Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-10-06
'IIumph = said Mr.. Queer, looking round

upon the company assembled. 'Good hon
est looking people these-they haven't come
to pick your pockets, Volney, III be sworn.
Couldn't say as much for the men and women
you used to have at your house, when you
gave your fine dinners and balls allow me
to shake hands with you, Miss-young man,
l an happy to mako your acquaintance
your servant, SIR
And in this way, while Charlotte and her
husband stood petrifed with establishment at
his assurance, Mr.. Queer went round the
whole circle, shaking hands with all, Mr..
Messenger, last though not least.
And now, Charlotte, let me see the little
new conner. Does she look like you, you
pretty rogue? 2
There was an air of authority about Mr..
Queer, which was irresistible /; and Char
lotte led the way through the folding doors,
to the crib where her infant daughter lay
nestled.
Charming shall I wake her if l kiss
her7 Perhaps not said Mr.. Queer, and
bending over, he gently kissed the little
sleeper.
Volney began 10 chafe. To think that
old Queer, after treating him and his wife so
atrociously, should have the confidence to
visit them, and behave in this manner, was
insupportable. tie was about to break forth,
and threaten him with an Immediate arrest,
when the old gentleman led the way back
into the parlor, and taking his seat, dropped
his hat and cane upon the floor, and rubbing
his hands, said
Well, this is what | call comfort. But
Volney, before you explode in a passion,
hear what have to say. | have come to
surrender to you the whole ofyour wife's for
tune, in the full persuasion that you are now
able to manage it, and spend the income with
judgment and moderation. And a nice round
sum 1t all amounts to, | can tell you. Why
lad, the property with which you embarked
upon matrimony wouldn't make a tenth par,
of it. Your house, with all the furniture.
precisely as it existed in the hey-day of YOU
/, extravagant career, is at your SERVICE
Hero is the key. Take it, sir-but dom
, speak yet. saw you entering upon a ca.
reer of profusion, which would soon have
brought you to the erd of any fortune how.
ever princely. Surrounded by false frieud
and adroit parasites, you and Charlotte be
lieved that you were worshipped for the quail
tiles of your hearts and heads, when 70,
were courted merely or account of your fn'
= house and loaded table. resolved to Civ,
t you an opportunity of testing the genuinenes
$ Of those dear friends-ofw innowing the grail
from the chaff. The grain is, l presume, be
fore me. Cherish it, Volney, but let tin
winds take care of the chat. As for myself
s l have passed the last three years in Paris
Y but have been constantly in communication
: with persons who have been constantly ap
prised of every event, however trihing, il
i your history and that of my ward. Come t
S my house tomorrow morning at ten O'Clock
$ aud | will hand you over a little tin box, il
: which you will find some papers that ma,
o interest you. Oblige me by not saying
!, single word more than 8 Good night If
e is agreeable to the company, | propose tina
S we all meet at your house in --Place
4 tomorrow evening"
Y Agreed cried Mr.. Messenger.
Sir, have a high respect for you,' sal,
e Mr.. Queer, again shaking hands with his ven
. cradle coeval. And now, good night all.
. Good night was the general response
y Many notable incidents followed in TIN
n train of this denoument. Old Mr.. Messin
ger and Mr.. Queer became great friends
I from the fact that both were admirable chess
t players. Having a large house, and Ii,
. longer a wife to keep it in order, Mr.. Quee
insisted upon having Mary to preside owe
his household, assigning rooms to the who'll
: family, not forgetting the chess-player. Mr.
e Winsolc's prospects have materially bright
ened since this project has been carried int.
v effect, and some law business given 10 hin
/ by Mr.. Queer, has been the means of intro
, ducing him into lucrative practice. He i
now daily inquiring Of Mary, why defc
. the happy dayr