The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-10-16
From The Philadelphia Caskct
Leaves from a Lawyers PORT Folio
"JaeT, look to him-Tell me not Of mcrcy."-sHyLocK
THE VICTIM.
|C0NTINuED.l

lii ~ i"s
CONTINUED.
Whata spectacle has this interview presented.
The tender, delicate woman soothing the anguish Of
her husbands bosom, and then herself at last
giving way beneath this terrible stroke ofProvidence.
Poor thing little does she dream of the misery in
store for her Hope soon revived in her bosom; the
forced calmness of her husband deceived her; she
felt too that her voice ought to support instead of
dsheartening him, and before ! left them she went
SO far as to smile. And thus they mutually strove
to re-assure each other, while the heart ofboh
God knows-almost breaking.
Sanguine as was, | had entered the cell with
the expectation of seeing Howard speedily released,
but when his sweet wife departed on a momenta-
ry Grand, seized the occasion to enquire more
mnutely into the probable reason Of his arrest.
He looked up and shook his head as closed my
question with expressing belief in his speedy lib
ery. There was something figh,fully calm in his
deep, slow note, as he said,
at will never be. While Mary was here was
willing to deceive you for ! would not crush her
gentle heart with the whole truth. Not will
never be. lie has sworn-yes, the author of all
my ruin has sworn" he continued, with hurried
voice and kindling eye, "that shall rot in jail
--ha! ha! those are the very words, he added Wild
ly; but instantly pausng, he placed his hands to
his brow, with look of unuiterable agony and re-
sumed. "But why is this' must learn TO bear it
like man. No--as there is a Maker over me
he shall never know he can so affect my spirit. ]
will be, as proud, as lofty as ever,-I defy his tor
tures--he may mprson the body-but thank God
the soul is fee," and with rapid strides, he passed
the narrow CELL while his eye flashed, and his whole
frame dilated with indignant passion,
"But" he continued, at last, pausing before me-
81 have not yet told you the cause ofihis persecu-
tion-yes persecution" he added bterly--and
then once more mastering his emotions he resumed
more calmly--"well you know R, you know
also my spcculalions with him and that terrible bond
will not rehearse the progress Of the dramatic
doubts, the fears, the momeniary ecstacy, and the
agony of final ruin. No these you know--foo
that | was to bring them on me. Well--on Sat-
urlay the bubble burst. Mad with ruin, hurried
tony partner, expecting to find some consolation in
his often promised friendship. knew his charac-
ter for acu,eness, and | dreamed fondy that he
might yet point out some way to save ourselves
Nor did argue unfairly for was he not Interested
as well as II Full of these thoughts | alIighed
at his house with something Of hope Twas told
he could not see me. hs,onished beyond measure
] told the man to carry in my name lie smiled
and shook his head. grew angry, and pushing
by him entered the library, followed closely by the
servant. R--was sitting calmly by the fire. He
rose at my entrance and turned lrownng to the ser
want Half suspecting the truth from the nsolencc
of the footman, and my partners air ofperfect I'M
concern, at once said, perhaps too harshly,
"Pray, Mr. R--,orde that fellow out of the
room. have some private business to transact
with you, and observing he hesitated, added
firmly and with emphasis, "I mus, and will be
heard
"Well SIR said he coldy, at once crushing cv-
cry hope by his tone, wha, may ii be. But stop,
have some business with you''-said he suddenly,
as if conscious of my errand, he had determined to
meet me boldly by first broaching the subject and
ENJOYING hellish revenge for the insult in resist
ing his porter and penetrating to his presence
YOU have Beard of the failure Of the land comIn-
ny, and as that security is now worth nothing,
YOU must be aware that shall have to look in 9TH
er quarters for the proceeds of my judgment bond.
presume, sir said he ironically, this is your
object in calling"
For a moment was struck dumb. Had been
told an hour before that human nature was capable
Of such baseness, | would unhesitatngly given it
the lie. could not find words to express my emo
tons. | gazed at him in mingled amazement, in
credulity and horror. But in every feature of his
face traced the same cold-blooded irony which
characterized his tone. could not contain my
SELF
'By heaven, sir, this is too much. Do you
,aunt me with the ruin you have brough, upon me
You know well enough that have no security be-
sides that cursed tract of land which your own
promises seduced me into purchasing. ] give you
security--I-I''