The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-01-13

whom Aaron Ind never even heard. Enough how
ever had been ELECTED 10 satisfy Mr. Fisk that he
had obtained clue which would enable Miss
Crawford to contend successfully against the will,
and to throw upon it a suspicion of forgery, which
he imagined it impossible that they could remove,
In tho same office where he had halched so much
harm, the Attorney sat with his arms folded, his
brows knit, and his anabIe face gathered into
! Gown which bespoke anything but mental tran
guilty. On the table near him lay note, writ
ten in the peculiar penmanship and worded with
the elegance so characteristic Of Mr. iiggs, ia
which, after informing The Attorney that he had
strong missving that they were performing the
rather imcongruous acts Of themselves in box and
into pickle, he appointed that evening to Sc him
and to discuss their plans On this note the At
orney from time to time bent his eyes, now and
then removing them to gaze ubsractedly around
the room. Ills thin lips moved and lwiichcd nor-
yousy, and at times he unolded his arms and
cInspcd his long thin fingers about his knees, sat
there n!uiionlcss looking wisirully in the smoking
cnhers, and dreaming over plans which were cor
rodng his heart and which, even if successful,
were dearly bOught, Once voice reached his
car from the streets, aud he Strengthened himself
up and listened; but i, sank suddenly into silence,
and he relapsed into his old attitude, One might
have supposed him dead for his features were
pinched anl pale, and had rigid unearlhly look
blu, for the brillinry of those huck, grcrug
eyes, and the low mullering which occasionally
escaped him.
An hour or molG passed in this manner, when
suddenly step was heard in The passage below;
then one or two heavy jrrlng rcads, rs if II per-
son had stumbled ia ascending ,he stains in the
dark. Bolton shook of his abstraction; turned To
the table ,snuilcG the candles, thrust the note which
was wing there in his pocket, drew one or two
papers near him, aud commenced whiting. In the
mean lnc the stumbling continued, until the per
son hnd surnounled the stairs, and was head coni-
; ing through the upper entry. Bolton did not raise
his eyes from the paper as he entered; but he
knew, without doing 50, that the tall garnt man
who strobe boldly in was Wilkins, Without speak
Ing, he threw his hat or chair, and shaking his
! hoal to free his face from the long crlocks which
hang over it, drew chair to the fire, seated him
SELF opposite the Attorney, with the air of one who
had every inclination, and only wanted nm excuse,
to give vent to long hoard d and abundant sup.
ply Of i'll humor,
Dolon wrote on pretending not to notice him,
until he could make up his mind how to meet him,
> Wllns however, soon solved this difficulty, by
demanding abruptly;
'Whai have YOU done IN that business Of mine;'
The Attorney raised his head, AL Wilkins
- us you? So you've come! wanted YOU
'What have yon done in that business of mine"
repeated his vlsrer, taking no notice Of the cAica-
dcd hand Of the lawyer, which accompanied The
remark.
you mean that gr;--!our w.'e;-lhc drab,'
: Come, none Of tlntH replied Wilkins, with IN
/ impatient gesture, i didn't come here TO hear
YOU call names Shes no drub; and YOU know it
= All You've got to do is 20 look to your work, and
. keep yoar tongue quiet, What have You dohc' !
: ask ag,in.'
AS yet nothing
, 'rhcn,' replied Wilkins, do nothing. Ourconl
pact is at an cnl.
Bolton laid down his pen; his face became II
shade paier, ana syoi,c lremb'cd slightly, rs he
asked
.What now, Wilkins? What do You mean"
Don't speak paia;' said Wilkins. You want
something more, do you' You shall have il; ny.
. to your hearts content
He rose, took his chair by the back, stamped it
heavily on HE noot within two feet Of the A,or-
ncv, aud sal down on it, This is VIVA, | mran,
A certain lawyer WAS to &c, George wilkins diyor-
ccd from his wife; and on condition Of his doing
50, George Wilkins was to prove a certain sigma
ture 10 il certain paper Perhaps you understand
Il thal?'
: Bolton glanced ncryousy abou, the room; for
: Wilkins spoke in a loud and excited key. well,
said hc 'wclR'
.UclH' echoed Wilkins with bitter laugh;
.ccN' A month went By. The lawyer was push
iat hi, own business on finely; bat when Wilkins
came 10 see what had been done in his, the answer
was, Nothing yet"
There was something so unusual in the manner
of his ylsi'cr, something so reckless and hooking,
and wi,hll so savage, that the Attorney fairly
qnaiIcd. 'Now what I've got 10 say Is this con-
tinued wilkins; Il want nothing farther at Your
e, hands wan, no divorce; and you, you who think
of none bat yourself; who blight and curse and
/ poison all who come in your path yoa,d-n YOU
! you may prove your will MS YOU cam May he'll
seize ne, ii ! move finger, stir Il STEP OF utter Il
word to save you from the gaows! Noe !on
understand mel
4 do replied Bolton, whose hesitation vanish