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

pounueu nor was his DISAPPOINTMENT leSseneu Wy
hearing within few weeks, that she had been
unexpectedly left a legacy TO a large amount, and
had thus become one Of the richest heresses OF
the day. lle had hardly recovered from this
shock, when news was brought him Of severe
confagration which had destroyed his extensive
warehouse in London. No one doubted that
man of his caution would he amply insured they
were not aware of the extent of his parsimony.
Though frequently prompted to take this precnu-
Ton, he could not persuade himself TO pay mon
ey for that which by possibility might never make
him any return.
Loss after loss closely followed on each other
and in every instance this hard-hearted, unsympa-
thisng man could trace their origin TO some act
OF brutality or some niggardly conduct OF his
own. His health became impaiIe and he was
nearly driven mad by the clerks in the counting
house sending for doctor, whom he refused to
pay lie became unequal to the daily calls OF
business; and having always been The active su'
pernlendent Of his own concerns, things became
worse and worse all his underngs hated Him,
and were but too prompt to take advantage OF his
imbecie state. The nervous fear that he was
robbed aggravated the disease under which he
labored and he was hardly to be recognised
when he set ont, for the second time, in search OF
his mother. His appeal could not be rejected ly
that mothers heart. His obdurate nnture, his un
charitable mind, were known to her; Lut he was
her son, and she allowed him to share scnnty
ptance he had in the pride of wealth Ond pow
er, almost grudged her.
The village doctor advised warm climate; and
by the sale of her furniture and other effects, his
mother procured the means aud accompanied INN
abroad. Every day increased his fretlul, dlscon 3D.
tented temper every day, too, his bodily weak
ness augmented; and ere they had been II month
ut Nice, where suffering had obliged them to halt,
1t was evident his end was fast approaching; anu
his mother became anxious that he should see
some cergyman,who might, even at that late hour,
bring his mind to reflect on those truths Of which
he never would permit her to speak.
Full of this thought. she one evening stole
from his sick couch to make inquiries about the
resident minister; but had the disappointment to
find he was absent from Nice. Worn out with
the fatigue she had undergone both OF body and
mind, she was retracng her feeble steps, her tears
flowing fast ms she reflected how terrible would be
her son last nomcps, deprived OF tie only nope
she had dared to look for TO render them peaceful
by prayer and repentance, when she found her
self accosted by an Englishman, who had o,iserv
ed her detected appearance, and now asked II he
could he of my service in her distress. On hear
ing her errand and its disappointment, Ni'ler'
flor il was he, who travelling with his bride
his long loved Marian, and her father) told er he
was Protestant clergyman, and would accom-
pany her home. Arrived at the sick man 5 cham
ber he gently approached the bed with an ex-
preston of sympathy and pity. He did not rec
ognlse in the enIaciated dying form before hin
character lie had cordially desl,sed but Benson1
memory was rendered faithful by hatred aud fan
ced wrong; and starting up in bed with the sud
den strength of frenzy, he exclaimed with
dreadful OATH Out of my sight, thou sycophant
was it not enough to rob me of the girls money
but you come here to goat your eyes on N!
wrelchedness, and watch my dying moments?
Poor soul, how he raves" said the terrified
mother.
'Ravesp cried the dying man, as he shook hi
fist with convulsve energy do you think ] know
him not? I tell you mother, it is Villers-ii i
the fend who crossed my path to wealth, ant
who has come to look on his victim; and, witt
an hysterical laugh and an awful blasphcmy, Pc
Ter Benson ceased 10 Breathe I'll nsoilened, unre
| pentanl shelving that the possession of wealf
without sympathy OF soul and The exercise of be
nevolence, leads to misery here, and an awfu
prospect for hereafter
AS Sir Philip Sidney has said, 'Riches may b
considered treasury of blessings when posses
sed by the worthy, and an abused good in III
hands of the heartess p
E. C. DE c..