Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-02-16
VOL. 80, NO. 24.-wHOLE NO. 194s.


ever and anon casts rueful glance the shout
der OF his friend, upon the papers which his friend
IS busy with. No one speaks At intervals Mr..
Bellaniy coughs extensively g. loudly, just 10 show
his dignity and Independence, and TO assure the
company tina, his conscience is very tranquil on
the occasion that his firm withers are unrung l"
and Mr.. Bramme struggles, like III taught bull
finch, to produce whistle, and fails in the at.
tempt. With these exceptions, we have silent
room. A quarter of an hour passes. Michael
finishes his work. He spends one momen, in re-
Election, and then he spenks:--
Now gentlemen, he begins with deep sigh,
that seems to carry from lis heart load OF care
-" Now, if you please"-
The paper and the poker are abandoned, chairs
are drawn towards the baize covered table. The
partners sit and look at one another face TO face.
Gentenen," said Michael, ut first slowly and
seriously, and in tone which none might hear
beyond their walls" you do not, ! am sure, re-
quire me TO advert to all the causes which have
rendered this meeting necessary. | have no de-
sire TO use reproaches and shall refer as little
ms may to the past. ask you oil to do the JUS
lice. Have ! not labored like slave for a COM
mon good? Have not toed in order TO avoid
the evil hour That has come upon us? Have
not given every thing-have not robbed anolh-
er III order TO prop up our house and keep its
name from inlamy "
BE calm, be calm" interposed Mr.. Bethany
voice at the concluding words.
"Culm calm, Mr.. Bethany T. exclaimed the
unhappy speaker, renouncing without hesitation
all attempts At the suauiier in modo, and yet fear
iul of showing his Indignation and of being over
heard" Calm. II 10 we'll for you to talk so.-
Had been less calm, less easy had done my
duty-had l been determined seven years ago,
this cruel day would never have arrived. You
are my witness that il never would"
Mr.. Ballamy rose with much iormality from his
seat.
Gentlemen" he said, I" cannot submit to dark
and plebenn innuendoes. have come here to-
day, at great personal Inconvenience, and ! am
prepared 10 listen respectfully to any thing which
MIR, Allcrait thinks it is his duty TO bring before
us. But | must have you remember that gen.
teman aud u man Of honor cannot brook un in
suit"
81 ask you pardon, sir" added Allcraft, in q
tone of bllterness-'' meant no insult. Pray be
seated. l have the honor 10 present you with
statement of our affairs. We have claims upon
us, amounting to several thousand pounds which
must be met within week. third OF the sum
required will not be at our command. How is it
TO he Obtained? and, if obtained, how is it TO re.
pair HE mi oads which, year after year, have been
made upon the house, and how secure it from
further spoiIation? IL is useless and absurd 10
hide from ourselves any longer the glariDg fact
that we are on the actual verge of bankruptcy"
wen! nave lldu HOtnltib W 10 WIN
You can't say lis me-" CALCULATED MIR. Bramnel.
You have hnd the management in your own
hands, und so you have nobody but yourself TO
think for il, thought from the beginning how
the concern would turn out!"
" Your share, sir, in (urthering the interests of
the bank we will speak OF shortly" said Michael,
turning 10 the speaker with contempt. I'VE have
little time Tor recrimination now"
| Gas for recfimnation, MIR. Alcraf" interposed
Mr.. Beamy, II" must be allowed 10 say, that Cd
beray a very improper spirit in this business-ve.
y-very. You are far from being temperate"
Temperate y
eyes; said So"
"Mr. Bellamy !" said Allcraft, bursting with
rage, I" | have been your partner for eight years
| have not for moment deserted my post, or
sackened in my dutr. ] have given my health
my strength, my peace of mind to the house. 1
have drawn less than your clerk from It's resources
but l have added TO them, wrongiuIly, cruelty
and unparionably, from means not my own
which, in common honesty, ought never TO have
iouched-whcl"-
Really, really, Mr.. Allcrait," said Bellamy in
errupling him, "yuu have told US every word o
tins before"
"N oil, sir" continued The other. al nm intem
peruie und you shall have my excuse for being so
You, Mr. Bethany, have never devoted one mo
nent OF your time to The interests Of this house
no. not moment. You have, without the slight
est hesitation or relnorse sucked its life bloot
from it. You have borrowed, rs these accounts
will show, thousands OF pounds, aud paid Then
back with promises and words. You engaged t
produce your fair proportion Of capital; you hav,
given nothing. You have made grand professions
of adding strength and stability TO the firm; yol
have been its stumbling block md hinderance."
"Mr A'lcrait," sud Belnmy coolly, "you ar.
still very young man."
Have told you the truth ?"
UPshaw. mani Sneak 10 the mint Sneak Z,
the point, SIR. We have heavy payments du,
next week. Are we prepared TO meet Item %
EMO nor shall we be-"
"Thafs unfortunate" added Mr. Bellatny, yer,
quietly. "fou are sure OF that? You canno
help us-wiih another loan, for instance?'
Michael answered with determination" No."
"Very well. No violence, Mr.. Allcrait, pray
Such being The case, shall decline, at present
giving any answer 10 the unjust, inhumsn obser
walton you have made upon my conduct. Painful
as il is 10 pass this barbarous treatment over fo
the present, still my own private affairs shall be a
nothing in comparison with the general good
This provided Tor, shall protect myself from tu
ture insult, depend upon ii. You are wrong Nj
Allcrait very wrong. You shall ackno wedge
it. You will he sorry for the expression which
you have cast upon gentleman, your senior il
years, aud here very loud cough let me
udd-in social station. Now, sir, let ne beg
word or Two IN private
IL was very unfortunate that HE whole estab-
lishment stood in unaffected awe fine redoubt
ed Mr.. Bethany. Allcralt, notwithstanding hi.
knowedge Of The man. g. his previous attack upoi
his character, was not, at this moment, free from
the fascination aud at The eleventh hour he iaunt
il difficult to entirely withdraw his confidence il
Mr.. Belamy's ultimate desire 10 deal honorabll
and Justly by him. Much of the Aloguls powII
was unquesIionably derived from his nassiv
physique but his chief excellence Ivy in that pc
cular off hand paironzng, lake-il-for granite,
air, which he made it point to assume to ever
one with whom he came in contact. lie hat
scarcely requested few minutes conversation
wnh AIlcrait, before Palmer aud Brammel jump
cd Involuntary from their seats, us il in obedon ),
TO the word oil command, aud edged towards III,
door,
"lf you please,' continued MIR. Bellamy, nod
ding 10 Them very graciousy; and they departed
Ia the course of few minutes they were recalled
by the autocrat himself The gentlemen resumed
their seats, aud this time, Mr.. Bethany addressed