Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-03-01


movements IN the bank-and folding his arnis, lie
looked doggodly on, aud cIenched his teeth, and
lrowned lie saw the fortunate few who came
for money and received it-and the unfortunate
many, who brought their money--lefi, and lost H..
He was Indifferent to all. He beheld-as the spir
its may be supposed to look upon the earth
moment before lie sweeping pestiIcnce that comes
to thin t--llfe, vigorous and active, in that house
OF business whose latest hour had cOme-whose |
knell was already sounding but it moved him
not tie heard men speak his name in tones of
kindness, whose lips on the morrow would deal
out curses. lie saw others, hat in hand begging
Tor an audience, who would avoid him with a
aneer and a scornng when no passed thein in The
streets lie looked upon his own servants, who
could not flatleY their master too highly to-day,
aud would he tho first Tomorrow 10 cry him down.
and rail against his objectionable exIravn gance and
reckessntss; but he needed nothing His mind
had suspended its operations, whilst his physical
eye stared upon vacancy.
II was very strange. lie continued in this FASH
ion Tor u long time, and suddenly seHsblity SEEM
ed restored TO him; for an nshy paIeness came
over him-hs o, eIlds rembled, and his lips were
drawn down convulsveIy, if through strong
and heavy grief. lie instantly, rushed TO the
bell, aud rang it violently.
Burrage came to answer it,
Monster! exclaimed his master, gazing al him
spllciuIiy have you no heart-no feeling left with
in you? How could you do III?
do what, sir 2
Rob that poor old man. Plumber and kill that
hoary unoffendmg creature. Why did you take
his miserable earnings? Why did you rob his
little ones! Why clutch the bread from his star
wing grandchildren lie will die of broken
heart, and will plead against me a, the judgment
seat. why was that old mans money laken?
'We must take all, or nothing sir. You forbade
me to speak yllable.'
Speak speak Yes, but could you not have
given him n look, one mercilul look, 10 save his
lie, and my soul from everlasting ruin ? You
might, you could have done it, but you conspire
TO overthrow me. Go-but mark me-breath not
IL word, if you hope TO live
The poor clerk held up his hands shook them
ptiousIy, sighed, aud went his way again.
1t was six o'clock in the evening, and every soul
connected with the bank except Michael and Bur-
rage, had left it. They were both in the private
room, which The former had not Quilted during
the day. Michael was writing letter the clerk
was standing mourniulIy at his side. When the
note was finished, directed, and sealed, Ailcrat
turned TO his old friend and spoke
Il shall not sleep at home tonight, Burrage. |
have business which must be TO-
Indeed, cir, you had better go home. You are
very unwell.'
Silence, once more. | tell you, Burrage, it
cannot he. This business must no, be neglected.
| have written to Mrs. Allcrafi, explaining the rea-
son Of my absence. You will yourself deliver the
letter to her, with your own hands, Burruge. You
henr me ?
Yes, SIR iaercd Burrage, wishing himself
deaf.
} very well. l have no more to say. Good-by
good night.
Good night, SIR said the man, walking slowly
off,
Stay, Burrage. You are true old friend my
, oldest. Give me your hand. have spoken uu-
y kindy-veIy hurshly and cruelty to-day. Do moi
5 think i'll Of me. My temper has been soured by
the troubles OF life. You forgive me for my anger
D do you not !?
/ The old man did not answer lie could NOT
He held the hand OF his master tightly in his wn
He drew it TO his lips and kissed il aud then, a.
shamed not Of the act but of his unnaniy tears
= he walked slowly to the door, and quilted the
I room-his head bending 10 the earth, whence i
= never again was raised.
< Two hours later Michael was many miles away
= He had followed TO his humble home the age,
i man who had that morning paid his substance in
To The bunk. Much rs he had TO answer for, Mi
chHel could not bear to carry about with him tin
know dye that he had ruined and destroyed liz
i grey haired lnlourer. Why und how it was lha
e lelt so acueiy Tor the stunger, and selected hin
) from the hundreds who were beggared by hi
failure, II is impossible guess. 1t is certain tina
he restored every siXpence that had been deposit
II ell in The morning, and could not die until he ha
II done so.
o Where Allcrait passed tho night was neve
. known. lie was punctual 10 his nppointmer
It on the following morning and so was MIR. Bella
my. II is due 10 the latter 10 stale that at TN
! latest moment he willing, as tar us in hin
1t lay, to settle the difference without proceeding
= extreme measures All that man could offer
ssho did not wish 10 be suspected OF rank cover
n Dice he offered withou; reservation. But Acrai
h? was nexorahle lie repeated his insult on TIN
= ield ; and there was nothing 10 be done but L
q make him accountable for his words nj the poin
Of the pistol-to receive and give the satisfaction
Il ofu Sati ru
o Of man whom he had deeply injured, could af
h ford the high born MIR. Bethany that gentleman
enjoyed in a very few minutes after his arrival
: for he shot his antagonist in the mouth, saw hin
5 spinning in the air, and afterwards lying at hi
Q teet--nn object that could not be recognlZed-t
it spectacle for devils to rejoice in. Happy IN,
Il man who may not have or feel such exquisite ant
= noble SUBTRACTION!
Acrafl was not cold before Belatny was
d soa, sailing for France. The latter had not pu
d his loot upon foreign soil, before his property wa
Il seized by hungry creditors. The bank wa
h closed. Burrage himself pasted on tue shutter
Il the paper which notified lis failure. Augusta
!. Theodore Bramme heard OF the stoppage whi
4 he was AT breakfast slipping chocolate and great
n ~ lie rejoiced lhereat. His delight was sensbl
v diminished in the course OF The morning, he
: he received letter informing him OF his father
Il death, aad an inIimaon from n lawyer that eve
Y ry arihing that he inherited would be taken lron
d him, as goods and chattes, for tho discharge o
q claims which the creditors OF The bank might hay
I. against him. Later in The day, he heard of ALI
= crafts death aud Iellamy's escape and then h
a rushed into a chemists shop and bought an ounc
J. Of ursenc but attei lie Dad purchased H. he hat
i not the heart 10 swallow it. Enraged beyo
= MISUNDERSTANDING not what to do nor upo
c whom 10 vent his rUge-it suddenly occurred &
Il him to visit Mrs. Allcran, aud TO worry her will
o his complaints lie hnrried TO her house an
= forced himself into her presDce. We will not fol
Inv i'm tar ai 10 md lao bnt I'm
d the heart of man, would desecrale The hearth hal
s. lowed by uihlction, deep aud lerrbele as that 0
: poor Margaret?
X cAHP. vII,-THE vICARAGE.
= Oar history began al the vicarage; and Their
o lot it end Il is a cheerful summers morning
y and Margaret sits in the study OF her rlenu, DIT
= Middleton, who has learned to look upon MI
v rl,.rya ~ ,no, a d,,uh,ar She ia still altiret