Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-12-24
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Baltimore Saturday Visitor,
THE SWINDLER f.;
OR ILL GAINS NEVER THRIVE.
BY j. AUSTIN sPERRY.

A clear, bright February day, after heavy fall
of snow Any one who has visited the Great Elm
porium during sleighng time, may imagine the
brilliant scene which Broadway presents on such
day. Thousands of sleighs of every shape, size
and variety dashng hitler and thither, in such
thick confusion as to make it matter of ineXpli-
cable astonlshment how they find room to pass each
other without coming into collision Here and there
great omnibus sleigh, piled up with human freight,
glides along like an overloaded steamboat out of
its element white glittering establishments Of fai
ry-like lightness and beauty gancing by them
and around them like birds upon the wing. The
spray, thrown up from the heels of the foaniiDg
coursers, flashing and cleaning and sparkling in
the bright atmosphere, resembles a shower of burn
ing diamonds; while the "jingle, jingle,' of the
bells floats upon the breeze so merry and cheerily
that your heart leaps with Joy at the sound. You
might almost fancy that the white un-beams were
all golden bell wires and that old Winter, with his
white fingers, was pulling them for very fun. Then,
too, the happy faces that peep out from the warm,
rich furs--theg lmpses Of beauty and glances Of
bright eyes that beam on you as they fit by, radi-
ant sunshine and transient as the meteor-flash
Oh, what gee is there in old Gotham in sleightlme
Such was the day and the scene. In magnif-
cent little shell that glided along Broadway, were
seated lady and gentleman, almost buried in cost
ly furs. The lady's face was one Of rare lowell
ness and the gentleman as he listened to her an
the contemplation of her charms, that he neglected
the reins and left his steed to trot along through
the throng at its own discretion. While the lady
Chartered away in a lively strain, her glance was
wandering over the crowd that moved along the
sidewalk. Suddenly laying her hand upon the gen
tlernan's arm, she exclaimed
"Look, George what sweet face that poor
girl has~
The object of this remark was a Girl apparently
about seventeen, rather uncomfortab1y clad for the
season, with thin faded shawl over her shoulders
and her light ringlets straying playfully beneath
melancholy apology for bonnet. Her featOres
were pale and thoughtful, but full Of sweet expires
sion, and her large, intelligent blue eyes beamet
with touching sadness, The gentleman looked il
the direction indicated by his fair companion bu
his eye sooner rested upon the girl than shade
of dspleasure or pain crossed his brow, and giving
the reins nervous jerk, his mettesome steed boun
ded fieetly onward, bearing the sleigh quickly ou
of sight of the poor girl who had SO interested hi
companion.
"Why, Georgew exclaimed the lady, "what Dc
you mean? 1t was very disobliging in you to star
of at that rate, when you knew wanted to observe
that girl !"
The gentleman stammerod out an apology, laying
the blame upon the impotence of his horse. Tn,
excuse, however, was too lame to convince the la
dy. She wos piqued at having her humor thus un
reasonably thwarted, and pouted during the rest o
the ride When she at length alighted at the doc