Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-01-12

Ell, anu WIN twenty thousand POUNDS Hhu pui-
chased for him junior partners interest in the
estate The hopeful boy was admitted into tho
concern during his residence in Oxford. lie had
never been seen, but his father was man of sub
stnnce, well known and esteemed. The character
which he gave with his was undeniabe. lIs
truth could not be questioned back ed as II was by
90 liberal an advance.
Let it no, DO supposed that Michael in his anx-
ety 10 involve other men in his own fearful re-
sponsibiy, was injudicious enough 10 act with
ont all fOrethough and consideration. Not he.--
He had inherited from his sire the valuable fac
| ulty of detecting the wishes and views Of men in
| their external evidences On the countenance of
men he read their hearts. 1t did not take long 10
| discover that the venerable Mr. Brammel and the
! naughty Mr.. Bethany, were bent upon the part
nership, and would secure il at my cost Satisfied
of this, like lazy and pethoric fish he kept With
in sight fhis bait, close upon it, without degning
! FOR time az much as to nibhle u was his wiien
! lac chose 10 Ute. Bul there were deep inquiries
! TO make and many thugs 10 do, before he could
inplicate himself so far. In every available quar-
ter he sought information respecting tho ono part
ner, ard the father Of the other, and of both Tie
intelligence that he received well repaid his trou-
| BILE. Nothing could be more promising and salts
factory. Nor did he content himself with such
| arms against the se6slness of gentlemen, who
| lie was shrewd enough TO know were seeking
only their own advantage in their earnest desire
of union with him. He had an eye 10 the bal
| ance OF power.
Two men, united and active in the firm, putting
together on all occasions, might, not by one blow,
perhaps but in the course Of time, and by accu-
mulatng force and skill Gust him from!his present
elevated and natural position Once admit them
| TO authority and the limits of their dominion must
| he prescribed by their own sense of honor, or by
the opportunities afforded them of supremacy
aud Independent action. Michael the mpulsive,
saw and felt this most acntey, and took occasion,
from their eagerness to ensure proper equibri-
UNI Of tho forces, before permitting them TO Goa
lUsce. There lived in the same city with Michael,
and within quarter of milo Of the banking
house. an individual to whom he turned his
thoughts in an emergency. Mr.. Palmer was his
name, and his character s worth more than a
mere passing observation. He was study FOR
an artst--a lesson for mankind lie was man
Of surprising abilities, i'll directed, aud badly edu-
Gated, nj any period of his life capable of any
thing-to the last moment OF his existence accom-
plishng nothing. FROM child he had displayed
a love of admiration aud applause, craving after
superiority and distinction, burning ambition for
fame. lie had the body of giant, and giants
mental apparatus. But with all his gifts, physical
and spiritual, all his energies and aims, he arrived
at middle age, melancholy spectacle of failure
and incompetency. There was object
which he could pursue with steadiness and patti
ence-no single mark to which he could perse
vereingly apply the combined powers of his gifted
intellect.
lie FILTERED his faculties upon hundred trfles,
|
8 once. Pride, emulation, and the internal con-
SERIOUSNESS of strength, led him, year after year,
and day after day, into difficulties and trials, and
carried him through them only to drag him into
deeper There was no man whom he would al
, low to perform any one thing 80 skiiuy as him
0 self. There was no branch of knowledge into
which he did not grope his way, and from which
he could not manage TO extract sufficien: learning
, to render his conceit iutolerable and his opposl-
: ton dangerous to more eruaite antagonist. lie
1 could build u church-dam river-lorm a COM
3 pany.-warm n house-coo room-one and all
4 he would undertake at a minutes notice, and en-
gage execute better than any other person liv-
: ing. lie asserted it with confidence, aud you be-
n lieyed him when he spoke with all the earnesness
o of sef.conviction and truth. He despised all
: works-a theories but his own and these were
# unapproachabe, inimitabe. lie wrote with his
own invented pen-used his own ink-sat oh his
y own chair, made with his own Incompatible tools
q Men were Ignorant. behnd their ags--burdsnod
IS with superstition, clogged by false principles
" This was text from which he never ceased &c
r preach. As youth he was engaged IN profitable
y business. Before he reached his thirlieth year, ht
IF had realized handsome competency. He retired
l. from his occupation, and went abroad 10 found
or city across the ocean, with views that were un
H. known 10 man, and which well carried out, mus
v. prove iniallibe. He chose spot removed from
Y civilized sociely-liyed for three years among
ic tribe of savages and came home at last without
Of farthing in his scrip-beggared but not depressed
I'd He had dwell for many months in district 0
II, swamps, and he had discovered method of drain
TO ing lands cheaper and more cffectuul than an,
no hitherto attempted. lie contracted 10 empty som
I'd thousand acres-began his work, succeeded for
Bh time and failed at las!, from having falsely cacu
- lated his expenses and for lack of means 10 carr
DIS out his plans. There were few public matters i
ok which Mr. Plummer did not NEEDLE. He wrot
sr pamphlets and hints, and "origina views" b
IN dozens. His articles on the currency and cor
laws, full OF racy hints and striking points
It's his criticism the existing state OF art, worthy
or artists best attention.
of The temper of Mr.. Palmer was much as nigh
he be expected from such a mass of arroganC
ed and conceit A man who in the easness of hi
his heart would listen humbly, patiently, approving
ly, 10 Mr.. Palmer, must not pronounce the arder
ad character an angel. The remarkable docilit
ID which Mr.. Palmer evinced under such treamen
lii was only TO be equalled by the yoluby an
e pleasure with which he communicated his hume
not GUS and ingenious IDEAS Sceplics-nay, men WI
il had ventured only to contend for the soundne
my of their preconceived ideas, aud who had bee
rn, met with torrent OF viuperatlon and reproach
= cOnsequence-did not hesitate TO call Mr.. PlHnn
as the devil ncarDate. Such as he was, he h
become an agent and tool, in The hands of A
ngs crafts father. Michael had been his friend
he years, and Palmer liked the boy who had ev
on regarded him with ave and veneration. III
ma. youth had been lungh, by his parents to note Il
i've faults and Inconsistencies of his character b
ing these had not rendered him insensbe TO the Il
sh. ents which commanded even the discerning ~
md rents respect and admiration. 1t was this perso
His age, for some years the hanger on at bank, al
age the traveller aud negotiaor of many things {
AN Allcrait senior, whose name suggested to Micha
one the means OF providing against the encroac
ner Inenis Of his future brethren. Planuer could
res, relied upon. The smallest possible interest in Il
ing business would incite in him corresponding il
the terest in it's prosperity, and secure his steadine
OF and good behaviour. w hy not Uffer il then, a
ons make his entrance into the firm sine oIa non
the The bargain with Belapy and BrammelP He
was yolyed the matter, and saw no real objection TO
for Planner was renuted n first rate accountant,
Fdly services would be important and no remunorati
hre could be too great provided he would settle dow
ON and INK his energies upon the great object Of a
arly vancing the welfare of the establishment. 1