The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-11-22
'IELD, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER %, 1s45.


who brought me to this place, and after wandering
about here, fer some time, gave up her wretched
child to the care of the benevolent vinton and de-
parted; whittier, no one knew. I remember her
well the hag,-and the manner in which she
dragged me about, from door TO door, and slept
with at night in some filthy shed; but that wo-
man was not my mother, Henry-not my mother
no,-my whole being revolts at the thought
could never have regarded parent, however de-
graded, with the repulsive horror with which
have ever looked upon her. know not how it is
that, young as then was, can so well remember
the scenes through which she led me, unless it
were that the dread with which her presence in
spired me, has left upon my mind an impression
too vivid to be effaced. have seen that woman
since that time, though no one knew that recog-
nized. Once or twice she has been here, and re-
ceived money of this general giver of aims She
was attired with somewhat more of decency than
when was IN her hands but, though she gave me
no word or look of recognition, her features were
so ndelibly impressed upon my mind, that no dis
guise could deceive me. ] saw too, the first time
she entered the store, that Yinton watched me
with some anxiety, as if to see if l knew her; but
suspicion had taught me to dissemble, and ap-
peared not to notice her. She received his gifts,
not with the gratitude Of common beggar, but as
that which was her right, and have noticed too,
that this il not unusual with those on whom his
charities are bestowed.
There are other memories which have ever
haunted me, and of totally different character
from these. Faint they are, it is true-so much so
that have sometimes striven to convince myself
that they were the mere dreams of fancy. and not
the records OF memory But yet they are the same
mot ftful and changing. like fsncy's vision.--
There is one fair, mild face that has always been
want to hover around me like guardian spirit in
my hours of lone liness and to look, with blessings
upon my dreams; ;and, know not where, or where
fore, but have always reg arded 1t as the image of
my mother.
There are unfinished sketches too, of bright
happy home. that fit before me, and some of them
recur again and again. One, in particular, of
which the gurging Of water always reminds me,
is small antique fountain, at the bottom OF gar
dan of singular construction but with features dis
tinct, land unchanging whether it appears in Dreams
or waking visions; ard, with it is ever associated
the face Of which I spoke. have seen nothing
similar to it, since my infancy, but am sure must
have been very familiar with it then.
As grew older I paid less attention to these
impressions, until one day, about year since, I
was sent home from the counting room, in some
haste, to bring some papers from private desk
They were scattered in confusion On the bottom of
the desk, and, as gathering them up without
one of the back pannels, and spring drawer flew
open. | was about to close it Immediately, when
my own name caughtmy eye, in the superscription
of letter paused in some surprise, but, on a
moments reflection, concluded that it might be ad-
dressed to some connexion of my patron, who bore
the same name. and was again closing the drawer,
when it struck me that there was still something
about the letters for there were several of them.
They were written in small female hand, and di-
rected to Paris, but none of them had any post
mark, and they were unsoiled, as if Just written,
and the seals were unbroken. There was one 9TH
er article in the drawer, and that appeared to be
small ocket, wrapped in paper. took it up
and openedit 1t was a miniature--the exact i'm
age of that face which has SO long haunted me. In
the back were the initials A. M V. closed the
drawer quickly, for knew that delay would ex-
pose me to suspicion, and fastened back. No OPP
pe rtunity has since occurred TO me OF obtaining
access to that desk, but from that time, my susp-
cions increased with regard to Vinton's integrity,
and am now convinced of his vainy. And 1t
seems to me that his incredible success in deception
has rendered him less guarded, in much that the
mask which he has worn so long, and SO well must
soon be cast aside He does not always take the
precaution, when he goes out, as he has done to-
night, TO remove his disguise, until he reaches
home. There is a private door on the same side
with my room and il was from seeing this mask
steal through the garden. and enter this door at
late honr of the night, that first learned that he
was accustomed thus to disguise himself He does |
not always wear the same form, and it was long
ere I could convince myself that the same person
was metamorphosed into these various shapes
"But when did you make the discovery" asked |
Henry.
g Not until few weeks, since his marriage was
you will not wonder, perhaps, when l
tell you that my pillow has woed me with less
power since then, and it Was only when seepIess
nights had driven me from my room, that first
saw this strange form, entering readily, by door
Of which Vinton bimself always kept the key.
know the circumstances in which your father
stands. and which hi m to be partiularly anx-
ous that the marriage should take place. His case
S not single one. There are others who have
been engaged with Richard Vinton, in business,
md found themselves ere long, completely ruined.
Yet, loudly as my patron has complained Of his
osses. am sure he has only grown more wealthy
With every pretended loss. The confidence which
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