American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-08
From the Columbian Magazine
THE DOUBLE RUSE.
BY MRS. CAROLINE H. BUTLER.
Chdpter |.


Chapter |.
''Love! psha! Walter, talk not such absurdi-
ty to me! What has love to do with the bust
ness! 1t is the fortune, my boy, we want, not
throbhing hearts-it is the chink of gold we
wish to hear, not languishing sighs! say,
Walter, mention not lore to me again" So
saying, Mr. Newman pushed back his chair,
struck the table with great violence, and fixed
his eyes sternly upon the countenance of bis
sou, who was standing before him with his
arms folded over his breast-the heel of his
boot grinding upon the polished marble and
the expression of his features denotng any
thing but pleasure in the subject of debate.
"FOrtHntm answered Walter, with shrug
Of contempt, sis she 50 potent that she can
blunt the sting of conscience at deceiving an
amiable, confiding girl into the belief that
sought her hand for love'--
t'Psha! love again"
"And not for the glttering trash it bestowed?
No, father, God forbid should ever thus per-
jure myself?"
''And pray sir, let me ask" reioined Mr.
Newman, ''If you have duly weighed the COLI
sequences of refusing to satisfy this engage"
ment! | have already told you that unless
you consent to my wishes we must henceforth
be as strangers. Ysu know, too, the girl loves
you-and yet your foolish scruples of con-
science, forsooth, must be obeyed! And thus
you ruin the happiness Of the girl--thrust
from you tortune-destroy your own pros
poets, and sever for ever the holy bond of IA
Their and son!'
However much it may grieve me to be for
ever banished from your affections" replied
Walter, 81 must again repeat my firm deter
mination never to marry Miss Lee. know
her to be amable and that he is endowed with
talents of superior order. She must ever
command my respect and esteem, but never
could feel any warmer sentiment"
"And who wants you to, foolish boy?'' in
terrupted Mr.. Newman-then bowing with
mock Difference he added: "But perhaps the
tastidious young gentleman has already broken
sixpence with some lack-a-daisical maid who
can sing my face is my fortune and intends
to practice the theory of love in cottage, and
sup upon signs and moonshine! If so, the idea
Of gold and bunch back must be exceedingly
unromantic"
There was so much of contempt and bitter
sarcasm in this speech, and the look with which
it was accompanied, that indignation flashed
from the eyes of Walter, and the blood mount
ed to his temples, as he replied
"Such remarks are wholly uncalled for, sir;
nor can hear the unfortunate Hester Lee spo-
ken Of in such terms even by a parent! True,
III outward form nature has delt with her UNI
kindly-but she has molly endowed her with
mind; and even were she pennloss she would
prove treasure to any man. As to my own
particular feelings or views, do not feel dis
posed to communicate"
For some moments Mr.. Newman made no
reply; at length rising from his chair, and ex-
aiming the doors to see they were closed, he
locked them, and resuming his seat, said in a
tone and manner entirely different:
"Sit down, my dear SOP, and listen to me-
Your reluctance, nay, your positive refusal to
this marriage with Miss Lee, compels me to a
most painful disclosure, and one which hoped
might have been avoided, but now see no al
tentative. Walter, | am ruinedi Yes, ruined
both in fortune and reputation unless have
immediate relief! Through the negligence,
perhaps dishonesty of my agents both at home
and abroad, my affairs are much embarrassed,
yet not irretriepably so. Mr.. Fleece assures me
that few thousand dollars or so, udiciously
managed, will set all right. Otherwise, the
reputed millionaire Of to-day, sinks into poverty
and disgrace, wrecking hundreds in his descent
running the hopes of widows and orphans,
whose little hoard was entrusted TO his care
Reflect upon this, my dear Walter, and cons-
der by how trlfiing sacrifice you can redeem
my pecunary losses.''
"My dear father, these are more unsuspected
and distressing tidngs," replied Walter. "Be
assured every thing can do consistent with
my honor shall be done, but you surely cannot
mean that the fortune of Miss Lee shall be sa-
cri6ced to this object"
'Not sacrificed, Walter-not sacrificed, boy,
only loaned for term"
"Work for you will, father, both day and
night; l will toll increasingly; all the energies
with which my Maker has endowed me shall
be used in your behalf; but to lend myself
party to such base imposition and treachery as
must be practised upon Miss Lee, cannot do
it, sir!"
''Say not SO, my son; be not hasty in your de-
cision. To you do | look to save me from
ruin; to save your father, Walter, from imme-
date disgrace! Take one week for reflection,
and in the mean time let us not again refer to
the subject" So saying, Mr.. Newman fer
vently pressed the hand of his son and left the
apartment.
Poor old man. Does he not deserve our COM
miseration to be forced to make his only son
villain that he may yet bask in the golden
beams of wealth! And poor Walter tool
There will be strife between filial love and his
own self-respect!
CHAPTER IL.
> "Good morning, Fleece"
''Good morning, Mr.. Newman"
GLOW are clients, Fleece"
every rare, sir"
n II I