Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-02-23
MONTPELIER, FRIDAY, FEB. %, ts44.


-
his friend and partner TO the enrth md trod him
there to death, as he confronted and upbraided
him.
"Now, sir" roared Acraft in his fury, &c what
excuse, what lie have you at your tongues end to
pallia,e this What can Justify this ? Will YOU
never be satisfied until YOU have rendered me the
same hopeless helpless creature that found you,
when dragged you from your beggary2 Answer
me"-
There is nothing like paintive retort when your
case IS utterly indeensibe. Pnnner looked at the
letter. read 1t, then turned his eyes mildly and re-
proachlul'y upon his accuser.
michael Allcrait," he said affectingly, "you
treat me cruelty"
"l| answered the other asounded, ~ treat you.
Flanner, entrusted you years ago with secret.
paid you well for keeping il. Could dream that
nothing would satisfy your rapacity but my de-
structlon? Could suppose it have fed your
ravenous desire. | have submitted to your en-
croachments Do you ask for soul as well as body?
Let me know what il is you ask, what have to
pay let me hear the worst, and-prepare for all
my punishment"
have listened TO all you have said" coniinu-
ed Pisaner. sand do consider inysefan iused
man."
Michael stared.
Yes mean it, have worked like negro
Tor you, hllcrait, and this is the return you mike
tit is most, most cruel ~
" What do you mean?'
!" Have not always promised to share my gains
with you Z"
"Pshaw-your gains-where are they"
"Thats nothing 10 the point. Did not prom
Use
WeiI-well."
"And now, alter ali my labor and struggling
because have failed, you wish 10 turn me off,
and throw me on the world. Now sneak The truth,
man is II not so Z"
oh, Palmer was n cunning creature and so was
Michael AIlciaft Mark them both. This idea,
which Planner deemed too good to be seriously
entertained by his colleague, had never once oc-
Cured TO Mirhnel-but II seemed so promising,
aud so likely, if followed up, to relieve him effect
ually of his greatest plague, and OF any floating i'll
report that he had no hesitation in adopting it at
once lie did not answer, but he tried to look as
if his partner had exactly guessed his actual in
tention. Sweet gentlemen both.
" I thought So" continued the injured Palmer.
Michael, you do not know me. You do not I'M
dersand my character. | am child to persuade
but rock ifyou aiten, to force me, l shall not
desert the bank, whilst there is chance of paying
back all that we have drawn"
we, sir"
"1es, we You and together for our schemes,
and you alone for private purposes You recollect
your fathers debts"
w nv th'hN W tiitchiCu UC liltO luT-
Their compromise. Y ou can brighten the no longer,
be sure OF that Your transactions are the common
talk oil the cv-ihe bank is stignnlized by its
connexion with you"
"Curse The bank" snid Palmer fretuly.-
"Would to Heaven never had heard of it,"
leave it, then, and rid Yourself OF the appoy-
ance-you are free TO do it,
"What, aud leave behind the every chance OF
realizing competency for my old age? Oh
Michael shame, shume."
"Compctency? Arc you serious? Are you
same ! Competency Why, the labor Of you,
life will not make good Il tube of what you have
squandered"
"Come, come, Michael you know better. You
knoy wNii enough that one lucky turn would sci
us up Mt iast. Speak like man. Say that you
want 10 grasp all-lhat you are tired of me thai
you are sick OF the old face and wish 10 seq me
back. Put the thing in it's proper light and yol
shall not find me herd to deal with"
Planner you ARE deceived Your mind is full
of fancy ard deluson, & that has been your curse
and mine.'
"Very we'll Have your way but look you
| Michael you are anxious TO get rid oil me-there'
| no denying that. There is no reason we SHOULD
| quarrel on that account. | would sacrifice ny
prospects, were they double what they are, rattle
! than beg you to retain me- did not ask for
share IN your bank. You sought me, and cam
at your request. Blot out the past. Release m,
| Huul lilt ueD llIhl SthlluS ugulHoi my
am gone. As came n, your bidding, SO at you
bidding am ready to depart"
agreed" said Acra almost before the will
Palmer finished. Ii is done. consent 10 you
proposal. A dissolution shall be drawn up withou
delay, aud shall be published in the very neS
gazette"
"And publish with it," said Palmer, Ikea mar
Tyr as he was, the fate OF him who gave up all I
his own high sense OF honor, and his friends in
gratitude"
So Palmer spake, scarcely crediling his goo
fortune and almost mad with JOY at his delivernnc
He had no rest until the seals were fixed TO I'll
parchment and the warrant OF his release appeare
IN public print Within week the tettered ma
was Tree. Within another week his boundln
spirits came ike springIlde back to him, and
less than eight aud twenty days OF freedom an
repose, he recovered quite as lnany years OF swet
and precious life. lie made quick use of his wing
Al first, like wild aud liberated bird, he sporte
ond tunbled IN the air, and hxed upon no parut
ular aim: a thousand caDtyaIinp objects 500