Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-01-19

ms Spirlts--that he ought to go into
cheerful society--hc sighed-scck
change of aIr--that, he said, was, under
/ circumstances, impossible. rose to go.
lie gave me two guincas, and begged
me to call the next evening. ! left, not
| knowing what to make Of him. To tell
the plain truth, my suspicion was, that
/ he was neither more or less than sys-
tematlc LonGon sharpcr--a gamcstcr-
"A hanger-on about town--and that he
had sent for Inc in consequence Of some
of those sudden alterations Of fortune to
which the lives of such men are subject.
| was by no means anxious for prolon-
gcd attendance on him.
|, About the same time next evening, ]
paid him second visit. lie was stretch
ed on the ottoman, cnvclopcd III a gau-
dy dressing gown, with his arms folded
on his breast, and his right foot hanging
over the side Of the ottoman, and dang
ling about, as if in search of u stray slip
per. ! did not like this claboratcly care
less and conceited posture. A dccanter
or two, with some wine glasses, stood on
the table. lie did not rise on my enter
ing, but with Il languid air, begged me to
be seated in chair opposite him. Good
evening, Doctor-good evening, said he
in d low and hurried tone; Il am glad
you are come, for if you had not, Pm
sure | don't know what should have
done. Pm dcuccdly low to night
Iiave you taken the medicines pre- :
scribed, Mr.. Gloucester" | enqlrcd,
feeling his pulse, which iluttcrcd irregu-
larly, indicating high degree Of nerv
Gus excitement. lie had taken most of
the physc | had ordered, he said, but
without percciving any effect upon it
'ln fact, Doctor he continued, starting
from his incumbent position to his feet,
and walking rapidly three or four PAGES
to and fro, 'd-n me, if know what's
come to me. feel as if could cut my
throat ! insnuatcd some questions for
the purpose of ascertalning whether
there was an hereditary tendency to IN
sanity in his lamily-but it would not do
'lle saw he said, what | was dricing
al, but | was 'on wrong scent
NCome, come, ctor!--aitcr r all, there s
nothing like wine for low spirits, is there :?
D--n me, Doctor, drink, drink. Only
taste that clarct-and, after pouring out
glass for me, which ran over the brlm
on the tablc-his hand was so unsteady,
he instantly gulped down two glasses
himself. There was Il vulgar, offensive
familiarity i'll his manner, from which !
felt inclined to stand off; but | thought it
better to conceal my feelings. | was re-
moving my glove from my right hand, and
putting my hat and stick on the table,
when, seeing thin slip of paper lying ON
the spot where intended to place them
apparently bill or promissory note
! was gong To hand it over to MIR. Glou
ccstcr; but, to my astonishmcnt, he sud-
denly sprung towards me, snatched from
me the paper, with an air of ill-disguiscd
alarm, and crumblcd ii up into his pock
ct, saying hurriedly, lla, ha, Doctor
me!-this same little bit of papcr-didn'tI
see the name, ch? 'Tis the bill of an cx-
travagant young friend Of mine, whom
Ivc ust come down cool hundred or
two lor-and it wouldn't be the hand
some thing to let his name appcar-ha-I
you underestimate lie stammcred con
iuscdly, directing to me as sudden and
penetrating glance as | ever cncoun-
tered. ! felt excessively uneasy, and III
cllncd to take my departure INSTANTLY
My suspicious were now confirmed; was
sitting iamiliarly with IA swlndlcr-a gam
blcr-and the bill he was SO ANXIOUS to.
conceal, was evidently wrung from one
of his ruined dupcs My dcmcanour was.
instantly frozen over with the most dis
tant and liigid civiity. | begged him to-
be rc-scatcd, aud allow me to put very
few more questions to him, as | was in
great haste was thus engaged, when
heavy knock was heard at the outer
door Though there was nothing par
ticular in 1t, Mr.. Gloucester started, and
turned pale. In few moments | heard
the sound of altcrcation-thc door of the
room III which We safe was presently O.
pcncd, and two men entered. Rccol-
lccting suddenly Il similar scene in my
own early history, ! felt faint. There
was no nistaking the character or crrand
of the two fellows, who now walked up
to where We were sitting; they were two
sulcn Ncwgato myrmldons, and grac-
ious God had warrant to arrest Mr.
Gloucester for iorgcry' rose from my
chair, and staggered few PAGES, knew.
not whittier. could scarce preserve.
myself from falling on the floor. MIR
Gloucester, as soon as he caught sight of
the officers, fell back on the ottoman--'
suddenly pressed his hand to his heart.
turned pale as death, and gaspcd breath
less with horror.
--what---what---d you
want here"