The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-10-15

F., taken. 1t was in black and white, on a SUB
stance that he could both see and feel VIVA
shall | do ? what shall | do ?" he exclaimed
%involuntarily to himself. He could notrest-
he had not patience to wait till morning. Al
last he bethought him of his friend in whose
service he was, and he resolved to seek him al
once, late as it was. He could not put it of
till morning, so he dressed himself, placed the
check in his pocket, and prepared to leave
the house. The clock struck one as he closed
the door of the house, and he took his way
with rapid strides towards the residence Of
his friend Suddenly he stopped, and with
an anxious and nervous grasp, he put his
hand into his pocket to feel if the treasure
was still there. la it was gone not there
hot there! lie felt in all his pockcts-he
stood still and held his breath, fearing to
make another move lest his suspicious should
be verilied-lest his slightest doubt should be
confirmed 1t was impossible, he thought for
he certainly was careful in putting it in his
pocket. Try again-something this time
touched his fingers that surely felt like pa
per. A sensationo of tingling joy thrilled his
entire frame. Joy the prize was regaincd
he graspcd it firmly in his hand-he would
not trust it again to the hooking pocket-hc
would feel its certainty-he would not again
run the risk Of losing what had the power to
make him comfortable for life, in connection
with his own abilities. Again he started, al
most on u run, and when he reached the door
Of his friends residence, he was almost out Of
breath. He paused a moment before he rang
the bell, and when he did so, it was with such
feelings as had hitherto been a stranger to
his breast. He waited sometime without any
answer to his summons, and then he rang a.
gain. This time a window was opened above
his head, and a voice, which he recognized as
his friends, demanded TO know the object Of
so unreasonable q visit. Holmes gave his
name, and requested to be seen on urgent bu-
siness.
In a few moments the two friends were
seated together in the parlor, and Holmes
was relating the incident of his receiving the
check.
Show me the check" said his friend.
Holmes did as he was requested. His
friend examined the check, and pronounced
it, according to the best of his knowledge,
genuine.
"The house is good" said he, and their
deposits are made at the Bank of America
Have you any sus, icion who is the author of
this business Z"
"Not in the least" said Holmes. ain fact,
the circumstance took me so much by sur
prise that l have scarcely given the subject a
thought"
cit seems to be regularly drawn. What
do you intend to do?"
"That is a subject upon which l wanted
your advice. You will excuse my unscason-
able visit"
"Certainly nothing I could have heard
would have given me more pleasure. l will
see you in the morning; you had better leave
the check with me, and if it is genuine, | will
draw the money for you at the earliest bank
hour. BY the way, you may as well pass the
remainder of the night in my house, and we
will talk further on the subject in the NOR
ming.
The friends parted, each to his rest, though
We may suppose that sleep was slow to visit
the eyes Of Holmes.
The next day proved the genuineness of
the check, but afforded no clue to the source
whence it emanatcd. AT the advice of his
Holmes retained two hundred dollars
from the net amount for the purpose of set
a few small debts of honor, and the bal
ancc was invested in good securities.
Until this day he has never been able to
detect the author Of his good fortune, though
persons shrewdly suspect that a certain
lady might give information that would lead
the detection of the diSinterestcd friend
At this period, however, fortune has made an.
other turn in his favor. He has been sever
ii times seen in the company Of one to whom
he formerly paid particular attention and Cos
sip says that he will yet have an interest in
the seventy thousand dollars. On the whole,
we do not know but what his adversitics have
been a benefit to him, but at the same time,
we would caution every one against falling
INTO similar errors, as where one brand es-
,apes the burning, a thousand are reduced to
P S. Alfred Holmes has ~rc-acquired his
good standing, is surrounded by a
happy little domestic circle, and is one ofour
respectable citizens.
LIME AND RATS. A gentleman of this