The national whig., 1847-07-10


excitement sat on every face, and knots Of
whisperers met t.eyery corner, or-beiore
the doors of the principal tradesmen, who
were all, more or less, sufferers by the bank
ers' failure. Sumises, doubts, and open
allegations were freely banded about, and
the expressions Of vengeance and despair
that broke from the various sufferers struck
deeply into ElLerington's heart as he walk
cd through the excited throng. lie wished
TO inquire how much they knew, where
their suspicious pointed, and, above oil, 10
ascertain the life or death Of the driver
but he did NOT dare to trus, himself with
speech.
He found lis Ellen in tears. Her father
had lost heavily-in fact, oil he possessed,
except the house he lived in, and life IN
terest, Of little value, in some property in
an adjoining county. Mr.. Norris mel
Etherington with evident embarrassment ;
he wished the match to be broken olf-hi.
pride would not allow his daughter to 60
a beggar 10 that mans arms who, when she
was rich, had been refused consent unless
he could command certain sum. Ether
ington expostulated absolyed Mr.. Norris
from his part Of the contract, but insisted
upon its full performance as connected with
his immediate marriage. The old gentle
mans reserve Immediately vanished; he
seized the lawyer by the hand, and said that
he regarded the loss Of the money as moth
ling, compared to The satisfaction of having
found so honorable and generous son-in-
law. Etherington endeavored 10 smile, but
was unable to return the cordial grasp oi
the man whose ruin he had caused.
Several days had elapsed, but the excite
ment did not subside. Etherington suffer
ed the worst of torturss inbeing compelled
to hear the hourly statements Of the wretch
edness and suffering which the robbery had
produced, many Of The small tradesmen de-
clared themselves insolyent, factories were
stopped for want Of money, and hundreds
Of v Workmen were discharged; panic and
desola,ion ruled the day. The indignation
Of the working men assumed SO threaten
ing shape, that the bankers were compell-
ed 10 fly the country. Etherington had
been busily employed in drawing out de-
positions in evidence, and attending to the
surmises Of every thick k-headed, of6cious
fellow, who thought he could see further
into the affair than his neighbors. The
young mans soul sickened at his daily
practice Of foul hypocrisy.
| Johnson was not fogthcoming, nor had
The smallest appropriation Of the booty been
forwarded to the wretched Etherington,
who now felt, but toe late, that his partici-
patton in the fatal deed had not only des-
troyeh his own prospects, but had ruincd
the happiness of all around.
The servant again inquired after the safe
ty of the horse, a valuable and favorite ami
NAL Etheringtsn repeated hrs former state
ment, That he had lent him to friend. ~
The servant asked if he knew where this
friend had taken the horse, and when he
Twas expected back for Bill, the ostler, at
the Red Lion, had gone to live at < ---, .
town about forty miles across the,country,
and he had sent word by the guard of the
stage, that lawyer E,herington's horse hae
been lef, there quite knocked up ant
} over-workea An Al-looking fellow rod
him into town, and had gone off by th
) early morning coach to London. He knew
) the horse by tile star on his forehead.
Il Etheripgton was unable to conceal hi
confusion. The servant was ordered dcwl
stairs; but the story spread from mouth L
mouth and at the next meeting Of the ma
y gistrates, Etherington was questioned as K
| the truth OF the report Lie succeeded III
he tried to spread probability over the
. story he had coinedabout selling his horse
! to stranger; but i was evidently disbe
J lieved Mis,rust was aroused; there wa
|, no definite charge, but although be contin
, ued to attend he was not again requested
to assist in the mail robbery investigation
Il The marriage day arrived, and Ellen, wh'
] had insisted upon the performance Of tn
| ceremony in private. never looked NOR
! lovely than in the simple white dress sh
} wore, to grace this humble festival. Tn
/ father's broken fortune admitted not Of dis
j play, and Etherington, who had ruined
/ whole community to put himself into funds
! had scarcely been able to raise the expense
: OF the day. Still he hoped that Johnso
! -lwould keep his word and though his SO,
/ loathed at the crime he committed, and h
}, abhorred the foul train Of consequences
IS had engendered, he could not give up hi
e claim to the profits Of his guilt
i -, 70 be concluded
II An Interesting
nj I'd lN M u V1TG.a E ..-