Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-04-05

II "Margaret revisited the SICK mans a
partment, and, as before, saluted him af-
iectionately, and spoke to him kindly,
tenderly, and considerably; so that ifhe
had been at all susceptible Of feeling,
she must have awakened some emotion
in his breast, but the ice had entered his
soul-his heart was frozen to the very
bottom. His daughter desired the nurse
to bring the family Bible. 1T was a pom
derous volume, with dark binding and
strong brass clasps, looking more like a
miscr's chest than domestic book oi
daily use. The usurer looked earnestly
at the book as it was placed on the table
before Margaret land the affected daugh-
ter thought that she saw in that look n
symptom of the breaking up of his soul;
so she moved the table nearer to him and
.took her seat at his side, and began to
open the book; but his feeble hand was
stretched out to prevent her, and his I'M
perfect articulation utiered-'INo, no
touch il mott is my book" yes, sir
said Margaret, 'it is your book. There
is d treasure in that book, he said. Then
was the soul of Margaret lighted up with
hope, and there were sweet toars start
ing from her gladdened eyes, and she re-
peated her fathers words saying-'Ihere
is indeed a treasure in this hook; wish
to make you aware of the value OF tho
treasure. There is a treasure OF conso-
lation which would iain open to you.-
Shall | read to you - "No no." said
he, hastily interrupting her, "you shall
not open it," and then he laid his feeble,
trembling hand upon the book as firmly
as he could, so that Margaret could not
open it without forcIbly removing his
hand She attempted to remove it gen
tly, but it resisted the attempt Marga-
ret then looked doubtingly ly in her fathers
face, fearing that his reason was not
right in action. "Surely, sir, you Will
suffer me to read to you" NO, ! say,
no-you shall not touch the book-it IS
nine "Docs the sight OF the book dis
turb you, sir?" "No, no-l love IT,
"What mean vou, then, by not permit
ting me to open ~ 'tYou want to rob
me---you come here to plunder me: |
will make a will, and if you rob me, my
executor will prosecute You; you think |
am diving, and that you will possess your
self ot my money--no. tell you no, |
will do as will" "DHar, dear father"
said Margaret, 'your mind is wandering.
Oh! why will you think so much Of mo-
ney" what else is worth thinking of?
No you shall not have my money. Go
bach to Italy, and let me keep what |
have got. You trouble me greatly
"Ch, sir, how sorely do you trouble and
distress me! ] am not thinking Of money
i was not speaking Of money; / was
merely wishing to open the Bible and to
read to vou." 'Ay, but there is money
in that Bible. There are Bank notes in
it to large amount. Give it to me-
Margaret pushed the table nearer TO her
father, and offered to unciasp the book
for him. lie quickly and angrly said,
You shall not touch it, He attempted
to open it for himself but his fingers
trcmbcd, and there was no strength in
his hands. He would not be assisted,
but he persevered long time in his fee
bic attempt, which at length was success
fl. He then tork from between the
leaves Of the Bible several bank notes,
which he placed on the table before him;
and while one hand was employed in ar
ranging them before his eyes, he kept
waving the other hand to keep Margaret
from approaching. "lt is all mne,"
said he, 'and the law will protect me in
the possession of it as long as live
You must not come near it. 'And now,
SIR said Margaret, that you have taken
the notes away, will you permit me to
take the Bible and read to you' 'No,
no. said the usurer, 'it is my book, you
shall not read it, q would read it, sir
SAID Margaret, 'for your instruction and
consolation Il do not need any in
structon or consolation replied the usu-
rcr 'And pray how came you to know
there was money in the bookP q did
not know said Margaret; and you have
astonished and grieved me by producing
it, yes, yes, you must have known 1t,
or YOU would not have called for the
book Go back to Italy, go-you shall
not have any of my money; | can make
a better use of it,.
On the following day, according to her
promise, Margaret presented herself at
her fathers house, and found him still
living, but manilestly sinking rapidly
He was in his bed, but restless His
mind the nurse said, had been sadly wan
dering; but all the talk on which he had
been excrting his feeble remnant of the
power OF speech, was concerning money.
Upon his bed and upon the pillows of his
bed, there lay his books-the only books
in which he felt any interest, or to which
he had ever paid the slightest attention.
There were also several bags Of gold