Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-11-20
DOMBEY AND son.
Continued from first page.

with an air of perfect confidence in his better
half It's all right"
q" As you appear to leave every thing to her"
said MIR. Dombey, frustrated in his intention OF
inpressng his views still more distinctly on the
husband AS the stronger character, suppose
tits of no use my saving any thngto you.
Not Bit said Toodlc. Polly heard it.
She's awake, sir
| won't detain You any longer, then. re-
turned Mr. Dombev. disappointed. Where
have you worked all your life ,"
Mostly underground sir, till got married.
come to the level then I'm a going on one OF
these here railroad when they comes into full
play"
A. the last straw breaks the laden camels
back, this piece of underground information
crushed the sinking spirits of Mr.. Dombey. He
moioned his chds toster-ather to the door.
who departed by no means unwillingly: and
then turning the kew, paced up and down the
room in solitarywretchedness Fora his starch
ed. impcnetrable dignity and composure, he
wiped binding tears from his eyes as he did so
and often said. with emotion of which he
would not. for the world, have had witness.
Poor little fellow -
1t nav have been characteristic of Mr.. Dom
boys pride, that he ptied himself through the
child. Not poor me. Not poor widower, con-
fding by constrant in the wife of an ignorant
Hind who has been working mostly under
ground all his life, and vet at whose door death
has never knocked, and a. whose poor table four
sons daily sit-but poor little fellow!
Those words being on his lips, it occurred to
him--and it is an instance of the strong attrac-
ton with which his hopes and fear and all his
thoughts were tending to one centcr-that a
great temptation was being placed in this wo-
mans way Her infant was boy two. Now.
would it be possible for her to change them d!
Though he was satisfied that he had
dismissed the idea as roinant c and unlikely
though possible there was no deny ing--he could
not help pursuing it 50 far as to entertain within
himself II picture of what hi condition would
be, if he should discover such an inposture
when he was grown old. Whether a man 50
situated would be able to pluck away the result
of so many years of usage, confidence and be-
lief from the impostOr. AMI endow stranger
with it
As his unusual emotion snbsidcd. these mis-
gIvngs gradually melted away. though much
Of their shadow remained behind, that he was
constant in his resolution to look closely after
Richards himself, without appearing to do so.
Being now in an easier frame of mind, he re-
garded the womans station as rather an advan-
ttgeous circumstance than otherwise, by plac-
ing in itself, a broad distance between her and
the child, and rendering their separation easy
and natural
Meanwhile terms were ratified and agreed
upon between Mrs. Chick and Richards. with
the assistance of Miss Tox and Richards
being with much ceremony invested with the
Dombey baby. as il it were an Order, resigned
her own, with many tears and kisses, to Jemi-
ma. Glasses of wine were then produced, to
sustain the dropping spirits of the family
"lOu ii take glass yourself, Sir wont you?
Aad Miss Tox as 1'oodle appeared.
"Thankee, Num-" said Toodle, since YOU
are supprcssng."
"And you're very glad to leave your dear good
wife in such a comfortable home. aint YOU. Sir!
said Miss Tox nodding and wnking at lin steal
thily.
mo, Num- said Toodle. Here's wishing
OF her back in
Polly cried more than ever at this. SO Mrs.
Chick, who had her matronly apprchensons that
this indulgence in grief might be prejudcial to
the little Dombey, ("acid indeed" she whispered
Miss Tox) FASTENED to the rescue.
"four little child will thrive charmingly with
your sister Jemima Richards" said Mrs. Chick;
land you have only to make an eilort-ths is
world of effort, you know, Richards-to be very
happy indeed. You have been already meas
ured for your mourning, haven't you, Richards
"Ie-yes, ma am" sobbed Polly.
And it'll fit beautifully, | know" said Mrs.
Chick, for the same young person has made me
many dresses The very best materials. too /"
your husband won't know you: will you, Sir ?"
IL should know her. said Toode, gruiily.
"anyhows and anywiercs"
Toodle was evidently not to be bought over.
As to living, Richards, you know pursued
Mrs. Chick, why, the very best of every thing
will be at your disposal. You will order your
little dinner every day: and any thing you take
Il fancy to, I'm sure will be as readily provided
Hs If YOU were a lady,"
L.. NJ
the ball with great sympathy. "And a. to per
ter quite unlimited, will it not Louisa ,"
OH certainly. - returned Mrs. Chick in the
came tone. "With little abstinence, you know
my dear. in point o; vcg,t Tribes
" And pickles, perhaps suggested Miss Tox
with such exceptions, said Louisa, she'll
consult her choice entirely, and be under no re-
straint at all. my love-
And then, of course, you know" said Miss
ToX, "howcver fond she is of her own dear little
chld-and I'm sure. Louisa, you don't blame her
for being fond of it y
"Oh no." cried Mrs, Chick, bcnignantlv.
"StiIl," resumed Miss Tox, she naturally
must be interested in her young charge, and
must consider it privilege to see IA little chcrub
closely connected with the superior classes, grad
ually unfolding itself from day to day at one
common fountain. Is it not so, Louisa ?"
Most undoubtedly! said Mrs Chick "You
ert' my i'Nt- Siit VHtc tbUltHlPu dllu
comfortable and means to say goodbye to her
sister Jemina and her lttlc pets, and her good
honest husband, with a light heart and a smile.
don't She my dear ?"
''Oh yes :" cried Miss Tox. "To be sure she
does -
Notwithstanding which, however, poor Polly
embraced them all round in great distress. and
finally ran away 10 avoid any more particular
lcavc-taking between herself and the children.
But the stratagcm hardly succeeded as well as
it deserved; for the smallest boy but one devn-
ing her intent, Immediately began swarminr IN
stairs after hcr--f that word of doubtful ety.
mology be admissble-on his arms and lccs :
while the eldest (known in the family by the
name of Biler, in remembrance of the steam en-
gine), beat demonacal taito with his boots. cy
pressivc of grief; in which he was Joined by the
rest ofthe family.
A quantity of oranges and half-pence, thrust
unfortunately on each young Toodle, check
cd he first violence ofthcir regret, and the fam
lily were speedily transported To their own home
BY means of the hackney-coach kept in waiting
for that purpose The children, under the guar
dianshp of Jemima blocked up the window, and
dropped out oranges and half-pence all the way
along. Mr.. Toodle himself preferred to ride be.
hind among the spikes, as being the mode of con.
veyance to which he was best accustomed.
To be continued.