The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-09-03


that she was "deuced intelligent and lovely
almost forgot the fact of her being a sewing
girl.
Early in the evening Renwick came in
His surprise at finding Catharine Brainart
Emily's guest, was manifest enough in hi
looks to the former, although it escaped the
sed and confused and after sitting few mo
ments in uncomfortable restraint, pleaded al
urgent engagement and left.
Catharinc had left word at home for hel
cousin to call for her at eight o'clock Ac
cordingly, at eight o'clock Robert was usher
ed in, surprised to find Catharine enjoying
herself i'll the parlor instead Of toiling at hel
needle. He was introduced to Emily and
her brother, but the latter had met him be-
fore, and knew him to be a talented student
of law, although his acquaintance with him
was but slight.
Emily seemed to have an unusual flow Of
spirits upon this occasion. As her brother
expressed it, she was as merry and playful
| as kitten"
She laughed and chatted with Robert Jor-
dan, played and sang for him, until he caught
the spirit of her vivacity, and became as
much at home and familiar as if he had been
among old acquaintance.
To finish the amusement of the evening,
she set her brother to playing the piano,
and waltzed with Catharine until she was
giddy.
1t had been a long time since the cousins
had passed an evening Of so much delight,
and so feetly did the time pass that they
were both astonished to hear the clock strike
eleven, when they scarce thought it nine
When they took leave, Emily accompanied
Catharine to the door, and bidding her good
night with kiss, slipped purse into her
hand, and glided back into the room before
the grateful girl had time either to refuse the
gift, or utter her thanks.
AS soon as they were out Of the house
Catharine burst into tears. Robert under
stood her emotion, and did not attempt to
check it. By the time they had walked a
square or two, she became composed, and
commenced a conversation with her cousin
upon the incidents of the day, in the course
of which she remarked
Emily is a sweet girl, cousin"
So l have been thinking" he returned.
"What pity she is going to marry Rem
wick"
"What ?" exclaimed Robert, abruptly.
She is to be married to Renwick, in
April"
''By all that is good she shall not" ejacu-
lated the young man in an aSitated tone.
"Why, cousin, are you demented what
are you saying ?" asked Catharine, astonished
at his emotion.
"Im foolish" rejoincd the cousin, recover
ing himself, " but it shocked me to hear of so
fine girl being sacrificed to a villain. But
are you sure you have been rightly inform
ed? ?"
II had it from her own lips said Catha-
rine, she has engaged me to commence next
week making up some of the wedding gar
ments."
Robert made no further remarks, but
walked the rest of the way in thoughtful 81
home they found Mrs. Brainard uneasy on
account of their long absence. They gave
the old lady an account of what had transpir-
ed, and then examined the purse and found
it to contain fifty dollars, instead of fifty
cents, for which she had bargained to do the
days sewing.
it was with different feelings that the little
party sought their pillows that night from
those which had oppressed their hearts for
many nights previous. A brighter day was
dawning!
A few days after the incidents above rela-
ted, George Renwick was sitting alone in his
counting room, when his lawyer entered with
an ominous elongation of countenance, and
after brief salutation, said
/ have Just got wind of an affair, Mr.
Renwick, that will give us some trouble.
"What is that 2" asked Rcnwick, calmly
putting his cigar,
The widow Brainard is in the field a.
gain
"Well, if she is fool enough to revive the
old suit she will get her fingers burned
again. A few dollars transferred from my
pocket to yours in the way Of fees, will be the
amount ofthe trouble, suppose-eh squire
isn't that the state Of the case 2"
Il rather fear the business is more serious
this time returned the attorney,
Renwick slightly changed color, but affect
ing unconcern, calmly returned
"Well, let it come, so that you can keep
it off till after the first of April, Pm content
to bear the brunt."
Unfortunately, it is not altogether a civil
suit, and can't be put off. That young devil
of Jordan, her nephew, is making criminal
case of it, and the issue must come on at the
March term"
Criminal case March term what do
you mean"
1 mean," answered the lawyer bluntly,
" that young Jordan, as willy as fox, and
as keen as a blood hound, is moving heaven
and earth, to indict you for swindling, for
gerry and perjury"
Renwick set his teeth hard together, and
seemed scarce able to breathe for moment,
then with passionate energy opened his desk,
and taking out roll of bank bills, amount
ing to five hundred dollars, he placed them
in the hands Of the attorney, exclaiming be-
tween his clenched teeth
"There, sir crush the scoundrel crush
him and will be your debtor for double that
sum p
That will be no easy matter" returned
the lawyer, as he cody fobbed the fee. His
shrcwdncss and energy are amazing 1t beats
all, sir, how he has managed to bring about
this business, so quietly and effectively. I'll
i II.