him—stab, strangle him !"
" Look to yourself, scoundrel !" I shout
ed with equal vehemence. " Your liour is
come ! Officers, enter and do your duty !"
In an instant the room was filled with
police ; and surprised, panic-stricken, par
alyzed by the suddenness of the catastrophe,
the gang were all secured without the slight
est resistance, though most of them were
armed, and marched off in custody.
Three—Sandford. or Cardon, (but he
had half a dozen aliases,) one of them—
were transported tor life; the rest were sen
tenced to various terms of imprisonment.
My task was effectually accomplished. M v
superiors were pleased to express very
warm commendation of the manner in
which I had acquitted myself; ami the
first step in the promotion which ultimately
led to mv present position in another branch
of the public service was soon afterwards
conferred upon me. Mr. Merton had his
bonds, obligations, jewels, and money re
stored to him ; and, taught wisdom by ter
rible experience, never again entered a
gaming-house. Neither he nor his lady
mother was ungrateful for the service I had
boon fortunate enough to render them.
PROGRESS OF IMPROVEMENT. —•• .Mo
ther," asked a six foot gawky, after two
hours of brown study, •• what did you and
dad used to do when he came a Yourtin
you ?"
" Good airtli and seas ! what do von
mean Jededia V
"Why f went a courtin* last Sunday
night—l went to Deacon Doolittle's to see
Peggy, and she told me I didn't know
how to court. 1 asked her to show me
how, and says she. *• Ax your inarm."
So now 1 want to know what you and
father did."
"La ! suz ! Whv. Jed, we used to set
by the fire and eat roast turkey and min -e
pics, and drink cider, and watch the crick
ets running round the hearth."
" Good gracious i times ain't as
ucsd to was, mother, that's sarlain ; I was
all slicked up to kill and looking tariu"
sertimpslms, and the only thing Peg gin me
was a raw pickle."
Lvrtc.r FISH.—A salmon weighing nine
pounds, was captured a short distance
above town by a young man named .Mil
ler, in the following singular manner:
The lish made a leap after a finnv strag
gler of a " smaller fry," and found him
self lodged in a rifllc or shallow place, *
where he was discovered and struck by a
stone from the hands of Miller, (who ap
pears to be a good shot,) and while floun
dering about, stunned, was easily captured.
The young man disposed of hispriae at a
shilling a pound, which yielded him
sum of $1 08 ets. for his trouble, 1 uis.
we think, comes near to * 4 shooting shad
with a rail !" — Has iabur* 7;i/ 7/g. ,i<\;