The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-09-18

most regretted that he did not share with
me- portion of Heen's affection.
Things went on in this manner for three
weeks; once 10 that time saw Mr. Syves.
ter, who passed me BY as if he had never
known me. Cleveland sympalhized with
me-; and though had secured the love Of
Helen Sylvester, whom he had vainly en-
deavored TO win, he expressed the warmest
inleres, ir my behalf, and hoped that all
would be finally settled according to my
wishes. Oh could have read the heart
of this man; could but have seen thro'
the himsy veil Of friendship, and dscov-
cred The foulness of his bosom, my God !!
"ha. pangs would | have avoided, what
horrors would have never known |
had spent an evening with Cleveland and
retired TO my bed unusually oppressed.
There seemed to hang over me the darks
esl gloom, and had fearful forebodings
that some dresd calamity was about 10 be.
faI me. Oh God! Oh God how fervent,
Iy prayed that my difficulties might
know some rest, but it was otherwise Or
dered.
| was sitting at my desk about 10 o'clock
the next moroing, when junior clerk in
the establishment asked me if had heard
OF Mr. Cleveland's loss. [ Immediately
answered him no, and questioned him con.
cerning it, All that | learned was that
Cleveland had been robbed Of considers
able sum OF money, which was taken from
his desk; aud he had no clue 10 the rob.
Der. In he evening | met Cleveland
with several Of his acquaintances near the
store, and the conversation naturally run
upon the circumstances of his misfortune.
He was at great loss, he said, to account
for the theft. for, added he, besides your
sell, dear Nelson, no one had been 10 my
room from the time l deposited i: in my
desk, until 1 missed it. 1t seemed 10 me
for a moment that every eye was turned
upon me, and though / did not suspect for
the moment that Cleveland had made use
OF the expression to draw attention to ne,
yet sadly afterwards did | experience how
much had been his d1pe, and how wick
I'd and unpTiucipled were his intentions |
toward me. felt the blood mount to my |
cheeks as met the gaze of the young
men who had involun,ariIy turned toward
though scorned to aI'ude again
10 The circumstances, felt that suspicion
might. with some present, rest on me-
suspicion did rest Oh me and ere the next
day had passed l stood by the officer, as
lie diligently searched my trunk. aud in
utter despair. felt that was the victim of
a scoundre who sought to wrest from me
the dearest thing on earth He succeed
ed for in the finger Of a glove which was
found in my trunk, the money was obtain-
I'd; aud stood before the world a THIEF,
~ho had abused the confidence of friend
ini basely robbed an associate. | was
conscious bat for moment, for overcome
By my leeings, fell senseIess upon the
3oor. Whea recovered nv senses, |
yund my-et between two officers, who
we're ende1voring 10 impress upon my
mind the folly Of eigning to be unconciJus.
VAS buried before magistrate; and in
egs than an hour was locked up ia the
: GLOOMY walls Vi a prison. All seemed TO
o have frsaken me. My employers,
convinced Of my guilt, came not near me;
,nd with no eye resting upon me but
Gods, solemn 'swore TO revenge my>
self upon The man who had ruined me-
He who rules above can only know how
CIeveland's money came in ny trunk,
hough there is no doub! that he convey
ID II there himself, or found some chosen
'piri; who did it for him. At next term
II court. WIS tried and convicted
or what stronger proof was needed to
onvct frenGless youth. | heard the
udGe pronounce my sentence, and without
hrddIng tear, suffered myself to be
ed away TO prison. Three gloomy years
'assed a way, aud | lived upon the ;ho'l
VI one day being able to take revenge
tlr poor mother was taken from the world
'elore my difficulties began; Helen, in
whom was conferred all my affection, Hell
n, whom had loved so dearly Helen
my betro,hed, lived 10 hear Of
Ter Nelson, the man TO whom she had
,iedged her love, disgraced criminal,
confined within the walls of dungeon.
She loved me s:ilI.-Whh the failhfulness
nj fidelity @! woman, she loved me e.
zen then, as in happier days; but she
rooped and pinned away, and on the very
lay that was released from my coufne-
nent, her spirit was released from the
lay tenement that had too long been to it
place of confinement God forgive the
alh swore when the sad tidngs reached
ny ears, and pardon the heinous crime
ommined in keeping that oath. swore
ever to eat nor drink nay. swore never
0 close my eyes in quiet sIumber, un-
il the life OF Cleveland had been made
sacrifice to my vengeance; and but 100
veil did fuf my promise. was thin, t
and unlike my former SELF
Many were The persons met whose coun- I
1nances l recognized, but was passed by
'nkoown. la turning a corner, unex,
lectedly come 10 contact with the man for