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

less honor than he, would, by the use of de
~ception, have mended their ruined fortunes
by a marriage, if possible, with a lady who
possessed in her own right a fortune of sew
enty thousand. The crime would have beer
damning, apart from the deception. Bette
a have taken the money by midnight robbery
4 and left her penniless, than have cast bligh,
r and ruin upon her fond heart and trusting at
lection. A dagger would not have been 81
, cruel to her heart as mistrust.
The lady received Holmes letter, Mad it
wept much, attempted an answer, and finally
, gave it up in despair. She could but appre,
ciatc his candor, while size d~eplored his fall
1t cost her a great effort to suppress her feel
ings, but pride and selfrespect triumphed.-
She did not wish her friends to see how deep
ly grief was seated in her heart, though all
the while the canker worIA was there. II
money would have redeemed Holmes, she
would have dispensed l. it as freely as WATER
But she dare not trust, and in her doubt she
suffered.
In the meantime Holmes went on from bad
to worse. Conscious that he had forfeited all
the respect and confidence Of his friends, he
forsook their presence altogether, and sought
for companions among the vulgar and unprin-
cipled. 1t may seem strange how a man can
fall so suddenly from a position that was sup
ported by his own self-respect,and the friend
ship of honorable men but we could point
out Observation-Disclosures Of self-sacrifices where
persons Of superior intelligence, gentlemanly
qualities, and possessing the most refined and
delicate taste, have fallen to the lowest depths
of degradation-not from an accountable
cause-not from want of sufficient perception
to see the dread abyss into whose bosom they
were about to leap-not driven by disap-
pointment or despair, but rushing boldly for
ward, with a clear sense of the end, to immo-
late themselves at the altar of their idol, not
possessing even the same deluding motive that
induces the idolatrous Hindoo 10 PROSTATE
himself before the sacrificing car of Jaugger-
naut
1t would be a needless task to follow the
drunkard through all the scenes of vice and
misery the detail, if interesting, could only
create a feeling of disgust, nor is it proper to
exhibit in a mirror the utter depravity to
which men will sometimes sink.
Holmes pursued his suicidal course with an
increasing downward tendency. Six months
found him friendless, penniless, and shabbily
clothed: one year found him the tenant of a
brothel-the ~hanger-on around the door of a
low GROCERY. If he had moments of sanity,
IlCl drought WIFI llclll SUCH all dlJCllull9
army of upbraiding thoughts, that they scourg-
ed him into deeper draughts to drown his
memory and sense of better days. No con-
s%titution, however rugged, could stand such
repeated attacks upon its strength. Disease
began to make its inroads-frightful dreams
awoke him bowling from his slumbers, and e.
and the poor house hospital was his last refuge.
Haro ha 1pnoro1 hotwixt Er, and ,1ootb e.,
many days; but fair medical attendance, and
a naturally vigorous constitution, saved him
from the grave that seemed to yawn for him.
His recovery was very slow, and gave him
ample time for reflection. Reason and good
sense appealed to him. Pride pointed ieer-
ingly to his situation and as he reflected upon
the perils that had so recently surrounded
him, he determined once more to assume the
dignity of a man. He made a pledge to alb
stain in future from all Intoxicating drinks,
and left the lazarhouse to seek honorable en-
%ployment. This was a difficult task, but per-
severance at last put him in the way of a
friend who gave him a situation in a counting
room, with a small salary, but still sufficient
to supply the moderate and necessary wants
Of his existence. His old associates were not
recognized, and humbled by his position, he
summed the society that once delighted to
honor him. He took lodgings in a German
boarding house situated on the west side of
the city. 1t was anything but pleasant for
him, but he choose it to be out of the way ofpry-
ing curiosity. He had no object but to fulfil
his duty, and at this he toiled patiently and
uncomplainingly from morn till eve, and aE
ter dark, until bedtime, he sought exercise
in walking. Things went on in this way for
several months. Most of his former friends |
knew nothing of his situation or whereabouts,
and he had almost ceased to be spoken of in
the circles that he had once visited.
Passing home one night after his usual walk,
he observed as he neared the door, that he
had been followed for some distance by a per-
son envelopcd in a cloak. He paused at the
door of his lodgings, and the person passed,
not, however, without sharply viewing the
house. Holmes watched the figure as it pro-
coded up the street, and paused Ii in the shadow
OF a lamp post, Curious to observe if he
were watched indeed, Holmes entered the
door, and partially closed it, and in a few mo-
ments the person returned, stopped opposite
the house, as though to mark particularly its
appearance, as well as those adjoining it, and
then crossed the street, and was soon out of
sight, walking at a rapid rate. Believing,
whatever the object Of the person might be,
that it was accomplished, Holmes clo1ed the
door, and retired to his own room.
The next morning he went to his business
as usual, and after tea he took his accustom-
ed walk. On his return to the house, he was
informed by his landlord that a person had
been there inquiring for him, and had left a
letter, with strict injunctions that it should be
delivered Immediately on the return of Mr..
Holmes. He thought to himself what could
be the meaning Of this He took the letter,
hurried to his room, and opened it. Extreme
establishment was depicted on his countenanco
on finding that it contained a check on the
Bank of America, for three thousand dollars,
drawn to his own order, by a very respecta-
bic house in Pearl-street. The envelope con-