The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-06
THE KEY,
Or the Pack of Cards.
NY PROF J, II. INGRAHAM.
THE CLERK.

gentleman was pacing TO aud fro with an agi-
tated step aud troubled countenancc. He
was not more than one and twenty. His iea-
lures were intelligent and handsome, and his
air gcntcel and prepossessing. His lip was
compressed with emotion, aud his eyes were
sparkling with the moisture oftoars. Alarm
and anguish both combined, seemed to COM
pose the expression upon his features. Sud
denly he stopped in his troubled walk across
u q apartment, and said in n tone like the
resolution of despair
Il will not remain to meet it! He must
soon discover all, and my only sntety is in
flight! fear not prison so much as | fear
his reprovng words-his reproachlul looks.
How can i stand before him and meet his
eyes" No-neveE ] will fly. Somthing
within me-a noblcr feeling than fear
prompts me to go at once to him and confess
all. But have not the courage for all this.
Alas! my poor father and mother. Would to
God lad never seen card. a ring ut the
door, he cried, starting and turning PALE
1T may he he. lie will soon know all my
guilt for TO conceal it is impossible. step
upon the stairs! They come for me. Death
is upon my thoughts. | would rather
meet it ut the hcXt moment than meet the
fearful crisis that is at hand.
4 knock was heard on the outside of his
door. With great effort he commanded his
feelings and called without unlocking il,
'WcIl:' ..
Mister Hawlcy's man is at the door. and
SCI Mister lipwley's COON hoom aud wishes
yc 10 COON up To- his house wild dc KEY
Go down and tell the servant ! will soon
he thcre,' he replied with composure. lie lis
tened till her steps had returned, &Jthen press
ing his forehead leaned his head upon the
n1nutpl t,iacp nnI rau,nipnhn fnNy t,n,nnuta
in silence. His chest heaved with strong C.
motion. His whole person shook.
'The key. Yes, fatal, fatal kew he cried,
taking from his trunk small desk key, and
gazing sadly upon il rs he held il up, this
key is to be- in truth the instrument of my
disgrace. cannot fly. This will not help
the matter. will take it to him and there
will clear myselfby thlsehood or cast myself
upon his mercy. III hnd never seen II card
should not now he on the brink of ruin, my
fair name gone, and iniamy cast like "A cloud
over the hopes of my parents. But my faith
err cannot altogether eXuneratc himself
This reflection, however, does not lessen my
present guilt. Twill meet Mr. Ilawley,' he
said with sudden resolution.
As he spoke he threw on his cloak, aud
replacing the small key in his pocket, nc left
his room and descended the stair case to the
street door.
THE MERCHANT.
The merchant was seated in his parlor, sur
rounded by his happy family. who were more
than usually elnted with joy; for MIR HnwIey
had that evening returned, after nearly u
months absence TO Savannah.
MIR Proctor says he will come right up,
sir said servant opening tho parlor door
'Ah. then very WE'LL answered Mr. Haw-
ley with smile Disqualification. q trust, then,
all is right he added in an under tone.
pa, what is that pretty present you Just
said you brought for me" asked lovely child
of eleven, as she leaned against him with one
arm resting upon his shoulder, and her sweet
face looking up into his
1T was pack of geographical cards, Ellen
'Oh, these will he delightful
Ishould have liked them better if they
had been pack like George Paynes,' said
young Master Henry Ilawley, a lad of four
teen. g.,
And what kind has George Payne?' asked
his father smilingly.
'They are complete playing cards, father,
with Jack and King and Queen and all, only
they are little tnty bits of things, no bigger
than the visiting cards ladies leave here when
mother isn't at home. They are so pretty
too! and George says his mother has taught
nun DiOtiiCl SlSlCi nv" W pay
whist, and his father taught him how TO play
Oh, wish had pack
Iam very much grieved TO hear you talk
so,' said Mr. IIawley gravely, MIR and Mrs.
Payne, who believe play whist themselves,
should be more thoughtful of the future hap
piuess and habits of their children that to in
itiate them thus into the most dangerous a
musement that can possibly be devised either
for the old or young hope you have not
been taught to play with these miniature
cards, George
NO sir, have only seen them
Il TRUST that it is all You will ever know of
them or ofany cards. The Inventor of such
playing cards can be looked upon only IN the
light of those eastern sorcerers who give non
ious drinks to the children ofthose they hate,
to destroy their growth, distort their limbs,
and make ofthem when they arrive at inatu-
rity, monsters ia form and vissagc. These
infant card inventors, as they poison the mind
are much worse in proportion as the mind is
more worth than the body. There is tilc
bell. 1t must be Frederick
Show him to my private ROOM said the
taking up Il trunk and passing out
ofthe drawing room by door mt the farther
extremity, and entering a small but tasteful
ly furnished library. At the same moment,
by door leading from the hall, the servant
ushered in the young man. ... .
well, Frederick, | am glad to sec
you,' said Mr. Hawley, extending his hand
with an air of cordially.
Il trust you have been quite well, sir an
swered the young man, without looking in
his face, but assuming an air of pleasure at
seeing him return. Il have been very well
thank you, Frederick am somewhat ia
tigued, however, after so long journey. EV-
crything has gone we'll, believer
yes, sir, answered the young man, in a
slightly ALTERING manner. Mr. Hawey MOTTO
ed it and looked at him with quick cnqair
ing glance.