Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-09-22
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the mother became convulsed with the force
of suppressed emotion-twice she returned
to embrace him, but twice stopped short and
gave him a cold adieu. The brother hurried
him away. They found a conveyance rea-
dy to take them 10 the water side, where
embarked on small boat, and pursued
their way across the lake. All the efforts Of
the youth TO engage his brother in conver-
sation proved f%ruitless; he preserved a
gloomy silence. There was an oppressive
heat in the air, which forbode a storm, an
occasional flash of lightning, and large drops
of ram at intervals. They had remained
some time without exchanging a word, when
young Carl suddenly started up and said-'l
can bear this no longer, Adolphe, | am suf-
focatcd-they have SO loaded my pockets
that l am weighed down-it was Kind of my
mother and sister thus to think of my wants
when l should be far away from them +; but
l would have rather had a few tender words
from them at parting (part'ng perhaps for.
every than all the presents they have pressed
upon me. Strange that l should be so cast
off-that l was not allowed to explain any
thing. l am guilty, l know, but not SO gull
ty as you suppose. l did not intend to steal
the horse. l believe my wine was drugged
by the woman | had the misfortune to meet
at the auberge, for | slept till the middle Of
the next day-it was too late to return; the
following day I was infatuated-mad-1
could not resolve to separate from her-she
persuaded me to sell the horse-it was the
only means of enabling me TO stay with her.
l consented-but you know not the agony
of remorsc which took possession of me from
that moment. Bitterly have l suffered
Surely, you will forgive me, Adolphe, for
you know the destinations of a woman at my
age, and you have yourself gone near TO be
guilty also. What, not one word, Adolphe
hot one word when we are parting per-
haps forever. Well, well-be it so-when
l am gone, perhaps you may feel that you
have been to severe and he relapsed into
silence. Good God Adolphe,' said he,
as a fash of lightning lighted up the face Of
his brother, and showed it livid and c%onvul.
sed, { what is the matter with you Z are you
i'll ? your face is frightful.'
'No-no,' said Adolphe, not III, not i'll
but this parting-this NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
much for me-
Then you do feel for me, Adolphc,' said
Carl; you will intercede with my mother,
and let me know that she has forgiven me
God knows l love her tenderly, and would
sacrifice my life for her; but her mind j:
poisoned, and iris in vain to plead with hel
at present ; years must clapse before my
stern father can be reconciled-perhaps new.
er, for his whole soul is fixed on the honor Of
his family-which | have stained. I wish i
were a time of war, Adolphe, then l might
have a chance of distinguishing myself, and
| might make a name on which he might
dwell with pride-my own is lost 10 me
forever
Forever echoed Adolphe, and his hol-
low tone sunk deep into the heart Of his bro.
Their. Carl felt how much he had sacrificed
how VAIN the hope to re-establisI himself, ant
he burst into tears.
cannot breathe, Adolphe,' said he, ri.
sing in the boat, and cndeavoring to take OF
his loaded garments-but his brother seizeo
his arm.
wait yet a moment said he, pulling hin
down into his seat again have some
thing to say to you-something Of the great
est importance it is the last opportunity, anc
the moments are precious. Where are we?
added Adolphe, addressing the boatman -
lit is so dark l can distinguish nothing
1.-Two thirds over said one of the boat
men, { and near the deepest part of the lake.
Carl had again risen and was trying t.
take of his heavy jacket; but before HI
could accomplish this, Adolphe exclaimed
8 Now and pushed him with the end of hi
cane. Carl seized the cane firmly to saw
himself, but his brother let go and al thu
same moment one of the men seized his legs
threw him off his balance, and in an instan
he was in the water, sinking with rapidity
Il thought your courage would have fail
ed said the rufian who had aided in tn
murder. why did you let the fellow 60 Of
: with his gable l was inclined TO do
without you. If he had continued his talk
your heart would have turned to butter ; h
has a tongue to melt the devil himself, ha'
he once suspected our purpose. Holy Ma
, ny there he is again. exclaimed he as tn
: head rose above the surface Of the water; :
!, knew he was a desperate swimmer-pu
> away, pull hard out ofhis reach; at the sam
moment striking at the poor victim with hi
oar the distance was, however, too grea
to infict a serious blow it only knocked o
. his cap, and cut a wound in the forehoae
, and he sank once more out of sight.
1t is over, said the brother-'i it is over
r and he sank back fainting on the BENCH
4 Scarcely was he seated, however, when
loud scream reached his ear the poor DO
once more raised himself to the surface. an
I he saw by the faint light of the moon tn
q blood streaming down his face. With fur
$ Gus and desperate struggles he was trying I
r keep himself aAoat, while he put forth tn
most passionate appeals for mercy.
$ 20, save me, brother-let me live an
repent-Oh God, soften his heart" .o-
Then with one hand trying to buffet til
water, with the other no endeavored I
= tighten the load in his pockets they wer
firmly sewed up, and as. the dreadful trut
G flashed upon him, he screamed, 'Oh! m
: mother, my mother! my pockets. my peck
q els Oh save me, save me, broiherT'' POI
The brothers. heart,stesled as it had bee
Y by the stern arguments of his father-haI
e dened by family pride, and the dictates ns
ture perverted by a distorted sense of hor
- .- u-o:~~s n.oL - ~-ol