Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-07-02
SELECT TALE.
MARY WIN IT f. Il r I r: l. ID
BY WILLIAM III. CARFENTER.
CHAPTER /.

tho centre of tho ROOM by tho hight OF tho lamp
pacod upon tho mantopicce. we discover two IN
dividuas in earnest convc rSaton; ono OF tho
spoakcrs. from being clad in wrapper and his
feet casod in slippers, should Judge TO DO tho
master of tho house and invalid; no Is old
man with at,cnuated frame, aud pale features,
apparently just recovering from very scvcrc at
tack Of SICK ness, bat soonIs tn have been compol
cd, despite of his weakness, to ontcr INTO n dis
cussion by means calculated to facilitate con-
valesccnce.
His companion IS gaunt. cadavorous looking
man, whose years might perhaps numbered thir-
", though wild and rotous excess in lis younger
days had promaturely mingled groy hairs amid
his black locks, and givon him tho appearance. TO
casual observer, Of being considerably older.
His garments wore black. Ills features wore an
expression Of low cunning, which was fully borno
Oat by the low, heavy brow, tho sinister cxprc
ion of his dark cy and the arcastic lccr that
aud anon fitted about tho cornor of his mouth
lilo is a lawyer and his is AddcrIy.
BY tho window; bending a small mahoga-
ny work table, sat II fair and youthful! girl. One
who morcly glanced toward her, would havo sup
posed her b,,sy plying her noodle, unconscious
OF the conversation carried on bctwccn her fathor
and his saturniuo visitor; but moro in,cnt gazc
would havo Immediately convinced him Of his or
Tor-tho sudden flashing Of her pale check, tho
heavy InhalntiOns of hor breath, and tho fearful
moss of hor M IL blue cycs, thoy timidIy wan
dorod toward tho speakers, all told how ongery
she caught ut every word. and how deeply inter
cstcd sho fot in tho result of their coIloquy.
Standing by tho door twirng chair upon
ono leg, and seemingly most intent on his occupa-
ton, plain rough atlirod young nun, taking
10 part IN tho DISCUSSIONS, except answering with
n brief negative affirmative, when appealed to
by tho young lawyer.
Tho sum-. SAID tho old man, continuing tho
convcrsa.i N, begun previous to thor introduction
to the rcadcr-'tho sum is twenty-five hundred
dollars
.rwcn,y-fivo hundred and thirty.sx doln rs
m scvcuty-cight cents. with the interest added,
responded tho lawyer. 'Of course wo add the
interest
An expression Of pain passed. over tho features
Of tho old man, as he pat,cd his fingers upon tho
table and said bitterly
ooh! Of course with the Interest," il would havo
been improper To havo omitted that. especially
when it regards debt duo by Old man worn
out by disease, and broken hca rted from his con-
tact with scoundrol who ruined him. while he
concealed tho poison no distiIling boncath
honcvcd expressions of inacnablo friendship.
Ofcourso you should add tho interest; what signi-
fos few pounds weight moro or loss, when tho
burden IS already too heavy To be bornc'
with tho misconduct of your friend have no
cOnccrn,' sad the lawyer very coldly.
4 know it. know it. abruptly replied tho old
man. If Adam Wintcrfcld looked for sympa-
thy no would Iavo sought i, from any other than
John AdJerly.'
You wrong me, Mr.. Wintcrcld, you wrong
me; wish to sorve YOU.
Provo Your sincerity by wthd rawing this
claim until am blessed with health and strength
10 meet it.
u am in great nccd of money.
You! is then tho debit yours! | thought tina t
Barton had placed it in your hands for collection.
You acknowledge then tho claim of Barton to
DO duo by you! inquired Allcrly ovaslvoly.
Surely, surely said WintoriicIG, half titicon-
sciously.
You heard tho acknow cdgomcnt, Mr.. jack
son. said Adderly, turning suddenly round and
addressing tho young man at tho door, who nod
died. and muttcrcd To himself in low tone, Tho
old fool! he has boon trapped into 4 confession.
now IL hc had only hold his tongue, donied it
altogether. Addcrly could no. laid tho weight of
his little finger upon him.
Did YOU say the claim yours! inquired
Wintcrtield, in a tone some what moro trcmulous
than that in which he had previously spoken.
Il did, said tho lawyer. bunty.
Yours John AdJcrlv!
mime. Mr.. Wnterticld.'
''rhcn,' said Winscrticd with apparent conf
dencc, yet looking doub,fulty in tho lawyers face
rs no spokc,-'Thcn IL am sure you will no,
enforce its pa ymen,; at least. not at the prescn
time; wait but littlo whilo, and doubtless | shall
be able 20 rake up the amount
Money is worry scarce, SIR replied Adderly
and regret that'-
Say no moro. say no moro, John Adderly.'
quickly interrupted the old man. Fool that
was. to think tha: leopard could change his
spots; and We! the memory of old times might
have induced you to DO moro lenicnt with man
who once bcfriondcd you. A circumstance onco
came under my notice. which. if divulgod to tho
world, would not be very crcditablo to your fair
fame. and yet kept your sccrct.'
The lawyers brow grow black as midnight.
well, WE'LL continued Winterfield. I'VE will
al lch host
gotten-but also loaned you money, did no,l
Adderly bit his lip. but for a while remained
silent.
4 never asked you for it; you still remain my
debtor for the sum then advanced
You cannot claim them now cried Adderly