Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-12-30

or OF The men was disturbed at my approach.
Each was too busy with his own peculiar
thoughts. The chair of Frederick was
drawn close TO that of his flthcr-his hand
was upon his fathers arm--lis blood-shoi
eye was raised towards his fathers scottish
face. remained at the door, fixed TO the
position IN which my entrance had first
placed me, and fearful of accceratng harm
and evil by the progress of an inch.
"Tell me what you PREACH" exclaimed
Frederick, laughing aloud and unmcaningly:
(Which side of the question do you esponsei
They tell me you are a-what is it! a Cal
whist Who is hel Did he love winc-did
he drink as jolly as we do Oh, you arc a
rare old sinner ! la, ha, hat" and he lauuh-
cd on, aud swallowed glasslul in the midst
of it.
"Do not talk so wildly" said his father.
endeavoring TO escape from his side.
"And why noll asked Frederick. rudcv
stopping him. "Who are you to order. and
to say how a man is to speak or behave ?"
81 do not wish to modest"
"No, I'll take deylish good care YOU
shan't," said my brother, mterrupting him
81 say, parson, haven't you broren your
heart in irettng after your son? Hasn't
natural affection almost killed You! WHY,
what did you think had become of me. Do
you believe in that black heart of yours. that
YOU are really on the road TO heayenl Come.
no fllnching Answer me like man. Here
take a glass, I'll drink to our better ac-
quaintance. We shall know one another
better for the future"
My father wrlthed under his affection
lie had character to sustain which he had
never studled-ior which he was III prepar-
ed. lie burned to burst the chains by which
he felt himself enthralled. The dread OF
consequence kept him as submissive as a
beaten slave. Mine was the cruel lot to OBJ
serve in silence and in horror A bumper
was quafied in honor OF the tauniing toast.
and Frederick was again pursuing his DOOM
cd victim.
"Look there" said he, pointing to me ;
that's your daughter am told that YOU
have behaved most lovingly to her. Look at
her, man" he continued, seizing him BY the
wrist, "and see what a color your kindness
has brought upon her check. I.ook-she is
paler than the lily, and that we know is Joy $
own color. You'll 90 to heaven for that,
too. Why, you are a noble fellow to preach
and pray, and tell us what we ought TO do !
Look me in the face.
My father shook with rising passion, and
he bit his lips, and drew his breath with diff
ficuliy.
Look me in the face" continued the
Infatuated Frederick, for he dashed himself
10 rage-"and let me see pious monster
religious iend-a holy devil Now hear
me. have spent many an hour of my
most miserable lIle-made miserable by YOU,
IN longing for this moment. ] have looked
forward to this interview till | have almost
gone mad in waiting for it, | have walked
for half nigh; listening to the wind scream
ing among, bowling about tomb-stoucs, and
over green graves, trying to keep down the
horrible temptation that had felt for years
to be your murderer Hear, and understand
me, repeat il calmly-to be y0ur murderer.
have seen the blooming and the young,
without a crime, without the feathery bur
then of an unconscious fault cut down in
beauty, and removed from the earth which
they were Just beginning TO adorn aud digni-
ty-and IkHcD you-the tormentor of your
kind, the vilest of your race, in whose atmos-
phere to live was to breathe pollution. and
TO suffer DEATH knew YOU to be alive,
gloryng in your deilement, pouring sorrow.
distress and misery upon all that came with
in your reach, and rendering life curse to
all who had any connexlon with YOU. Do
you think, ! ask, that ! could deem it wrong
to remove forever from the world the source
of endless woe One blow could do it
One blow, and in an instant, there was peace
for the most deserving. could have struck
you down, | could have dealt the blow with
out remorse-without one aching thought.
Why then came ! not to give it 4? / will
not tell you-hut there was good reason for
my absence. You was preserved not through
my forbearauce. The cause that ntericrred
between me and my strong desire exists no
longer. Now, | am free to act. Now am
here, and, monster, what prevents the ac-
complishment Of what | have wished so
long ~
"You dare not do it," cried my father,
starting from his chair, and Guiding by his
suddenness the gripping hand of Frederick
"Iou lie p impiousy replied the drunk
en- boy, and following him as he proceeded
from his seat.
1t was my time 10 act No longer capa-
bic of seli-conlrol, placed myself between
the angry men, and enlreated the agrcssor
10 desist. My influence and power over the
unfortunate man was gone
"Stay you there" said he, placing me at
a distance from them, cor be gone and do
not intermeddle am tranquil, and am
master of myself We have long account
to settle and il must be called over item
after item"
81 do not fear you" mutiered my father,
crashing his teeth, and looking fcrcely at
his son. 81 do not fear YOU most unnatural