Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-02-23
MISCELLANY.
Iron Blackwood's Magazine for Jonuaryl
THE BANKING HOUSE.
A HISTORY IN THREE PARTS.

CHAP. Iu.-A CHAPTER ON LOANS.

CHAP. III.-A CHAPTER On LOANS'
Augustus Bramme hated his partners with all
his heart and SOUL He had never been very iona
of them but the result of this Interview gave an
activity and u form to feelings which it required
only sufficient occasion 10 bring into play. Not
withslanding the polite tone which MIR. Bellamy
had cunnipgy adopted in placing his mission be-
fore him, even he the ignorant and obtuse BRAIN
mel, could not fail 10 that he had been made
the tool, the cats paw in business from which
his partners shrank. Now, had the young man
been ms full of courage as he was OF vulgar con-
cet he might, | verify believe, have turned his
hatred, and his knowledge of affairs TO very good
account Lacking the spirit Of the smallest an-
NAL that crawls, he was content 10 eject his obi
Gus malice in oohs and execrations, and TO scb-
nit TO his beating after all. No sooner was the
meeting at an end than he left ihe Banking house,
aud turned his steps toward home. He had be-
come-as it was very natural lie shoud-a brute
OF husband, and the terror of his household
He remembered, all at once, that he had been ag-
greyed in the morning by Mrs. Brammel, that as
many as two of his shirt buttons had given way
whilst in the act of blessing, and unable TO con-
tain himself after the treatment OF MIR. Belamy,
he resolved forthwith TO have vengeance out up
on his wife. But he had not walked hundred
yards, before his rancour and fury increased 10
such height, that he was compelled to pull up
short in The street, ana 10 vow, with horrible
oath, that he would see ull his partners roasting
in the warmest place he could think OF, before
he'd move one inch 10 save their souls from rot
ting So, instead of proceeding homeward, he
turned back again, with view TO make this state
nent: but before be could reach the Banking
house. a wiser thought entered his head, and in
duced him 10 rerace his steps, He would CO. "
he said, to his father; and lay his complaint
there. He would impeach all his partners, ac-
knowledge his errors, and promise once more TO
reform. His father, easy old fool, would believe
him, forgive him, and do any thing else, in his
Joy" 1t was certainly bright idea-but, alas
his debts were SO very extensive. Belamy's
threatening look rose before him, and made them
appear even larger and more terrible than they
were What if his father insisted upon his going
TO London, and doing any other dirty work which
these fellows chose TO put upon him? Bellamy
he was sure, could make The old man do an!
thing. No, it wouldn't do. He stamped his too
to the ground in vexaton, and REQUIRED TO bis O
Ignal determination. 1t was all he could do
lie must go to London, and take what iudemnfi
cation he might in The domestic circle previousl.
10 starting And the miserable man did have hi
revenge, and did go TO London. lie was empow
cred 10 borrow twenty thousand pounds from tn
London house, aud he was furnished by Michae
Alcralt with particulars explanatory OF his com
mission And he walked into Lombard Stree
with lie feelings OF culprt walking up III
scaffold 10 his execution. His piliIul heart deser
ted him at the very instant when he most needle
its support. He passed and repassed the larg
door Of the establishment, which he saw opene
and shut hundred times in minute, by ind
viduals, whose collecedness and ndeper
dence, he would have given half his fortune
possess. He tried, time after time, TO summo
courage for his entry, as he afterwards expresse
II, ball rose in his ihroat-just as he got Que fo
upon the step-arge enough 10 chonk him. in
pudent and reckless as he had been all his life, /
was now more timld and nervous than any by
tercal girl. Oh what should he do FIRST,
thought of going to a neghborng hotel, aud wr
ting at once 10 Acralt swearing that he WI
i'll, that he couldn't move, and was utterly unab
10 perform his duties. II he went TO bed, and Sc
for q doctor, surely Acraft would believe hin
and in his pity would GONE up AMI do the bui
ness.
He dwelt upon this contrivance until it SEEM
TOO complicated for success. Would 1t not
more advisable TO write 10 the London house
self, and explain the object of his coming up ?
But il lie could write, why couldn't he call
They would certainly ask that question: and pr
haps refuse the loan. Oh what was he TO do
lie could hit upon no plan, and he couldn't mi
ter confidence to turn in. The porter of the fiji
mercllully interposei TO rescue Mr.. Bramme ire
his dilemma. That functonary had watched I
stranger shutting 10 and fro in great anxiety
doubt, and at length deemed it proper to enqu
whether The gentleman was looking for the do
way of the house OF Messrs. - & -, or n
Augustus, frightened, answered yes at rando
and in another instant found himself in what
called The Sweating Room of the awiuest hot
OF business he had ever seen in all his life"
was large square apartment, very naked-look
There were three or four solemn leather cover
chairs, and one broad leaher-coyered table, Tn
was an iron chest, and two shelves filled with
ant books; and there was nothing else IN
room but stiffness, and moudness OF SIN
that hung upon his spirits like pounds OF lie
dragging Them down and freezing them
Yet, cold as were his spirits, the perspirat
that oozed from the pores of his skin was prot
and steady during the qutrer of an hour tina
lapsed whilst he waited for the arrival of
worthy principal. During those memorable
Teen minuIes-lhe most unpleasant OF his lf
Augustus, for two seconds together, could n
ther sit, stand, nor walk with comfort. lie kn
nothing OF the affairs OF his house he was no
condition to answer the most trivial busiI
question he had heard that his firm was on