The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-06-20

mcnts are fragile. and the edge oI
ny feelings had already been blunt
I'd by dissipation.
What course was now to pursue
Utterly reduced in means, applied
to an acquaintance who was cnnnce-
ted with the daily press he procur-
ed me an appointment to report po.
lice intelligence. My profits were
small, but my curiosity was amply
! gratllicd became cOnyersant with
the desperate characters whose
crimes | recorded, and was no incl
oquent historian of schemes which !
was soon to share. Indeed, to me
il was only Il higher graduation IN
the school OF artiliCe. But | grew
weary ol the laborol my employment;
| resigned, and passed IN rapid sue
cession To be the pnrvcyor of burlct.
tas, for minor theatre, clerk in a
lottery office, and markcrat n billi-
ard table. DebauChcd habits, how
ever, and the worm within, which
| had not yet succeed in sitting,
now condemned me 10 a long illness.
and passed three months in a mis-
cradle garnet in Shcrrard street. \
diepensary physician, who attended
the was interested by my conNersatl
on, and offered To obtain Tor me, Oh
my recovery, II correCtorship IN a
printing Office. gratefully accept
ed his prososal. But just Al rero.
vercd my health, received an anon.
ymous note, enclosing an hundred
PONDS. with only these few words,
to me too full of meaning. i" Ion Il
king, and 1oetp.'
With this supply | went to Paris.
There ! spent year III improve
mcnt under SonSummate artists III
that circle | vas mere novice.
with new namc,a new language, Al
most with n new face, | then opened a
campaign in London. My abilities
were too enlarged to be content with
a single sphere Of action at home !
praciised ono of the most dcllca'c
subdivisions Of forgery /; abroad, /
often mixed in splendid assemblies,
never a vulgar dcpredator, and. aid
ed by dress and manners, which we're
more than prescntablc, | was cares
SEED as an elegant foreigner. gai
ned some brilliant prizes with skill,
ease, and resolution, Of which you
are happy III having no conception.
My tact was to be very constantly
seen, to place myself very forward,
but To attempt very rareiy,onl. gre 4
objects, and never unless absolutely
sec ure. lwass amassing considera-
be sums, and dreamed OF pnrchas-
ing nobility and an estate under TIA
lian skies. But our forging connec-
tions became too extensive, ! was
betrayed, and in four hours am 10
breathe my last.
Two singular condolences ! must
not omit such as often occur to the
actors Of agitated scenes. but which,
in fictitious narrative, you would
, regard with credality. Al irishman
TO whom was deeply indebted for
aid in our mutual pursuits, was trl-
; ed at hppleby for sccrcting notes
from tho coach-OiiiCe. He was man
OF fine talents, aud kind heart,
worthy Of better things. came
down TO rndcayonr to prove an oitbt
for him. but in vain. But ON that
day, while was standing in the inn
yard. q chase drove up, containing
yourself aud Your husband. You
had been married on that very NOR
ning. You looked calmly on my
altered features, little recognizing
In my faded and iron check, the face
on Which you had so often gazed
with confidence aud fondness. What
havoc does vice make on the coun-
tcnancc OF her sOtaries
Again. Returning once from the
York races, ] passed the night IN Il
small inn at Bawtry. Descending
the stairs next morning, | was ar
rested by a faint groan issuing from
, mean room, the door OF which was
not quite closed. Ona coarse bed
lay figure, the commissions Of which
strongly agllated the clothes that CO.
ycred it. What a spectacle was there
disclosed IA face, the hollowness
Of which would, ut any time have
shocked, but CHASTITY blackncss was
now stealing over it, and the snntcn
eyes were CLASSY & fixed. He grasp
ed my arm with force that made me
slmddcr, and hastily drew pocket
| book from beneath the pillow: IT
uu.n III EArcinn construction. such as