Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-03-26
select Tales.
From the National Magazine for February.
The Noble Retaliation,
BY ROBERT F. GREELEY.
THE MERCHANT.

1t was the night before Christmas, five years
ago. Snow lay on the sidewalks to the depth
of several inches, and the wind came whistling
through keyholes and crannies and whirling the
falling fakes against the window-panes. The
lights glittered gaily, nevertheless, in the well
stored windows of the innunerable shops with
which New Yorks great thoroughfare Broad
way, is lined-whiIe here and there CLEAN of
ruddy brightness shone out from the tapestrled
easements of some aristocratic dwelling upon
the murky atmosphere, and the thrilling laugh
of the gay and beautiful mingled its tones with
the voice of the storm without
On Just such night as this it was, that Mr..
Pryce Benedick-a man of ample means and
liberal income-turned from the door of well
known curiosity shop, and, wrapping securely
about him his thickIy lined cloak--as well to
shield himself from the piercing blast, as to pre-
serve from injury package of costly presents,
intended for distribution among his little ones
at home-tool his way, with what speed he
might, toward Eighth street Pleasant thoughts
of the delight with which his appearance would
be welcomed by his family, and of the comfort
able fre-sde around which they were grouped,
impatientIy anticipating his coming, came crowd
ing in rapid succession upon his mind, and added
fresh agility to his steps He had not forgotten
his wife among the rest, as splendid shawl,
snugly stored away beneath one of his arms, and
for which he had just given in payment a DILL to
the amount of one hundred dollars, bore ample
and convincing testimony
AS he hurried along with all these things in
view, the worthy merchant was ostonished at
hearing groan, proceeding apparently from
some place near at hand Pausng for a mo
ment and looking round to ascertain its source
he was enabled, by the rays of a neighboring
lamp, to perceive, outstreched upon the steps
of an adjoining mansion, where he had fallen
apparently from sheer exhaustion, an attenuated
figure upon which the incIemency OF the weather
had already made sad ravagcs.
Mr. Pryce BenedicIl's first impulse was to
pass on-for he knew how eagerly his advent
was looked for by those whom he had left behind
and as yet his supper was untasted. But the
sight of so much distress in the open street, ant
on such a night wakened a dormant feeling o.
COlLullSSci dtIOl III HIS own DOSOl, ana IuTnllll
back with something of sefreproach for hi
hesitation, he addressed the wrctched object o
his pity
My good fellow he said touching him a
the same time gently with his foot, to arouse
him from his stupor-' do you know what you ar,
doing? If you lie here in the snow mucl
longer you'll soon be a fit subject for the Pot
ters-ield. Why don't you get up, and g
homel
The person thus appealed to raised himsel
with a considerable effort upon his elbow, an,
after scruinizng the merchant closely for som
seconds, as if to assure himself that they wer
not the words of mockcry which he had hear
replied with discordant laugh that made Mr.
Benedck's blood run cold.
HOmci | have no homep
And with this single exclamation he fell bach
once more, and reapsed into the state of hal
consciousness from which he had been aroused
But Mr.. Benedick was not to be thus pu
off, having once made commencement-so hi
wrapped his warm cloak more tightly about hi
person, and returned to the attack
This will never do, my man. If YOU have
no home, that is no reason why you should liz
about the streets in this reckless way
What else can dor asked the man. q
am penness and starving-beyond the power
to do bit of work. even if could obtain
it,
Do exclaimed the merchant, as if he was
much astonshed at the question. Why, go tC
the alms-house to be sure.
To the alms-house?' rejoined the other
shuddering.
Yes-to the alms-house. That is the place
for such as you-whcn you're not too proud tC
go there; and, Pm sorry to say, that's too fire.
quenty the case with you poor people, Toe
lazy to work, and too Independent to accept Of
charity, you turn your backs upon the world, and
call it hard-heartcd and ungrateful'
The mendicant looked nquvingly into the
speakers face, and then asked:
Would you like to be sent to the aims.
housel
IN ha! hal hal laughed Mr.. Benedick
what an ideal You must surely be crazyP
Not at all, sir; | merely asked you the simple
question, and as have satisfied your curiosity
thus far, I have right to be answered in m
turn. Imagine yourself in my situation
I'D rather not, if it's the same to YOU re
joined Mr.. Benedick, with SILVER
only ask you to suppose that such were tn
case Would you not die sooner than ente
such place!
why, really, my good man. said the mel
chant, Il don't see that there's much chanc
of such calamity with regard to myself BIT
since you have asked my candid opinion, wi
say there's not much choice between the aims
house and the grave
And yet you would have me mmure myse
within place where charity is but another nan
for drudgery and degradation. lam sufferin
for the want of a little food, but had rathc
die than go there. Can you blame me!'
Tc tell you the truth, rejoined Mr.. Ben
dick, who began to wish that he had not stoI
ned-fOr II was 0ettinU late and he had ta1kf