Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-06-16

s,raightway your affairs go wrong. But as
evil eyes are grown out Of fashion, and as he
is decidedly IN fashion, must merely con-
cludc, that he has fund of the most mis-
chievous ingenuity
Our hero (f so we may call the person.
age who principally figures in the narrative
we are about to relate) overheard this remark;
for, by coincidence, he CHANGED at the
moment to be standing near. He bowed
quietly and then with that slow and distinct
utterance for which he was remarkable,
smilingly said,
'Ah you and ought to be the dearest
friends, there is quite congenlality of sem
timent between US. I am uncharitably in
genious; you uncharitably witty. A talent
is sometimes very great temptation
Such then was his reputation, and such
the sentence awarded to him by the voice of
fashion.
1t was about two years afterwards that the
ministerial crisis, to which we have already
once alluded, came darkening over the po-
litical world. Our hero was then private
secretary to the prime>minister. For the
sake of districtness, we shall in future call
the secretary D'Amarrs. This was no. his
real name, but it will serve the purpose Of
our narrative.
One evening, then, at this epoch, D'A-
mars was summoned to the minister's closet.
After the usual preliminaries of etiquette,
which are never in such cases very tedious,
the premier plunged in medias, res, but still
with characteristic elaboration.
Matters, D'Amarrs,' said he, ARE in a
way, and so for succeeding; but there are
two or three little delicate points still to be
achieved
The secretary bowed forward.
ID, Amarrr," continued the premier,
you have proved to me repeatedly, in a
manner of which cannot but be sensible,
that you possess extraordinary talents.
am very we'll pleased with your conduct,
and hope that you are equally well pleased
with your post
AS he was here clearly expected to an
swer, D'Amarrs muttered something abou,
highly hattered, undated ZEAL after which
the premier resumed.
: But this very post of yours may be occu-
pied by another in a few days, D'Amarrs.
Can you guess the reasonl'
Perhaps replied the secretary, with his
usual cool tone. perhaps, my lord, 1t is be-
cause your lordshp's post also may be occu-
pied by another in a few days. Have l by
chance guessed the reason?'
Hem, D'Amarrs, you have,' answering
the minister; but this double misfortune you
are destined to avert. You must here bring
your talents into play
D'Amarrs stirred the fire, and then Lean
ed comfortably back in his chair, but did not
utter word. AS the minister continued to
scru,inize him, the secretary arose and snuff.
ed the two candles, one after another, after
which, with the utmost sang troid, he rcsea-
ted himself, preserving all the while the
most tantalising silence.
The fact Is, resumed his lordship at last
'there is, you are aware, Mr.. Warncrston in
the lower house who has three or four votes
at his command. lie must be gained
True, my lord: so he must
But it is not so easy an affair as YOU sup
pose, continued his lordship. He is well
enough disposed himself, but an unusual diff
ficulty lies in the way; indeed, it's quite a
peculiar case, and just suited to you. There
is an enthusiastic friendship between hi,
daughter and the daughter of the leader O
the opposition, Sir George Crake. Now
the girls know the state Of parties, and are
well vcrsed, it seems in politics; and Mis-.
Warnerston has been played upon by hcl
friend Miss Crake, not to allow her father tC
destroy the harmony of the families, by vo'
ting against her father.-And what between
the doubling politician and the doting papa
this Warnerston throws the little prediction
he had for us to the winds, and means to ioir
the opposition. You see the whole affair i.
a pi,iful intrigue, D'Amarrs. The womer
arc perpetually in the way. Now, what
want you to do is, to bring the two young la
dies to feud. Warnerston of course woult
then be certain
But how much time will your lordshiI
give me to effect this purpose 2 demanded
the youthful confdan,.
'Uutil the day after Tomorrow said tn,
minister. The two young ladies will be a
the Duchess of Hanvers' ball tomorrow
night, and you should choose that opportun
ty for enecting the point
AS the secretary here thoughtfully arose
and walked towards table behind, as if t.
look for something, the premier imagined
was in reference to the communication HI
had just been making, that D'Amarra occu
pied himself. lie therefore waited patient
ly to hear him speak, expecting that there
might, perhaps, be some objection in tn
others mind, or some cautious suggestion
Finding, however, that he still continued (,
| look about, his lordship said
Well, D'Amarrs what do you think O
the task which have charged you withr
Eth, my lord 2 said D'Amarrs. turnin.
round with a start. 'Oh beg ten thou
sand pardons but could not imagine tina
your lordshp was still thinking of the mat
ter. II is arranged
As the minister was that night leaving hi
closet in state of the highest satisfaction
with his secretary, whom he had bid goo'
night to some hours before, he met one o
his own colleagues in Office Just outside tn
door.
'Ah my lord said he, rubbing his hand
with an air of gee, 'Warnerston is certain
D'A mars has undertaken the natter
But Miss Crake 2 returning the brothe