The Northern galaxy, and Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1843-1844, 1843-12-27

cheeks, that he became alarmed; but she
instantly recovered herself; and there, in
the great temple of nature, with the green
trees and the blue sky for canopy, declar-
ed reciprocal attachment, and pledged
herself to await the realization of the COM
petence he hoped to obtain in the Far West.
He did no; meet her again after that eve
ming, but departed with full faith in her
plighted word, buoyant with hope and an
ticipation.
Five years more passed. He met with
brilliant success. and purchased valuable
farm from the profits of his business, Inten.
ding TO leave it to junior partner, return,
and claim the fulfilment of Caroline's
promise. He had maintained regular
correspondence, by which he learned her
family had met with reverses of fortune,
owing TO a depreciation in stocks, of which
her father was holder to large amount,
and which he had pledged in some business
transaction, guaranteeing their par value.
That they had in consequence removed to
smaller estate near New York-that her
sister was dead, and her father alone was
left; yet the extent of their misfortune he
had never dreamed, or he would have flown
to their assistance long before. The fear
that 1t might embarrass him and prevent
his success, had induced the noble girl TO
keep him in Ignorance of the facts and
the pension of her father. as a soldier of
the Revolution, added to her own earnings
as instructress in school, supported them
in comfort, though not in afiiuence.
On the following Spring, Hunter repair
ed to New York, for the purpose of making
some early purchases,in order TO have them
shipped at the opening of navigation, and
intending to bring Caroline back, as wife,
with him on his return.
1t was at that early stage of the season
when winter, still unwilling TO yield the
dominion over which he had held such un-
disputed sway, would summon all bis re-
naming energies-.drive the genial inAu
ences of his successor far away, and ride
forth in all the fury of February storm.
Having completed the purchase of large
quantity of morocco and foreign leather,
he was turning from Ferry street, where
the principal business in that commodity
is transacted,-into Pearl, on his way to a
hotel of the same name, when his attention
was arrested by the appearance Of three
young men, nearly his own age, who issu-
ed into the street Immediately in advance,
with flushed couhtenances and boisterous
conversation, that showed plainly they had
been indulging in drunken revelry. The
street lamps were just being lighted, and
the cold, threatening clouds that hung heav-
lily over the city all day, had settled into
chilling snow storm. There was something
in the voice and manner of one of them,
that attracted his attention the tones
seemed familiar to his ear but the con-
versation was so mixed up with profanc
and vulgar language, it was impossible to
recognise it. He fingered in their rear,
striving 10 recall it to his memory, but in
vain, and was about TO quicken his pace,in
order TO pass them by, just as they APP
preached the steps of closed shop, where
an old man had sunk from exhaustion or
from cold.
"Hallo !" said one of the trio, sold fel-
low, you have got more than you can car
ry, and Charley must bring wheelbarrow,
or you'll perish in the street."
II am not intoxicated" the old man re-
piled, in a feeble voice 81 have walked
far to-day, and am unable to proceed, Be
kind enough TO help me TO place Of shell
ter, or perish from the cold"
"Not drunk, and yet can't walk" rotor.
ted the other. ''Look here, old boy, we
are all three drunk. and can walk toe if we
keep together; so good night, We have got
all we can do to take care of ourseves,and
| would advise you next time to get boon
companion or two, like these, TO help you
walk"
So saying, he spurned the old man with
his foot, and then all three reeled away to-
gether.
And the degraded, unfeeling wretch,
who thus Knocked the mlseries Of that aged
man, was George Masterton, once youth
of promise and responsibility, now an outs
cast and druDkard. Yet the aveDger was
on his track, and miserable death in the
street. not many months afterwards, with
70 one TO soothe his dying agonies, or TO
follow his unhonored ashes TO their last
resting. place, was the reward of his folly
aud his guilt. Hunter FASTENED to the as
sistance of the old man, conveyed him TO
a place of shelter, and procured medical
assistance, which soon restored him. The
two gazed moment upon each other, a
mutual recognition took place; and the
ole gentleman flor it was Col. Thornton,)
grasped the hand of his future son in-law.
The Colonel told the story of his misfor-
tunes, and the manner in which they had
supported themselves after The loss of his
property-how on the day before he had
left home on foot 70 obtain his annuity, but
was told, on his arrival at the Pension or
flee, the fund had been some time exhaus-
ted, and was not yet replaced, although
many a war.worn soldier was thus left in
penury and want. That he had left the
office penniless, and with a heavy hearf,and
had proceeded thus far when he was obi.
ged to stop from fatigue. "And," contin-
ued he, shut for your timely assistance,
must have persisted in the street"
Hunter sympathised with his misfortunes.
although, so far as himself was concerned,
l.