Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-12-27

Yet all alike men CONDEMNED to groan,
The tender for another's pain,
The uneeling for his own.'-GRRY
Peter Benson the of mser, who died
in The possession of great wealth, amused by
life Of toll and privaon. He was endowed 10y
nature with great energies and a firmness of puf-
pose which Showed itself whilst yet child for
he became the terror Of his playmaes, and the ty-
rant Of all about him. His education was neglect
ed for his father would have shuddered to spend
money on il. His example pointed out to his
son, that TO get riches was the sole aim of lite
his precept was, to guard them at the risk of al
but his life and 10 habituate his heir early to fol.
low his example, he forced him to even the
pittance of his pocket money. Peter was an
apt scholars at early age he had actually put
his earnings out to interest; and his father was so
delighted at this trait, that he doubled the amount
TO confirm him in the habit. That same night
,he miser died Was it this solitary instance Of
berality that did violence to his nature, and de-
slroyed him !?
During severe illness, some years before, old
Benson had been advised to make his will and
he had even consented 10 send for Il lawyer, who,
having gone through the usual preamble, waited
for the clients instructions but, after long
pause, venured TO ask the sick man to whom he
wished TO beQueath his property. The sufferer
started up wildly in his bed, exclaning,-
swish 10 bequealh II wish to bequeath my
property ?-never, man, never! What. give my
LIES blood, my souls recompense !--and,' added
10 u stranger his possession of wealthy what
hive La hard working man, to bequeath p
And so he died without will, and Peter Ben
son found himself heir and as he thought with
out any one to interfere with his administration
Of this wealth. Bul he was one morning surprls-
ed by the receipt of letter from his mother,
: whom he had been led to suppose died during his
infancy, and of whom his father never made
mention. Interest being the reigning principle
of this youths heart, it was upon that he retiec-
ted ere he allowed himself TO greve or re-
joice at this unexpected news. His mothers ex-
isence might be of ncalcuable value TO him for
as minor he could not take out letters OF admin
isration and he dreaded having guardian ap'
- pointed by the law. His mothers being alive, he
understood, might render such step unnecessary
But, then, it was said, she would have right Il
share in his property. OF this fact, he hoped Il
keep her ignorant; but as he could not deceive
her as to the amount of wealth, would she not ex
pect 10 be INDUCED In an expenditure suitable Il
it? And he groaned ms he thought how tli
would diminish the profits of the concern.-Hi
father had vegelated land even that sparingly ) hi
had never dared to live
Peter was puzzled how he should reply to hi
mothers letter without committing himself or hi
property. At length, he thought it would be bes
TO go to her; if she came TO town, he might b.
expected to fetch her-so the expense must IN
incurred and by getting it over at once, h.
would be able to judge better of her disposition ant
far as the name went, of his interests during hi
minority-lhe real control of them he intende
should remain in his own hands-and he felt tn
coach fare almost an eXcusable expense, as he re
Elected on the advantages TO which this journe
might lead. His mother was poor sckly look
ing woman, whose spirits had been so crushed b.
oppression and tyranny that she hardly dare
speak 10 her own child. His personal RESENT
lance to his father made her tremble; and it wa
not long before she perceived the resembling
was not merely personal He uttered no grief it
his lost, nor JOY for his new found, parent-mol
ey, gain, saving, were all he could talk upon an
when, on bidding her good night, he sald,-
Mother, shall never die happy unless b
come twice as rich as my father she lelt that Il
lie of toll and modification she had endured wi
the iather was about 10 recOinmence under Il
yoke OF her offspring; and for six Yeas she meek
bore with all the privalons her childs parslmoI
forced on her-During these yenrs he had nev
! once offered his mother a pleasure, IN anus
ment, or single comfort that could have draw
guinea from his purse. His main study was
hoW little could she manage 10 keep home !
him and when, on attaining twenty -one, he TO-
the concern nominaliy las it had oil along he
virtually into his own hands, she hazarded
quest 10 retire into the country to end her days
puie free from The feyerish excitement of irat
he remarked
AS you please, mothers only | cannot allC
you as much as my father did. / mean 10
crease my business, and every farthing will
wanted besides you had money by you VIII
my father died, and therefore must have been
BILE to save out of the provision he made
The poor mother Submitted in silence she h
long known that policy and interest had ao
Kept her son on terms with her; and now her
lowance curlal!ed TO the very lowest pittance,
permitted her TO depart and from that hour
quarterly payments were, for many years, the @
ly evidence of her sons existence while he "
stranng every nerve to realise and amass ricb
10 spend them, to circulate them, would hu
been agony.
lie thought Of marrying; but then his cho
must DC dic'Sed by the same unvaryng rule
his interest. gentleman, with whom he Il
formed extensive 'elatons invited him to
country house. tie has one daughter an OF
child ana refer Benson besame enamoured W
'--not her beauty, nor her swe,, and gentle ma
ners-but her expectations. He made propos
to the father, who could not but view with ple