Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-03-22

wv CLUMSY TOT " pitNd't''''
Mr.. Holiness said Henry, what is that
vessel wortn?'
'She is worth twenty thousand dollars
said the owner and builder she cost that
AS she is, and she will bring twenty-five thou
sand the very hour peace is declared"
"Would YOU like the money for her at n
cash prce?"
"Nolhne would be more acceptable. But
there are not fifteen thousand dollars in the
county,"
The remarks Of Mary about her fathers
respect for II ship owner had been running in
Hrnry's head ever since they were uttered,
and he beckoned aside the owner.
"Mr. Holiness" said Henry have
commission TO fulfil, AND, as you know am
not much Of a business man, must ask you
10 consider proposition which am abou, to
make to you, and to answer me explicitly
Let me hear the proposition
Il will give you ten thousand dollars for
the brig as she now lies
'And the time of paymen, 2
within forty days. You cannot want
the money sooner; the river is frozen over,
and you could make no use of the cash be-
fore that time.
Mr. Holmes turned to Bradford, and SAID {:
70 knows He r., that I am aware tn you
have moi tho means OF payment, and also
that YOU are not person likely to be en-
ploved as AN agent in such business, and yet
have every confidence in your word
Henry explained fully to the ship owner
the state of his affairs, and exhibited to him
fl, l,,.r,, ,;cl.nt ~, a 9
Butt said Mr.. Holmes, there may be
some mistake abou, the matter, or some fail
ure of the lottery, by which shall lose.'
Henry explained his motives and wishes,
and in two hours he held in his hand bill of
sale of the brig Heveiius, which, as the pa
pers were not obtained, he Immediately re-
named Mary. The condition was. that
Henry was 10 hold the vessel for forty days,
and if, within that time, he should pay ten
thousand dollars, she was 10 be his if moi,
she was to revert to Mr.. Holmes, who, in the
mean time, held the ticket as a sort Of collat-
eral. The bill of sale, as saw it, bore date
the 9Th of February, 1915. Henry felt like
new man. He was ship owner in a place
where that character was u sort Of arstocra-
cy. He went day after day TO look at his
brig, wishing for the time TO pass away for
the prize to he paid: but lie said nothing ye,
to Mr.. Carver. .a....
One evening, while Henry was talking
with Mary, she asked him what he intended
to do with his vessel when the forty days
were up.
Rig her, bend her sails, and then sell her,
or send her TO sea-
"a A. Il Al.
ticket to Inv the hull and the standing spars,
and II will take half as much more to rig her
and find canvass and. beside that, how can
yon sell her for more than Mr.. Holmes
couldr
Henry hrsiaied; he had not thought Of
that; but he did not doubt but il would all
come right yet.
Henry was sitting the next day on the
quarter rail of his brig, looking at the n,asts,
well covered with snow and ice, and thinking
of the better appearance she would make
when the rgger had done his duty. AT
length he felt the hand of Mr.. Holmes upon
his shoulder.
Henry said the latter, I am sorry to
have bad news to tell YOU. Read that para
graph in the Boston Ccntinel.'
CnRRECTIoN.-The ticket which drew
the hglrs, prize in the Plymouth Beach
Lottery was 4, 5, 8. 2, and not, AS our COM
positors stated last week, 5, 4, 3, 2. We
that II gentleman of wealth in the
southern par. Of This town is the fortunate
holder
what do you say to that, Henry7'
'Only that the old gentleman will not now
say that have the wages of gambling
mo, nor will he give you the credit of
being ship owner said Mr.. Holmes. you
nave been unfortunate, Henry, and | am
really sorry for you.' continued Mr.. Holmes,
changing his tone considerably; 'and regret
nv own loss, as have need of the money
,nt, as You cannot pay for the brig, you
would better baud me the bill Of sale, and
ct us destroy it,
Henry drew from his pocket the precious
document, and, while lie examined it from
op to bottom, he said to Mr.. Holmes -
This affair has been To me like IA pleasant
lream, not only on account of my aspirations
or Mary, which you are acquainted with,
,ut day after day have felt a growing ener-
" for business, IA sort of Outreaching of the |
u'bus q WV" S"~" 'oc'S
10 proceed cautiously but steadily
o do what ought to have begun years since.
Then, Mr.. Holmes, as the bill has yet some
laws TO run before can be chargeable with
,lola,ion of contract, | will restore II to my
rocker book, and, If canno, dream as |
rave done, shall not, at least, be awakened
90 suddenly
Mr.. Holmes. Of course. consented, as he
ealy had no right to claim the vessel until
he forty days should have expired; and
henry wee, up to tell Nary of the new turn
lis luck had taken.
Though Mary respected her father too
much to feel pleasure in Henry's new pos
ession, ye, she loved Henry TOO much not
o feel deeply grieved at his bitter disapPoint-
nent.
THAT dream said Henry, doubtingly-
that dream has not yet come 10 pass
Some days after that there was, as usual.
gathering at the pos,oflice, at some distance
rom the ship-yard, awaiting the arrival Of
he mail. The stage, at the usual hour, drove
Up, and the driver said, as he handed the
Al Ahl