The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-02-19

WIS py no means unbecomIOg. 1herc
was an old sort of elegance about it,
which arose perhaps more from the fine
symmetry of the figure which it covered
than from any harmonious combination
of the colours which composed it. Nor
Icy remembered to have heard, that q
person had been frequently seen in the
neig'sbourhood who was supposed to be
mad, and who it now occurred to him
precisely answered to the description of
the figure before him. He nevertheless
advanced boldly towards the stranger,
and demanded salt.
"Sdh? what mean you 90
"Money."
Go to the rich"
"We exact from poor aud rich alike"
Exac:! thou art then both publican
and sinner"
"Ceme wilt thou dopose thy tribute y
and he extended the mouth of richly
embroidered bag. "Let me beg, vener-
able sir, that may not be detained"
Beg' Thou art too fine for a beg.
gar; thy livery bellies thy calling. /
should have taken thee for some knuve's
serving man, who had robbed a theatre
to apparel thee; but that am more
chartably disposed to think thou. art
some apes serving monkey" The
blood rushed to Morley's cheek in
torrent. 81 tell thee again thou art too
fine for beggar. Go TOGO to-siIly
dogP'
beg not, but exact"
And suppose ! should refuse thy
demand-,hou art not very formidable
assessor"
"Then force should compelit." The
stranger smiled scornfully. "Come,
disburse sixpence will purchase yorg
security from any further molestation
se take any thing but copper"
"Ifa sixpence could bo divided into
intangible atoms, I'd rather blow them
to the winds than give thee one. Flo
upon your custom. You rob !-ay, you
may frown, young bully, and strut like q
peacock round well-I say it at risks,
and good current English,-you rob in
order to make fine gentleman of your
school-fellow, and purchase an honour
able title with the fruits of knayery. Be
ware of him, young man lie will be a
serpent in your path, aud sting the hand
that fosters him. Take heed, say: he
will repay thy legalize9 larceny in his
behalf, with the devils requital. A
word TO the wise-If ihou'rt fool, why
thou vert born no better than thy kind,
and vert therefore born to be fooled"
What mean your
81 mean, in the frs, place, that l will
nv SiNc thc 'oiuo VI iusH 10 Help 10
mature an embryo villain. l mean,
in the next place, that this Clavering,
for whom thou art gracelecs enough to
piilage the poor passenger, is that vii
lain.''
Morley was staggered. He felt
his heart throb with Indignation, but
was absolutely overawed by the manner
Of the mysterious person who addressed
him. There was a something in it a,
once so commanding aud uncommon,
asso cining too, with it, as Morley did,
an idea Of insanity, that he could neither
summon resolution TO exact a contribu-
ton from him, nor diyest himself Of an
apprehension that there was prophet
ic spirit in his words for impressions
often get the better Of our judgments.
and force us TO believe, in spite Of the
contradictions Of our reason. Belief is
independent of our wills, and we are
frequently conscious Of ereduli,y
which we should be extremely reluctant
to avow, and of which our very con-
sciences make US feel ashamed. Morley
tried to shake off the impression which
had so suddenly oyercas, his spirits, but
no appeal to his better sense could owe r
come its influence. lie felt unaccount.
ably depressed; nevertheless, affecting
to laugh at the ominous prediction, with