Polynesian., 1845-05-10
THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICE
BY NATHANIEL
(Concludcd.)

had Just alighted from a handsome private car.
riage, which had orders to wait in the street
while its owner transacted his business. This
person came up to the desk with a quick. de-
termined step, and looked the Intellioencer
in the face with a resolute eve; thon1h. at
the same time, some secret trouble cleaned
from it in red and dusky light.
81 have an estate to dispose Of" said he
with a brevity that seemed characteristic
"Describe it," said the Intelligencer.
The applicant proceeded to give the bonn
daries of his property, its nature comprisihr
tillage, pasture, woodland, and pleasures.
grounds, in ample circuit; together with a
mansion-house, in the construction of which
it had been his object to realize a castle in
the air, hardening its shadowy walls into
granite, and rendering its visionary splendor
perceptible to the awakened eye. Judging
from his description, it was beautiful enough
to vanish like a dream, yet substantial enouSh
to endure for centuries. He spoke. tod. Of
the gorgeous furniture, the refnements of
upholstery and all the luxurious articles that
combined to rende this a residence where
life might flow onward in a stream of golden
days, undisturbed by the ruggedness which
fate loves to fling into it.
81 am a man Of strong will" said he in
conclusion; ''and at my first setting out in
life, as a poor, unfriended youth, | resolved
to make myself the possessor of such a man
sion and estate as this, together with the
abundant revenue necessary to uphold it. [
have succeeded to the extent of nv utmost
wish. And this is the estate which | have
now concluded to dispose Of"
"And your terms?" asked the Intelligencer,
after taking down the particulars with which
the stranger had supplied him.
"Easy-abundantly easy!" answered the
successful man, smiling, but with a stern and
almost frightful contraction Of the brow, as
tito quell an inward pang. 81 have been
engaged in various sorts of business-a dis
tiller, a trader to Africa, an East India mer-
chant, a Spectator in the stocks-and, in
the course of these affairs, have contracted
an incumbrance Of a certain nature. The
purchaser of tn G estate shall merely be re-
CURED to assume this burden to himself"
81 understand you" said the Man of In
te!llgence, putting his pen behind his ear.
II fear that no bargain can be negotiated on
these conditions. Very probably, the next
possessor may acquire the estate with a SINH
contracting, and will not tighten your burden
in the least"
"And am I to live on" ~iercely exclaimed
the stranger, with the dirt ofthese accursed
acres, and the granite Of this Internal man
sion, crushing down my soul? How, if
should turn the edifce into an almshouse or
ahospital or tear it down and build a church,"
"You can at least make the experiment."
said the intelligencer; "but the whole matter
Is one which you must settle for Yourself"
The man Of dcplorable success withdrew,
and got into his coach, which ratified off light
~ over the wooden pavements, though laden
with the weight ofmuch land, a stately house,
ponderous heaps Of gold, all compressed in
to an evil conscience.
There now appeared many applicants for
places; among the most noteworthy of whom
was a small, smoke-driedfgure, who gave
himselfout to be one ofthe bad spirits thathad
waited upon Doctor Faustus in his laborato-
~. he pretended to show a certificate Of
character, which, he averted, had been
given him by that famous necromancer, and
countersigned by several masters whom he
mad subsequently served.
"! an afraid, my good friend" observed
the lntelligencer, 'that your chance of get
ing a service is but poor. Nowadays,
men act the evil spirit for themselves and
ior their neighbors, and play the part more
e.ectually than ninety-nine out of a hundred
OF your fraternity"
But, just as the poor iend was assuming a
vaPorous consistency, being about to vanish
through the floor in sad disappointment and
'"agr'n' the editor Of a political newspaper