The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-12-27

to the devil, in hell, would save one from its
fires. The willy bsronet had contrived to
make himself, in q manner, indispensable TO
Besuchamp. ltwas Sir Edward, who taught
him the 4uickes, way of turning lands into
cash; Sir Edward, who familarized him with
the correctest principles Of betting and hand.
ling the dice, Sir Edward who put him in the
way of evading and defying his minor credit.
ors; Sir Edward, who fessted and feted him
out Of his bitter ennui and thoughts Of
shire; Sir Edward, who lent him hundreds at
. moment's warning, end gsve bm the long.
est credit!
Is it really conceivable that Desuchsmp
could not see through the plausible scoun
drei? enquiries perhaps . reader. No, he did
not--tl the plot itself began to deveiope H.
self in the latter scts of the tragedy! And
even when he did he still went on end on
and on trusting that IN time he should su,wit
the subtle devil though he wasa ittleshocked
at finding himself so essily cspsbie of such
thing, he resolved. 81 least, in The forlorn
hope Of retrieving his circumstances, TO meet
fraud pifh fraud. A delusion not unc ommon
among the desperate victims of gambling, 10
the notion that they have suddenly hit on
some trick by which they must iniallbly win.
This is The ignus fafus which often lights
them 10 the fatal verge. Such q crotchet
had lattcrly been fitting through the fancy
of Besuchsmp; and one nghs--or rather
morning revolving the scheme over
and over again in his racked. brAin, he start.
ed out Of bed, struck . light, seized pact
ofcsrds, and shivering with ccld--for it was
winter--sste calculating and iDanGvering
with them till he had satisfied himself Of the
accuracy Of his plan;--when he threw them
| Ara, -
bed again, in fit of guilty ecstacy. The
more he turned the project in his mind. the
more and more feasible did il appear. He
resolved 10 entrust no one breathing with his
secret. Confident Of success, and that with
but little effirt. he had il in his powerto break
the bank. whenever, and as often ss he pleas-
ed--he determined to put bis plan into exc.
cution in q day or two. on large scale; stake
every penny he could possibly scrape togeih
er, and win triumphantly. He instantly Get
about procuring the requisite funds. His at
torney. . gambler himself whom he had lat.
terly picked up, at the instance Of Hitler, as
"a monstrously convenient fellow" soon be.
gan to cash his l. q. us TO the amount Of
5OOOk on discovering that be he'd still svsils.
bic property in------shire, which he learnt,
at confidential interview with tho solicitor
in Furnival's Inn, who was negotiating the
loan of22,000t. from Lady Gripe.s He re.
turned to make the hazardous experiment on
the evening OF the day on which he received
the 50OOI. from his attorney. On the morning
OF that day he was, further, 10 hear from his
steward in the country, respecting the mort.
gage ofhis last and best property.
That was . memorable--a terrible day to
Beauchamp. II began with doubt, suspense
--dissp ppointmen, Cor. after waiting the call Of
the postmsn, shaking with agitstion,be caught
glimpse ofhs rex ;ac ket passing 5y his door
ION the other side of the street. Almost
frantic, he threw up the window, and called
out to him--but the man had "none to day."
Beauchamp threw himselfon his sofa in ago.
ny unutterable. II was the first time that old
Pritchard had ever neglected to return nm
answer BY return Of post, when never SO
slightly requested. A thousand fears assail.
ed hm.--Had his letter miscarried? Was
PT:chsrd i'll, dying--or desds Had he been
frightened into . disclosure to Mrs. Beau
champ? And did his MoTHER at length
.-did ELLEN-know Of his dreadful dongs?
The thought was too frightful TO dwell upon!
Thoroughly unnerved he few TO brandy
fiery fcnd. lighting up in the brain ths flames
Of madness. He scarce knew how TO rest
during the interval between breakfast snd
|
with the rest Of the internal crew, were 10
dine with Apsley.
There was 10 be strong muster; for one Of
the decoys had cn,rapped wealthy simple.
ton, who was 10 make his first appearance"
that evening. After walking for an hour, to
and fro. he set out 10 call upon me. He was
at my house by twelve o'clock. During his
stay in town. had frequently received him
in quality Of q patient, for trifling fits Of in
disposition, and low spirits. ! had looked
upon him merely as q fashionable young fel-
low, who was ''upon town." doing his beat to
earn little notorioiy. such as was sought Of.
ter by most Young men Of spir;t--snd fortune!
had been able to gather from what he let
fall at several interviews, that the uneve,.
spirits he enjoyed, were owing To his gsmb
ling propensties: that his excitement or de.
preston slteFnated with the good or i'll luck
he had at play. felt interest in him for
there was about him n air Of righteousness
and straight forwsrdness, which captivated
every one who spoke with him. His man.
ners had oil the ease sad blsndnees OF the
finished gentleman; and when last saw him
which wss about two months before, he sp
pesred in good health and cheerful spirits
Q very fine, If not a strictly handsome man.
Bu. no,o when he stood before me, wasted
in person and hsggsrd in feature, full Of irri
liability and petulance, ! could scarce believe
him the same man! was going to ask him
some question or other. when he hastily in.
terrupted me, by extending towards me his
two hands, which shook almost like those Of
man in the palsy, exclsiming--"This. this,
Doctor, ia what have come sbout. Can you
cure rBIs--by six o'clock to dsy?" There
wss wlldness in his manner, which led me
20 suspect that his intellect wss disordsrel.
| lie hurried on before ! had time 10 get 10 q
word--"If you esnuo. steady my nerves for .