Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-17

| i"c icttcT Ieii HoHl " Sonhoi . MAUI, az
ceased reading, and with feelings mingled wit
indignation and disgust. he turned TO Stanle
and remarked, this certainly was not expect
cd, and am at a loss to know w,by what mean
MIR. Villars became advised of the existence q
correspondence between me and Rosalind
II is true that never took any pains to kee;
him ignorant Of the affair, but then, as it has
thus far been conducted with some secrecy
as have always felt assured that he knew
nothing of it, must confess, that the contents
Of ms note creates in me no inconsiderablc
surprlse;-and then requested Stanley, TO
advise HIM what steps TO adopt, in relation TO
}he document he had received from Villars.
The letter of Richard Villars had lain upon
the floor from the moment that O'Connor drop
ped 1t, end when he, to whom it was address
ed, turned round, to his infinite surprise, he
saw 1t in the hands of one of those inausitiye
"Paul Pry" individuals, who infcst every pub
lie place, as well as every private apartment,
to collect materials for the propu CATION of pri-
vate scandal, and public delraction.
He was thin visaged man, apparently of
the age of fifty or ffty-fve, and the marks of
his countenance bore undcniable testimony to
his inherent stupidity and creative basoness -
He was intently employed in reading the letter,
and O'Connor, no longer enabled to comman nd
HIMSELF and grown indignant on behodng
his impudencc, seized him by tho collar, and
itching the paper from his hand, demanded
what right he had to peruse a private docu-
ment addressed to an individual, to whom he
was at best total stranger.
The obrusive Paul Pry, who added to his
native character, the tameness of Billy Laeka-
day, and the vices Of Nipperkin, trembled
within the grasp of his indignant assailant, and
protested "'pon the honor of a gentleman, -
that he did not wish to intrude, and that pick
ing up the letter where 1t was found, he did
not conceive it to be private afTair-but a
matter ofnotoricty and general publicity; and
added, :" if sir, have done aught that is
wrong, sincerely ask your pardon" Smiling
at the imbecilty of that mind, which could
generate SO silly, and yet so opposite an colo
gy, O'Connor, loosed him from his grasp, and
bade him be careful in future how he intruded
impudonce to 60 unpunshed. The aiirightcd
fellow, promised to conduct himself with more
discretion in future, and bidding O'Connor
adieu, sailed forth to tho street; but as he
"Ill yet teach that gentleman that am no
to be treated thus rudely, and that possess al
influence with the family of the villars', whicl
he shall yet be taught to dread"
Freed from the annoyance ofa being so des-
picable, O'Connor, consulted with Stanley, as
to what steps he should pursue, and little
dreamt, that the impudent Paul Pry, possess
cd the least power Of doing him an injury.
After some consultation, it was decided by
the parties, that dgnficd, manly and respect
ful reply, should be made to Villars, and O.
Connor seating himself at bureau, and wrote
the following letter.
lit Bldke's Hotel, July (.NghD 5th 1921.
SIR-I have the honor to Inform you, that
your note of this day, was handed me n few
moments since, and would have reached me
much sooner had not been detained at tho
Theatre. As to your request, | assure you
Sir, it shall be faithfully complied with; so fan
as can do SO, by avoiding any visits to youl
house. My correspondence with Rosalind
will be continued so long as she continues 10
accept but the moment it is rejcctcd Il cease
The correspondence to which you have al.
luded in terms of unmeritcd reproach, was
elced,-not by me, and if my choice had
been consulted, it never would have exist
My attac chmcnt for Rosalind, has existed from
my infancy-it has grown with my growth
and strengthened with my strength, bu. as
am far from being disposed 70 cause any in
quietude in your family, shall attempt 10 un
derminc ITS supcrstructure, and TO forget tha
such being ever existed.
In taking leave of you, as hope forever =
| though l would not have il understood that
| am personally hostile to you-l will be above;
to remark, that the expletives you have adop
ted, when speaking of me, were uncallcd for
and that your illusions to my misfortuncs, are
| cold, uncharitablc and unjust. l ask not Tho
| charity Of any man, nor have l addressed you
| daughter, because Of secret disposition to la,
my hands upon the fortune she is destined t'
| Inherit have addressed her from noblcr mo
tvcs because love her for herself.
To the discretion of Rosa lind | shall submit
this affair, and by her decision shall be gov
crncd shall not presume however to visl
your habitation again, and assure you sir, tha
you have nothing TO fear from one, who how
ever sincerely he may respect The daughter
has no particular reason TO regard the iathe
Very respectfully, 7 am, SC.
| HENRY O'CONNOR.
To RICHARD VILLARs, Esq.
O'Connor had scarcely sealed the letter, an