American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-08


haps advice; is any person within hearing?"
''Not soul in the office, sir, but ourselves.
every we'll. You are aware that | have
long had in contemplation the marriage of my
son with Miss Lee, the rich heress; but now
Just at the moment when expected to clncl
that great fortune as it were, the foolish boy
refuses to marry her-yes, refuses alleging nc
other reason than that he cannot love herr
LOpe-did you ever hear of such absurdityi''
'NeVer, upon my honor"
"What is more, have reason to believe that
tho girl loves him; but that cannot content his
romantic notions; oh, no; he harps upon mutual
affection! Well now, Fleece, am coming to
the object Of my visit. Finding him SO obstl-
nately set against this marriage, regardless
alike of my commands and threats, have had
recourse to little stratagem-a harmless ruse
to effect my object. Appealing, therefore, to
his tender feelings as a son, | have set forth a
false statement of my pecuniary AFFAIRS impress
ed him with the belief that am ruined in toto
unless have immediate relief, and that his
marriage with Miss Lee can alone redeem mo
from ruin and disgracc,''
ola! ha! very good"
81 think this will bring him to reason. Dur
ing our conversation watched his couatenance
narrowly, and his emotion escaped not my eye.
He was deeply moved Yes, yes-he will yield.
Depend upon it, he will yield. But little
more artice is still required, and it is TO fur
Their this, my good friend, that wish your as
sstance."
"Whatever may be your plans command me,
sir" replied the complacent Fleece.
"Thank you, knew it. Well you must
make it your business to see him at once, and
in strict confidence confirm what have already
told him. Hint of Miss Lee, her fortune, how
opropoS, sc. &c. You understand"
ooh, perfectly, pcrfectly-rely upon me;
have too much regard for your son to see him
thus recklcssly throw away a fortune"
"Thank you thank you Now, Fleece, in
consideration Of your dsinterested services, pro-
vided he marries the girl, one thousand dollars
shall be yours on the marriage day"
"Ah-h, depend upon me! he will marry her"
-chuckled the little lawyer, rubbing his
hands.
"And then how pleasant the surprise to find
after all 1t was only hoax"
lightful-very pleasant, hal ha!''
GOOD morning, Fleece"
Good morning Mr.. Newman"
And bowling and smiling, Fleece officiously
accompanied his visitor to the door-then bow
ing and smiling, Qhe thousand dollars prospec-
the very spot where Mr.. Newman had stood,
now stood the son Had his eyes rested upon
the ghost of some starved to-death client his
CONSERVATION could not have been greater,
while the peculiar sarcastic smile which rested
on the features of Walter, added not little to
his discontinue.
Now it happened this young gentleman had
passed long and sleepless nght-the strife be-
tween filial love and sef-respect was at work.
Surprise and sorrow for his fathers altered for
tune as so lately revealed to him-aversion for
the base measures proposed for their retrieve
ment-these were sufficient to Danish slumber
from his pillow; and no sooner did the dawn
appear than, detected and weary, Walter arose
and went forth into the solitary streets-solita-
ry when compared with the breathing mass of
noon-day.
Somewhat refreshed by the cold sharp air of
a winters morning, he continued for some
hours walking the Streets and fearing his pale
and haggard features might alarm his friends at
home should he return to partake of the morn
ing meal, he procured cup of coffee at an
eating house, and then proceeded to the office
of the lawyer Fleece. Knowing him to be deep
in the confidence of his father, and a friend as
he believed to both, he resolved to seek his ad-
vice. Together they might suggest somo plan
to mcliorate at least the state of affairs, aside
from that wealth-giving project, against which
every noble principle Of his nature revolted.
Arriving at the Office of the lawyer which
was in the second story of the building, he was
about to open the door when his fathers voice.
in earnest conversation with Fleece, met his
ear. unwilling to encounter him in his pre-
sent frame Of mind, he stepped aside into mar
row passage which opened into a small room,
the sanctun,-s anctorum of Fleece, to await the
termination of the interview. Fortunately OF
as the case may prove, the par
titIon was very slight and thus, without any
effort OF his own, the whole plot was revealed
to the ears of Walter. 1t is easy to conjecture
the mingled Indignation and sorrow which agi !
tated his bosom as he thus became aware ofthe
moral decreptude Of his parent-that being he |
had been so wont to reverence and love, and
the contempt he felt for the seryie, crouching
His father gone, Walter Immediately stepped
into the room.
Good raorning-good morning" Fleece at
length ventured to observe, and fidgettng
ABOUT ne placed chair for his unexpected Wis
tor "Sit down-sit down-very Glad to see
you"
"You may spare yourself all useless compli-
'Fo' my "ISopit, Ieplleu NallcT,
still standing, 'my errand is soon done. Know, |
sir, that every word of the conversation which
has just passed between my father and yourself
is known to me'
"Why bless my soul, is it possible?" inter-
rupted the amazed Fleece.
"And now hear me-, he continued, fixing his
eye sterny upon him, "dare not, on peril of
your life reveal to single individual the pur-
port of that conversation, or suffer my father
to know of this interview, and that consequent
ly have discovered the 'laughable hoar, as you
term it, which he would impose upon his only
son."
"Oh, no. strict confidence, my dear sir
se-olose-rely upon me-" faltered forth
Fleece, quaing under the eye of the excited
Walter.
uYou understand me then Good ,norn;np |