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'"iZ".' AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY NEWSPAPER. . f?
"Vol. V. New Uloomliclcl, 3Pji IFolwiiiiry 7, 1871. IVo. G.
Is Published Weekly,
At New Blooinfleld, Tenn'a.
FRANK MORTIMER.
sunscnirTios terms.
OJrU DOLL All mil YEAR!
CO Ccwfs ford Month; 40 Cents
for 3 Month 8,
IN ADVANCE.
The Lost Son.
A GROUP of flashily-dressed men stood
in tlio sitting-room of 'Wilson's Ex
change tlion (1834) tlio principal hotel in
San Francisco pulling their after-breakfast
cigars and engaged in lively conversation,
fully half of which was sustained by ono of
the number who, as it appeared, had just
arrived from tlio diggings.
"Has Morrison Flat grown any sinco I
was there last summer?'' asked ono of the
party.
" Ycb, a groat doal," replied the gentle
man from tho interior. "A great many
now buildings have been put up, most of
them flrc-proof brick or stone. Thcro arc
more miners, and they're doing better than
ever rich strikes till you can't rest. Dust
is plenty and freely circulated, and tho boys
are all doing well when they attond to
business."
"That's good. And how long aro you
going to stay with us this timo, Tom?"
"A week or ten days perhaps a fort
night. I left the house in charge of Char
ley Williams, and you know he's ono of tho
most faithful men in tho business."
" O, then we'll see a good deal of you.
Drop in this afternoon or evening you
know tho way, and will bo well treated."
" Thank you, I'll do so with ploasuro."
The others having taken their departure,
Tom Rcdburn took a scat in tho rear part
of the room, lighted a fresh cigar, and
leaned back in his chair with ail air of
leisurely enjoyment. Ho appeared to bo
about thirty-five years old, a little over
medium height, and strongly built. His
eyes were black and deep set, features palo
and regular, waving hair, heavy beard and
mustache of jet black. He was elegantly
dressed, and sported a magnillccnt diamond
ring and pin, and a massive fob-chain, to
which was attached one of Tucker's costli
est watches. His manner was eaqgind
courteous Tom Redburn prided himself
upon his gentlemanly demeanor but a
little coarseness would occasionally crop
out in his conversation, the result of his
habitual association with rough and reck
less characters. The expression of his
countenance was pleasing ; and an unso
phisticated observer would have taken him
for a gentleman of wealth and liberal tastes,
unincumbered with business cares. But
there were thoso who, watching him as he
sat there smiling through the wreaths of
blue vapor that curled about his head, com
pared him to a tiger crouching for a fatal
spring.
lie had not long been seated, when a tall,
elderly gcntloman, of dignified but care
worn aspect, approached and accosted
him.
"Excuse me, sir, but I hoard Morrison
Flat montioned in your conversation a fow
minutes ago. Do you reside there ?"
" Yes sir," replied Tom, rising and pla
cing a chair for the old gentleman. " Bo
seated, sir, Can I be of any service to you
up that way?"
" I wish," said the old man, "to obtain
some information, which you cau perhaps
furnish me. Do you know a lawyer at
Morrison Flat namod Leighton ?"
" Lawyer ? Leighton ?" said Tom, musing
ly ; then as if a sudden thought had struck
him, "O yes j you mean Walter Leighton?"
"Yes, Walter Leighton. What is he
doing, and what are his circumstances ?"
" Well, he is doing very little good, and
lils circumstances are what I would call
rather precarious. If you have any claim
against him you might as well put it in the
fire, or at least lay it away for a good long
spoil."
" It is true, then. My poor boy I I heard
that he had fallen into dissipated course,
and the fact that he has not written home
for more than a year, and tho strangely re
ticent and despondent tone of the last letter
we received, confirmed the report. Still I
could not, and cannot yet, believe that
Walter is irretrievably fallen. You do not
think he is beyond recovery ?" The old
man's voice quivered, and ho raised his
eyes appearingly to Tom's face.
"Ono, no, not" responded Tom, evi
dently moved by tho sight of tho old man's
distress ; " I don't mean to say that he is
anything ro bad as that. Tho fact is,
Walter's been in a hard streak of luck for
somo time and has got discouraged ; but ho
has good stuff in him, and brains enough to
carry him through when ho onco gets start
ed on tho right track again. Walter's a
gentleman, sir. I spoke too hastily at first
I would not havo hurt your feelings for
tho world,sir ; but I did not know you were
his father." Tom's voico and manner
showed that his sympathies were touched.
" O, thank you for so much encourage
ment," said tho old man, taking Tom's
hand and pressing it warmly. "I will
savo my boy yet. I am not, however, his
father although for years ho has been to mo
ns a son, and I fondly hoped that ho
would stand to mo in tho stsnd of my own
jpour boy, whom I drove from home by my
cruelty twenty three years ago."
Tom started.
" Twcnty-thrco years ago !" ho repeated
in a tone of surprise ; and bonding his eyes
eagerly upon tho old man, ho secmod to
await further revelations.
"Yes, twenty-three years," continued
tho old man, drearily. " It is a long timo
for a man to mourn his first-born and only
son, not knowing whether ho is alivo or
dead not daring to conjocturo what may
havo been his fate if dead, or what may bo
his condition if alive. Ho was a fine, hand
some manly boy. I was proud of him, and
his mother idolized him. In an evil hour
I was led tobcliovo him guilty of a grave of
fence. Without taking sufiiciont pains to
ascertain the facts, I charged him with tho
crime, and, regarding his solemn protesta
tions of innocence as signs of impenitence
and depravity, I treated him with tho ut
most severity even his mothor's earnest
entreaties failed to soften mo towards him. I
was then a hard, proud man ; ho had
wounded my pride, and I was rosolvod to
punish him. Yet God knows his punish
ment was light compared to what I was
made to suffer."
The old gentleman paused to wipo the
tears from his furrowed chocks, and to re
strain the emotions which threatened to
overcome him. At length he said :
"Pardon me for wearying you with tho
story of an old man's sorrow. I forgot that
it could have no interest for you."
" Go on, I beg of you, sir," said Tom,
who seemed to bo strangely affected.
"Your story interests me very much
more than you can imagine"
Tho old gentleman proceeded.
" My poor boy boro manfully for a timo
the harsh discipline to which I subjected
him, but always protesting against my
cruelty. At length ho suddenly disappear
ed. I was troubled at this, which I had
not expected, but I kept my fears to myself
and tried to comfort myself with the
thought that ho would soon tire of the
wretched life I was sure ho must lead, and
return to claim his father's forgiveness and
protection. My wife, however gave way
to tho most violent grief, and, although
she refrained from reproaching me in words
hor sorrow continually accused me of having
robbed her of her darling.
" Not long after his flight I learned that
my boy was innocent of tho offence for
which I had punished him. My pride and
solf-complacency wore at ono vanquished.
My remorse was extreme I would have
given worlds to clasp my noble boy for
whom my former admiration was now re
doubled in my arms and ask forgiveness.
But the moment I was assured of his inno
cence I know he would never return to me
of his own accord.
" I immediately, however, took energetic
measures to bring him home. I advertised
for him in the leading papers of every
Btate in tho Union. I wrote to relatives
and acquaintances far and near, and to the
police authorities of the principal cities,
offering a large reward for his return, j
made several journeys in the hope of meet
ing with or hearing of him ; but all in vain.
During all these years I have not heard any
tidings of him, nor obtained the slightest
clue to his fate.
" His mother's grief and mine was partly
assuaged, about throe years after his de
parture, by the birth of a daughter, who has
been to us all we could have hoped or
wished ; and when, somo years later, the
widow of a dear friend in dying committed
her son, Walter Leighton, to my care, I
took him into my household as a substitute
for the son I had lost, reared him as if he
had been my own. His conduct justified
my confidence in him, and the brilliant tal
cuts which ho early displayed were a source
of satisfaction and prido to mo. When he
had completed his studios and been admit
ted to tho bar, I was surprised and grieved
to learn his determination to try his fortuno
in California, and only gave a reluctant
consent in tho hope that after a year or two
of travel and advonturo ho would settlo
down more contendedly to tho practice of
his profession. It was not until after his
departure I learned that a partial engage
ment existed between him and my daughter
Alice, and that his migration was promp
ted by tho romantic notion that ho must
achicvo his own fortuno before demanding
tho hand of an heiress in marriage
"My wifo never abandoned tho hopo
that her own son was yet alivo, and lattorly
sho was strongly impressed with the idea
that ho was in California. Before her
death, which occurred a few months sinco
sho exacted from mo a proniiso that I
would seek him here. It is loss with the
hope of finding hiinthanof rescuing Walter
Leighton that Alice and I havo made the
voyage hither ; yet it may bo God's will to
restore to mo my son. How it would ro
joice my old heart to find him, an honorablo
and useful man ! but whatovcrho might bo,
I would willingly give tho remnant of this
old life for tlio privilego of throwing myself
at his feet, and saying " Thomas Goldbrook,
your father asks your forgiveness for tho
wrong lie did you so many years ago !"
Tho old man bowed his head and wept.
As for Tom Redburn, his naturally palo
checks became almost ghastly ; his breath
camo in short quick gasps us if ho wero
strangling; liis hands gripped tho arms of
his chair until the blood almost started
from his finger ends ; his heavymustacho
scarcely hid tho tremor of his lips, and the
eyes that had often looked into tho muzzle
of levelled pistols without blonching, wero
strangely clouded. Accustomed as lie was
to control his emotions under all circum
stances of surpriso or peril, ho found it
difficult on this occasion to resume his self
command. His strong will triumphed,
however ; and when Mr. Goldbrook, having
ovcrcomo his outburst of grief, again look
ed up, ho beheld Tom Rcdburn's face as
placid as a spring morning.
" It is perhaps foolish to ask tho ques
tion," pursued Mr. Goldbrook, "but it can
do no harm havo you over 'met or ! hoard
of a man in this State named Thomas
Goldbrook ? Ho was in his thirteenth year
when ho loft homo, and if alivo must now
bo near twenty-six. He had black eyes
and was thought to roscmblo mo but I
am sadly changod from what I was then."
Tom Redhurn had expected this question,
and tried to prepare himself for it. Yot he
hesitated and stammered a good doal in at
tempting to answer it evasively, and at
length said :
" Mr. Goldbrook, I find it impossible to
withhold from you the slight ground of
hopo I am able to offer you ; neither would
I raise expectations that may bo disappoin
ted ; you must not, therefore, allow your
self to be excited by what I tell you, for
nothing may como of it. I boliove I have
seen your son."
" Where ? tell me where, that I may go
to him instantly ! O my God ! where is ho?"
exclaimed tho old man, springing to his foot,
and seizing Tom Redburn by the shoulder.
Tom, howevor, laid gentle hold of him and
replaced him in his chair, saying :
" My dear sir, I warned you not to got
excited. I didn't say I know where your
son was, or even that I had seen him only
that I behoved I had scon hiin. Bo salm
now, sir, do."
"Pardon me," said Mr. Goldbrook, "I
could not help it. For years I have behov
ed my son to be dead, and now the faintest
assurance that he yet lives excites me be
yond my self-control. But can you give
mo no clue to his whereabouts?"
" Not at present," replied Tom, " but I
may be ablo to do so soon. I suppose it
was your intention to to visit Mr. Leighton
at Morrison Flat immediately ?"
"Yes I had thought of going thore in a
day or two ; but Alice will remain here for
the present, with a lady friend."
" Then let mo advise you also to remain
here for the present at loast until you hear
further from me. I shall return to Morri
son Flat by this afternoon's boat and I
hope bofore many days to send you some
good news."
" I thought you would remain hero
woek or ten days."
" I have changed my mind. " I return
to-day."
" Why cannot I go with you t"
"It would prevent your meeting with
your son as early as you would if you stay
Here."
" I must stay then. But I havo not yet
learned your name, It was a strango provi
denco that led mo to speak to vou."
Tom drew a card from his pocket-book
wrote upon it tho name "Thomas Rod
burn," and handed it to Mr. Goldbrook,
who looked at it attentively, and exclaim
ed :
II H- 11 i
xicuuurn i wny, mat was my wile's
namo,"
"Indeed," said Torn ; "a curious coin,
cidenco. Wo may perhaps traco a relation
ship."
"I should think so, only that my wifo
had no near relatives of that namo living.
However, wo will inquire into it by-and-by.
I must now go and give Alico tho informa
tion I have gained from you. I will sco you
again beforo you leave ?"
" Certainly. I will bo in tho hotel much
of the timo until I go to the boat."
Whon Mr. Goldbrook had left him, Tom
Redburn lighted another cigar, crossed his
legs, folded his arms, and stared fixedly at
a dark spot in tho wall opposito, as if ho
expected some strango thing to show itself
at that precise point. Ho watched it until
he had Smoked his cigar out, but nothing
unusual appeared. Then ho aroso to his
feet, stamped twice or thrice on the floor,
said to himself in an audiblo voico, " yes,
I am right," and prepared to go out.
Just thon Mr. Goldbrook returned to him
and said :
"My daughter wishes to soe you, Mr.
Rodburn. Will you accompany mo to tho
ladies' parlor?"
Tom readily assonted. Ho desired tho
iuterviow, although ho dreaded it; his
habitual coolnoss had so well-nigh deserted
him wliilo conversing with the father, how
should he maintain his self-possession in
tho presence of tho daughter, if sho was tho
elegant and accomplished lady ho had pic
tured to himself?" Ho found her all he
had imagined, and moro ; but her self-possession
was so perfect that ho found less
difficulty than he had feared in retaining
his own.
Briefly and modestly sho thanked him
for tho interest he had taken in tho object
of her and her father's quest, and then pro
ceeded to ask him two awkward questions :
" From what my father has told mo, I
am satisfied that your sudden return to
Morrison Flat is prompted solely by what
ho told you of our object. It is not so ?"
"It is," he replied, after somo hesita
tion. " Then pardon me for asking you what
induces you to sacrifice your ploasuro and
convenience, perhaps your business con
cerns, to the interests of persons wiio are
entire strangers to you? Such sacrifices
aro not mado without a motive."
" Pardon me, Miss Goldbrook, if I do not
fully answer you uow. I assure you I am
not altogothei disinterested, but my motive
is not a mean ono. Trust me, and you
will not regret it."
" I will trust you. How soon shall we
expect news from you of Thomas and of
Walter?"
S Of Walter in ton days at furthest ; of
Thomas in perhaps a fortnight porhaps
longer. California is a large State to hunt
over for a lost man."
She gave him her hand at parting, llo
could not desist the temtation to press a
kiss upon it, and when ho found his rude
ness was not very severely rebuked ho was
sorry it had not been her lips. Tom Rod
burn was an impudent fellow.
Early in the afternoon of the second day
afterwards, the stage dropped Tom Rod
burn at the door of his own establishment
in Morrison Flat. It was a largo two-story
brick building, the lower part of which was
occupied by a liquor saloon containing two
billiard tables, and a largo room in which
wore a number of tables ladou with the
devicos appurtenant to faro, Spanish monto
rouge-et-noir, roulette, and all other diver
sions adapted to the elucidation of tho
great first principle of gaming that "The
more you put down tho loss you take up."
The upper part of the building was divided
into a number of small rooms, for the ac
commodation of short-card players, and for
dormitories.
Tom scarcely noticed the surprise occa-
soned by his sudden return, but hurrisd
through the liquor saloon into the gambling
room, then returned and inquired of a bar
keeper :
"Have you seen Walter Leighton to
day?"
" No," was the reply ; "he has not been
here for four or five days. I guess he's
sick."
"I saw him a little while ago," said a
lounger, "down at Dick Sampson's cabin,
whore ho stops. I reckon he's there now."
Tom called a boy and sent him after
Leighton, who soon put in an appearance.
He was quite young not more than twenty
seven or eight and but for the marks of
dissipation noble-looking. Ho was clad in
a scody suit which looked all the worso be
cause it was originally of fino texture and
genteel out; his hat was the traditional
"shocking bad" ono, and his naked toes
protruded from his boots; his shirt had
long cut tho laundresses acquaintance,
and it's collar was guiltless of a tie. Ho ap
peared to feel his degradation painfully,
but it was unnoticed by tho pooplo he met
they wero accustomed to tho spectacle ;
ho was not.
Tom Redburn greotod him cordially.
" I want too soe you privately, Walter,"
said ho. " Let us go up to my room. You
look shaky and blue about tho gills. Shall
I mix you something?"
" Nothing, I thank you," replied Leigh
ton, as much to Tom's satisfaction as sur
priso. When the key had been turned on their
privacy, Tom said :
" Walter, I've been considerably aston
ished within the last few days, but not
more bo than by your declinintr to drink
just now. How long has this been going
on l '
"For about a week," said Walter. "
" And what has brought it about?"
" I will tell you if you promiso not to
ridiculo my sentimentalism."
"Ridiculo it? no indeed I Why, Walter,
you don't know mo, old follow. I'vo hard
ly begun to know myself, iu fact. You'd
hardly bolievo, now, that only three days
ago 1 was overcome with sentimont until I
whimpered like a schoolgirl. Go on. if vou
please."
" Well, tho first thing that chockod mo
was a dream of my mother. Sho seemed
to gazo upon mo with a look of mingled
pity and reproach. At last she said, " AVal
ter, it is timo to rise." I awoke, and lay
awako till daylight thinking over my dream
"It is timo to rise," I repeated to myself
whon I got up and put on my clothes ;
and though my stomach cravod its usual
stimulus I did not go after it. I suffered
much from nervousness during the day ; but
Dick Sampson prepared mo a strong decoc
tion of Chili popper, which soothed my
nervos and stimulated my nppetito bo that
I was able to eat a little. I had somo ter
rible dreams that night, but I dreamed
that my mothor camo to mo again, smiling,
and said, " Walter, go on !"
" The noxt was a day of torment ; but my
physical sufferings woro trifling compared
to my mental agony. I was comparatively
sobor. The glamour with which liquor had
shrouded my senses was dispelled, and I
could see mysolf tho degraded wretched
boing I was and am a miserable sot, tho
butt of disreputable persons, tho scorn of
respectable people, depending on the bounty
of tho coarse and illiterate minor for a shel
tor and a place to lay my head ! I hardly
know how I refrained from laying violent
hands on myself; I beliovo Dick Sampson
feared some such thing,' for he staid with
mo all day, and watched me closely. The
night brought me some refreshing slumber
and in my dreams a doar friend bent ovor
me, kissed me, and spoke words of for
giveness and encouragomont. I have ever
since been growing stronger iu mind and
body."
"I can toll you," iatorrupted Tom, "the
namo of the angel of your dreams Alice
Goldbrook."
"How do you know that ?"
"I have seen her, and talked with her."
"When? where P"
" A fow days ago, in San Francisco. She
and her father have come to look after you,
and a truant son and brother who ran away
from patornal discipline many years ago."
"Good God !" exclaimed Walter, shrink
ing back into his chair.
"The old centlcman." continued Tom.
" would have como up here immediately to
visit you, but I porsuaded him to remain at
the Bay until he hoard from me again."
" O, bless you for that. Tom I" exclaimed
Walter, springing from his soat ; "they
must not see mo. I will hide myself In
some remote place, whore they will not hoar
of me again."
" Not so fast, old follow," replied Tom
pushing him back into his seat ; " I havo
promised that they shall see you soon, and
I always keep my word. Don't interrupt
me. Of course, I intend that they shall
see you only under favorable eiroumstancea.
They don't know the worst perhaps, but
they know enough, and they will forgive
all. They will not wait long to see you.
You must prepare yourself. You must
practice again." Concluded next week.