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


not surprised, but satisfied There was one opn-
ION. lie deserved it oil, and more. The only
wonder was, that he had hitherto lived so quietly,
rIch as he was, in virtue of his wfes inheritance,
anu from his own hard earned gains. His in
creas'Dg business still enlarged. Customers
brought guests, and, in their turn, the guests be-
came good customers 1t was splendid man
SION, win lis countless rooms and gorgeous APP
pointments. What pleasure grounds gardens
psrks-preserves Noble establishment, with its
butler under-5utler upper-servan aud my la
dys(so the working people called poor Margaret)
looman! In truth, palace; but, alas although
II took princes revenue to maintain it, and al
though the ady's purse was draining fast TO keep
II md the bank upon its legs, yet was there not 4
corner, nook, hole in the building, in which
master or mistress could find an hours comfort,
or nights unmingIed sleep. AS for the devoted
woman, il made very little difference to her wheth-
or she dwell in castle or hove, provided she
could see her husband cheerful and know that he
was happy. This was all she looked for cared
ior-lived for. He wns her life. What was her
noney--lhe dross which mankind yearned after
but Tor lis use TO him, but for the power it might
exercise amongst men to elevate and enoble him ?
| what was her palace but dungeon if il render
ed her more miserable than ever il it added daily
10 the troubles he had brought thereto The cares
which had accumulated oil his head from the We
ry hour she had become his mate?
Michael Allcrait! you never deserved this wo.
man ior your wife; you told her so many times,
ana perhaps you meant what was wrung from
your heart in its anguish. Ii was the truth. Why,
II not in rank cowardice and pitifuI ambition, en-
angle yourself in the perplexities Of such house,
hold, with all that heap of woe already on your
soul! Why, when your London agents refused,
IN consequence of your irreguarty and glect,
10 advance your further loans-why take Il base
advantage OF that heroic generosity that placed
lis all, uiiquestioning at your command? Why,
| han M and
regard, TO effect an insurance on your worthless
lie, did you TAIL TO pay up the policy even for q
second year, and so resign oil claim and right to
such assurance, making it null and void Let il
stand here recorded to your disgrace, that, in the
prosecution of your views, in the working out of
your insane ambition, no one single though, Of
her VINO gave her wealth as freely as ever fount
poured forth its liberal stream, deferred you in
your progress for an instant that no one glow or
gusli oil feeling towards the fond and faithful wife
interposed to save her from the consequences of
your selfishness, and to humble you with shame
tor lDhumanly as vile as it was undeserved. Ii
is not surprising that after the taking of the great
house, the demands upon the property of Marga-
ret were made without apology or explanation
lie asked, and he obtained. The refusal OF cid,
on the part of the London house, terrified him
when II came, and caused him to rush, with a
natural instinct, to the quarter whence he had no
fear of denial and complaint. file drew largely
the whiilpool there was speedy cry for more |;
and more was got and sacrificed. 1t would have
been miracle hal Alcraft, in the midst OF his
crushing cares, retained his eaIy vigour of mind
and body, and passed through ten years Of such
an existence without suffering the penalties usual
" lnh'cled upon The man prodigal OF the blessings
and good gifts of Providence. In his appearance
and IN his temperament, he had undergone a wo-
tu change. His hair-a that remained of it, for
the greater part had fallen away-was gray and
thin, weak and struggling, dropped upon his
wrnked forehead-wrinkled with frown that
chad taken root there. His face was sickly, and
never free from the traces of acute anxiety that
was eating at his heart. His body was emaciaed,
and AT times his hand shook like drunkard's. 1t
was even worse with the spiritual man. He had
become irritable, peevish, aud ill-natured he had
lost by degrees, every generous sentiment. As a
young man he had been remarkable for his liber.
atty in pecuniary matters. He had been wont TO
part freely with his money.
Inconsistent as it may SEEM Notwithstanding
his heavy losses through his partners and his fear
ful expenditure, he was greedy of gain al
though he were stinting himself of every farthing
and secretly boarding up his chests OF gold. liz
would hagge in a bargain for shilling, and O.
conomise in things beneath wise mans notice
or consideration. For few years. as it has beef
seen, Acraft had denied himself the custofnar,
recreations of man of business, aud had devo
ted himself entirely to his occupation. 1t was by n
means n favorable indication of his state OF mind
that he derived 10 satisfaction at the grand man
siou, either alone or in the society of his wife
He quilted the bank daily at late hour, and reach
ed his home just in time for dinner. That ovel
he could not sit or rest-he must be moving II
could not live in quiet. "Qlietness'-it was hl
own expression -" stunned him." He rushed Il
, The theatres, to balls, concerts, wherever Their
was noise, TALK excitement, crowds of people
a wherever there release from his own prick
/ ing conscience and miserable thoughts. AM
, then TO parties of course there was no lack 0
, them, for their society was in great request ant
every one was eager for an invitation in return Il
1 Eden-such being the strange msnomer of thei
, magnificent prison. house. And, oh, rare enter
Ialnmens were they which the suffering pair pro
! vides for The cold ,aried that 1ocked I
partake of their substance! How the poor crea
ture smiled upon her guests they arrived, willis
. her wounded heart bed on How she sang
| exqulsely for their amusement and nauseous ap
probation, until her sweet voice almost failed 4
4 crush the rising tears How gracefully she le
r off the merry dance whilst clogs were on he
i spirits, weighing upon every movement Extra'
a agant joyousness Dearly purchased pleasure
n Yes, dearly purchased, if only with that half hou
: of dreadful silence md remorse that intervene
between tho banquet and the chanber-not
> sweet slumber aud benevolent repose, but Of res
and hNe al.