Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-12-22
MISCELLANY.
[From Blackwood's Magazine for Novomber.]
THE BANKING HOUSE.
A HISTORY IN THREE PARTS,

PART
CHAP. v.--"MtcHfNa MALIcHo; 1T MEANS MIS-
CHEF"
Reader | have no heart to proceed; am sorry |
that ] began at n-that have got thus far. 1
love Margaret, the beautiful and gentle-hlargaret,
the heart broken penitent. love her as brother;
and what brother but yearns 10 conceal his erring
sisters frailty? The faithful historian, however, is
denied the privileges Of fiction. He may not if he
would, divert the natural course of things; he |
cannot, though he pines TO do it, expunge the
written acts of Providence. Let us 90 on in
charity.
Michael Allcraft, in obedience TO his fathers
wish, came home He was in his twenty fourth
year, stood six feet high, and was handsome aud
we'll proporoned. He was a youth of ardent
temperament liberal and high spirited How he
became the son of such a sire is TO me mystery. |
1t was not in the affections that the defects of Mi
chaels character were found. These were warm, |
full OF the flowing milk of human Kindness
Weakness, however, was apparent in the more
solid portions of the edifce. His morals il must
be confessed, were very lax-hs principles I'M
steady and insecure--and how could it be other !
wise Deprived of his mother at his BIRTH aud
from that hour brought up under the eye and III.
teage Of man who had spent life in the educa-
ton OF one idea-who regarded money making as
the business, the duty, The pleasure, the very soul
of our existehce-who Judged of the worth of
mankind--of men, and women and children-ac-
virtuous who were rich all guilty who were poor
whose spirit WAS 80 intent upon accumulation,
that il did not stop to choose the straight and open
roads that led TO IT, but often crept through many
crooked and unclean-brought up say, under
such father and a guide, was it a wonder that
Michael was imperfect in many qualities of mind
that reason with him was no tutor, that his un.
ders,audug failed to be, as Southey expresses it, |
the soul's upper region, lofty and serene, free
from the vapors and disturbances OF the inferior
affections Z" In truth there upper region at
ALL and very little serenity in Michaels compost
tion.-He was a restless and excitable man-full
ofgenerous impulses, as have limited, but sudden
and hasly in aclion-swift in anger-impalient of
restraint and government. His religious views
we're somewhat dim and undistingushabe even
TO himself He believed--as who does not-in
the Great First Cause and in the usefulness of re-
ligion as an instrument of good in the hands of
government. do not think he troubled himself
any further with the subject He sometimes on
the Sabbath went to church, but ottener stayed at
home, or sought excitement with a chosen friend
or two abroad. He hated protesting people, as
they are called, and would rather shake hands
with housebreaker than saint.
1t has been necessary to state these particulars
in order 10 show how thoroughly he lived uninfiu.
enced by the high motives which are at once the
inspiration and the happiness Of all good men
how madly he rested on the conviction that re-
ligion is abstract matter, and has nothing more
branch of metaphysics But in spite of this I'M
sound state ofthngs the gentleman possessed all
the SNOWY suriace-virlues that 60 so very far
toward eliciting the favorable verdict of mankind.
He prided himself upon delicate, surprising
sense of honor He protested himself ready to
part with his life rather than permit falsehood to
escape his lips he would have bushed TO think
dishonestly-io act so was impossible. Pride stood
him herein the stead of holiness for the COM
mand which he refused to regard at the bidding
of The Almighty, he implicitly obeyed at the soil
citation of the most ign0ble of his passions II is
difficult 10 imagine a more dangerous companion
for young widow than Michael AIlcraft was
likely TO Prove. ManlIness OF demeanor and
handsome face and figure, have their intrinsic
value. If you add to these cultivated mind, a
most expressive and intellectual conntenance rich
hazel eyes, full OF love as fire, warm inpul-
sve nature, shrinking from oppression, active in
kindness and deeds OF real benevolence-you will
not fail 10 tremble for my Margaret. Abraham
Allcralt was too shrewd man to allude even re-
motley to the actual reason of his sons recall
He knew very well that 10 hint at it was in the
very ouise. 10 defeat his purpose. He acted far
more cautiously Michael had received first
educaon-he had been 10 the Universily-he ha1
travelled through Italy and Germany aud when
he received his fathers letter was acquiring bust
ness habits in a banking house in London L,
was high time TO settle seriously to work so
thought Allcraft senior, and suddenly determined
/" He himself was getting DID, lie SAID. "Who
, knew VIVA, would happen? Delays were danger
Gus. He would delay no longer Now he was
well, aud Michael might learn and profit by his
long experience" Michael consented why should
he moi ?-to be the junior partner in the prosper
Gus house OF Allcralt senior and Son. Three
months's passed speedily, and Margaret still con-
tinued Abraham's tenant. She had lost the stiuQ
of her sorrow in the scenes of natural beauty bv
which she was surrounded She had lived IN
strict retirement and gentle tide OF peace was
flowing gradually and softly TO her soul again
She thought of quitting the tranquil cot with pain
and still fixed day after day Tor her departure
that she could not lake. The large house associ.
clated as it was with all her grief, looked dlsma
at distance. How would it be when she re-
turned TO H. and revisited the we'll known rooms
Every article Of furniture was one way or olhe,
connected with the departed. She never-nC
never, could be happy there again. The secu
sion TO which she doomed herself had not pre-
vented Abraham Allcrah from being her dali,
visitor. His age and character protected her from
calumny. His sympathy and great attention had
meried and won her unaffected gratitude She
received his visits with thank iulness aud courtec
them. The wealth which il was known he pos
sessed acquitted him of all sinister designs and i
was easy aud natural to attribute his regard and
tenderness TO the pity which good man feels fol
bereavement such as she had undergone.
ihe close OF six months found her still residing
q. .he cottage, and Abraham still constant and
unllrlng friend. lie had been unfortunate enough
TO give her able and important counsel. In IN
disposition OF part OF her property he had evin-
ced so great respect for her interest, had regard