State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-09-19
but was not that which made
The starlight of his boyhood.

| "Shortly after Lamar had left Virginia,
Oakley conceived, or commenced the NC
complishnent of the design OF obtaining
Louisa for himself. While Lamar was
present, he had not even limited prefer
enco for her, if he then had any, but scarce
ly had he left the state before he began to
put into execution his scheme of treachery
aud villany, that proved but two successful.
Oakley's father was postmaster; by this
means he intercepted Lamar's letters TO
Louisa, and Louisas to Lamar. From
these he was enabled to communicate TO
each his own falsehoods, and with the
surest effect. The close intimacy that had
existed between him and Lamar, brought
him in friendly intercourse with Louisa.
She knew he received letters from him fire.
quently, and was, therefore, prepared to
believe all he told her of Lamar. He re-
presented him az having treated his en-
gagement with her as one of his boyish
ireaks--thal he hid ceased to love her; and
at length, finding all his arts fail 10 wean
her heart from its first love, he commune
Gated to her, what he sud he had received
from Lamar 10y letter, that he had married
in Mississippi
"Oakley was wealthy, and like most real
black hearted scoundrels, was free from the
common vices of the neither good nor bad.
Louisa could not love him, but now that the
last hope Of Lamar had passed AWAY, and,
perhaps to show how little she regarded
his loss who could thus desert and abandon
her, but most of all, try TO please her rela-
tons, she consented to marry Oakley. The
report of the marriage soon reached Lamar,
and this was the light j said broke upon
him.
"Death in any of its mos, fearful shapes
could not have come to him with half 81
whitening all aspect as this did lie saw
at once how he had been duped 10y the
treachery of his friend, and it was not sur
prising that his mind inaddened with all it
revealed TO him. 1t was not long before
he returned to Virginia, determined to
know The worst; to explain his conduct, if
necessary, and 10 call Oakley to an account
for his.
"The feelings with which he returned
TO his native place Z; the scene Of so many
happy days and fond recollectons; where
dwell all he had held dear on earth which
lie had LETT with the brightest hopes of flu
ture happiness, and to which he now re-
turned miserable and blighted being, are
more easily imagined than described. On
his arrival he soon found his worst antici
pations were more than realized. That
Oakley had added the basest falsehood to
treachery, that Louisa hud proved herself
worthy of him, resisting all the efforts of
Oakley and her relations, who urged her
TO have him, until it was believed by all that
he had married another. These facts were
easily learned, for as soon as Oakley had
Obtained Lousa's hand, he made no secret
of the means by which he had gained it ;
| tha in
I had out-manouvred Lamur. The latter de-
termined Immediately to demand all the
I satisfaction he could now obiain--a direct
call TO the field. But it so happened before
this could be done-indeed il was the day
after he returned--that barbecue was
given in the neighborhood, TO which he
was invited. TO it he concluded to 60
not from any desire TO participate in Its
enioyments, but as far as possible, to show
to his old acquaintance that he had moi
i returned to mourn, but TO punish.
"Oukley was at the barbecue also. lie
had not heard of Lamar's return, and ii hC
had, Il is most likely he would have gone
, for with all his bad qualities, he did moi
lack courage. 1t was soon known to each
other that the other was there. Ii Happen
, ed either by accident or intention, that they
i did not meet for some time. Lamar hau
determined upon his course, and had
therefore, no wish to meet Oakley upon
1 any other ground. 1t was not expected
, that the latter would wish to meet the for
, mer any where. Apprehending collision
Oakley abstained from drinking. On Tho
, other hand, meeting with so many OF hii
r old friends, from whom he had been sepa
| rated, and disposed 10 put on in their pres
, ence, an appearance of indifference, con
strained, too, by the festivities of the place
l Lamar drank TOO deeply for his usual abst
ncnt habits, and thereby become excited
In this situation of the parties they a
! length met at one of the tables, and rs La
: mar had drank away his discretion, it wal
not long before they began to 'reckon KIN
f and rent lie upbraided Oakley for hi
| perfidiry, and charged him with stealing hi
, letters, of writing TO him falsely, in Short
r he laid open all his conduct IN lis bIackes
colors; to all of which the latter repheC
Y with n satanic smile, and tauntingly tolt
r Lamar that want of success made hin
give the coloring of crime to what was only
f. superior management. Heated as he wa
:, by liquor, to be coolly and malignant,
. confronted by the sole author of his rune'
|, hopes, he became desperate, lost the gov
! eminent OF his passions, aud in the midst o
e some more provoking language, he graspe6
+ a knife that lay on the table near him, AMI
4 before Oakley could avoid the blow, o.
|, those near interfcred TO arrest him, h,
D struck him to the very heart.
c "Lamar Immediately gave himself int
, the power of the legal authorities. TIN
: court sat soon after, when he was tried
convicted of manslnughter and condemned
i to solitary confinement for number o
= years. Every effort had been made t
y have him acquitted, but the case was to-
# clear to admit " any other decision, TIL