Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-02-16
MISCELLANY.
tFrom Bluckwood's Magazine for January.l
THE BANKING HOUSE.
A HISTORY IN THREE PARTS.

THE BANKING HOUSE.
A HISTORY IN THREE PARTS.
PART III.
CHAP I-sYMProMs OF RoTTENNEss.
Michael Acraft returned to his duties tuned
for labor, full OF courage, aud the spirit of enter
prise aud ACTON. Discharged from the ihrall
which had hitherto borne hard upon his energies,
and kept hem down, he felt the blessed influence
of perfect liberty and the youthful elasticity OF
mind and body that liberty aud conscious strength
engeuder. Devoted 10 the task tint he Ind in
flicted upon hlnseli, he grudged every hour that
kept him from the field OF operations. Firm IN
his determinations to realize by his eXsrtIons,
sum oil money equal to his parents debts, and TO
redeem the estate from its insolvency, he was I'M
easy and impatient until lie could resume his
yoke md press resolutely forward. Rich aud in.
dependent as he was, in virtue OF the fortune Of
his wife, no still spurned at the idea of relying
upon her for his reie0se--fur the means of resru-
ing his fathers name aud house from namy.-
No; he saw-he fancled that he saw u brighter
way marked out before him. Industry, perse,er-
ance and extreme attention would steer his bark
steadily through The difficult ocean, aud bring her
safely into harbor; these he could command, for
they dept uled upon himself whom he might
trust. lie mad looked diligently into the transac-
tious Of the house for many years past, aud the
investigation was most satisfactory. lear alter
year the business had increased-the profits had
have been considerable when he entered upon his
ruinous specualions. What the fair INFER
ence TO draw from this result? Nhy-that with
the additional capital Of his partners The influx
aud extension of good business, and the applca-
ton of his own tesolute mlnd u sum would he
raised within very few years, suticien. TO rein
state the firm, to render il once more stable and
secure. Aud lhen-this desirable object once
effected, and the secret OF the unfortunate house
never vugCd-ihe income which would alter
wards follow for his partners and himself, must
he immense 1t was this view Of the subject that
justified, to his mind, the means which he had used
that sileuced self reprOlf when it accused him
of arlitice, and called him TO account Tor the de-
ceptou he had practlsed upon his colleagues--lt|
must be acknow ged that the plan which he
proposed held out fair promise OF ultimate success
and that, reckoning upon the united will and AS
sslance OF his pa.ners, he had good reason 10
look Tor eventual releuse from all his difficulties
and cnres Yet it was not to be. I" We stHi haze
judgment here" Punishment still comes to us
from those we would circumvent. Ii was in vain
that Michael set foot in the Bank with an iadom-
liable and eager spirit in vain that he longed TO
grapple with his tate--resolute to overcome it,
The world was against him. The battle was al
ready decided. His first hard struggle for deliv-
ernnce was concidenl with his last hour Of earth.
y peace.
involved in net Of perplexity, from which it re.
qulred all the acutcness OF his experimenting mind
to work out mode of extrication. Augustus
Brammel continued abroad, spending his money,
aud drawing upon the house, with the impudent
reckcssuess which we have already seen 10 be n
prime ingredient in his character. He did not
condescenh TO communicate with his partners, or
to give them any information touching his where
abouts, except such as might be gathered from
his cheques, which came, week after week, with
alarming puncnali,y, tor sums us startling. From
this one source of misery where was promise
or chance OF final rescue? Michael saw ne.
What if he refused to cash his partners drafts p
What il he permitted them TO find their way
back, MS best they might, through tho various
channels by which they had travelled on Their
previous journey-dlshonored and disgraced p
Who but himself would be the loser by the game?
Such refusal would lead TO quick enquiry-en-
curry TO Observation-Disclosures 10 want OF con
fdence aud speedy ruin. What reliance could be
reposed upon house divided against iisef-uoi
cate from The extravaganza and plIlnge of its own
members! The public eye, ever wntchfuI and
tlInid, waNs scarcely for the show OF danger "a
take alarm and Withdraw its favor. Michael
shIunk from the bare conception of all act OF VIC
lence. Ii was more agreeable III an hour of sell
coliectedness, 10 devise remedy, which, il il die
not cure the disease helped al least 10 cicalrz'
The immediate wounds. He looked from Braun
mel TO Brammefs lalher for ndemnlicaliOn-
And the Old man was IN truth rare temptation
Fond, pltinbe father, Of "A fulse and bIoodas
child! doing, when others would have hated
loving his prodlga with mole anxious londnes
as his insraIltude grew baser-as the claims upoI
parents heart dwindled more and more away
The grey 'halred inan was girl in tenderness anl
senslbilliy. lie remembered the mother of III,
maynard child, aud the pains she had taken L
InIsuse and spoil her only boy his own conduc
returned 10 him in the shape of heavy reproaches
and he could not forget or call 10 mind wllhou
remorse, the smiles OF encouragement he ha,
gwen the hauering appreciation lie had beslowe,
when true love, Jusllce, duty, mercy, all cale,
loudly for rebuke, restraint, wholesome correc
lion, solemn chaslisetnent. Could he be conscious
o! all this, and moi excuse The unsteady youth
accuse himself? 1t was he who deserved pun
ishmenl-not the ufierer with his caamites i'm
posed upon him by his erriug sire. He was read
to receive his punishment. Oh, would that at an
cost-aI any expense OF bodily aud mental suffer
ing, he GOULD secure his Child from further sorrow
anu from deeper degradation! 70 such II hear
and mind, Michael might we'll carry his com
plains WIN some expectation OF sympathy ant
reinbursemenl. Aggrieyed as he was, he did no
iall 10 pGnl his disappointment aud sense of inlu
ny In the strongest colors; bur blacker than all
and no was capable OF such a task he pictured
the gross deception OF which he had so cruelty
been made the subject.
I" could" he said to The poor father, in whose
aged eyes, turned 10 the earth, tears Of shame