Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-02-16

nan, :" had great hopes oil his reformation. lie
had improved of late years little, and he gave the
his word that he would be steady. II had not
thought 80, | should certainly not have permitted
you 10 receive him. What can we do, sir ?"
All what, Mr.. Bramme'. Ii is that wish TO
know. The present state OF things cannot con
iuue Where is he now?"
"ludeed do not know. lie is bad hoy TO
hide himself from his father. | do not deserve it
of him. cannot guess"
"Are you aware, SIR, that he is married p
"'They have told me something of it, | am IN
truth, glad to hear it, II will I've TO his wife s in
terest to lead him back to duty"
"You hive not seen her, then ?"
The old man shook his head
"W,ll, WELL Sill" continued Allcrait. "ths is
noe to the pnrpnse. We must protect ourselves.
His pro1gacy must be checked ut all events, we
must have no connection with it, Hitherto we
have houored his drafts, and kept our name aud
his free from disgrace. can do no longer.
We have paid his last cheqne this very day
To morrow shall advertise Iubicly our deter
mination 10 honor his demands no more"
"NO-uo, hlr. Aircraft" ntcrpOsed old Bran
mel anSlously, taking every word for granted,
" that must not he donel cannot allow il /; for
the poor boys sake, that determination must not
he made at present. am sure he will reform at
last. should not he surprised il he returned To
business in day or two, and settled steadily TO
work for the remainder Of his lie. 1t is likely
enough now that he is married. | have much 10
answer for on account OF that youth, Mr. Alcrait,
and should never forgive myself If suffered
any thing TO he done that is likely TO render him
desperate, just when g'imnlering Of hope is
steuling upon W.. Yon shake your head, Sill but
| am confident he will yea make up for all his
folly"
" Heaven grant it, sir, for your sake!"
"Yes, and for his own, poor child for whit
will become of him it he does no, Now, as TO
these rhpuupa MIR AiIpruIi al lnv, hpi all
| will restore every Iurthng that you have paid
on his account; aud should any more be present.
ed, lei them he duly honured ] hold myself re
spolslIe tor their discharge am sure this is
the wises course to pursue. 1t is quite reasona.
ble for you to demur, and to object to these de-
manls. like you the better Mr.. Allrrait, for
your scruples; you are an honorable man, sir Il
would lose my last drop of hlool to make my poor
boy like you. 1t is wise and praise worthy in
you TO look so carefully to the good credit OF your
house; aud il is fair and right that siUuId take
This matter upon myself. do IT, persuaded of The
proprie;y OF the STEP and satisfied that all will 60
we'll with him yet. Be enicnt with he unhappy
boy, sir, and have yet IA little pullence."
" | am afraid, sir, thai he viii but presume OIL
your generosity and good nature"
Gan, but he is never to know it, Mr.. AIlcrait /;
| would not Tor the world have him hear OF what
| have done. Should you discover his abode,
write TO him, pray-ieli him that am euraged
at his proceedngS--ihat | do not think that can
ever be recOucied to him agun. Say ihai my am
ger has 10 bounds that my heart is breaking
will break aud kid me- if he persists IN his ngra-
iIude aad cruelty. lmpIore him 10 come home
and save me-"
The old man stopped AMI wept. Michael was
not yet father, and could NOT understand The
tears; il appears that he understood business
much better; Tor, taking leave OF Brainnel as
soon rs he could after the latter had expressed u
wish cusIl the cbpuupS he u u,le
the bank aud procured the documents. lie pre-
scuied them with his own hand To the aslOunded
father, from whom, Also with his own hand,
he received one good substantial draft in fair ex-
change.
So far, so good; but, in another quarter, ALI
craft suddenly discovered that he had committed
nn gorgeous bunder. He had entrusted Palmer
with the secret OF hi, critical sIuatIon-had mado
him acquainted with the dishonest tricks of his
father, and the consequent bankruptcy Of the
firm. Not that this disclosure hal been made in
any violent ehnlilIon OF unguarded eeling-irom
any regard 10 Panner--itom an Inability on the
part OF the divulger TO keep his own good counsel
Michael, when he raised Palmer from poverty to
comparative aliluence, was fully sensible OF the
value OF his man the dire Necessity OF hu. Ii
was indispensable that the tragic underplot OF The
play should never be known TO either Bellany or
Brammel, and The only safe way OF conceaIing il
from them, was To- communicate it unreservedly
10 their common partner, and his peculiar Crofege
lie did so will much soemnity, and with many
references to the extraordinary liberay he had
himself displayed in admitting him 10 his CONT
dence aud to share his wealth. Maintain my
secret" he said 10 Palmer, sand your fortune
shall be mude; betray me- and you thrown
again into garret. You cannot hurt me moth
ing shall save you" lie repeated these word;
over and over again, and he received tiorn his
confGant, assurance upon assurance OF sectec,
| Mi IN tI,.. riAI,
! Allcrafl's return from Frluce the gentleman hat
every reason 10 rely upon the pIobuy and goot
faith of his associate nor in TACT had he less rea
! son after his return. Were il not that "the THE
doth lear each bush and officer he had 10 caus,
Whatever to suspect or trolnbIe; his mind, for m,
actual danger a light have been AT rest. But wha
! did he behold? Why, Palmer and Beamy
whom he had left rs distant stage.coach ac
qIainlances as intimate and loving, AS united anC
insepnrabIe, us lheiawny twins OF Siam Not
week passed which did not hud the former, once
twice, or three times, guest nj The proud man
table. The visits paid 10 The bnnk were rather Il
| Mr.. Plunner lhan Tor amy other ohecI. Mr.. Plan
ner only could give advice as 10 the alteration q
the south wing CT the hHli Nj. Planners iasi
\ must decide upon the Internal embellishments
then there were private mud my scrious converse
lions IN The small back ruoni-lhe pari0ri nod
anI significant looks When they met and separa
tel and once, Michael called 10 see Palmer ate
The hours oi business, aud whom should lie dis
cover in his room but Mr. 'eany hiuself silt,n
in concIuve with the schemer, aud maniiestly IN
tent upon solne serious matter. What was III
meaning Of all this? Oh, il was too plain III
rebel Palmer had fallen from his allegiance, an
was making his terms with the enemy. AiIcra
cursed himself thousand times tor his folly i
placing himself at the mercy OF so Unstable char
+, ucter, aud Immediately bGcanie aware that ther
had never been any cogenl reason for such steI
/ tIa huv haar inf Al