The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-11

man must he bribed TO hold his tongue. !
wonder was so thoughtlcss; but these shop
men are SO Clamorous for their debts Yes,
] must have that before sleep, and luckily l
now have what will bring il :"
So saying, ho threw his gaily-tasseed cloak
over his soulders, and took his way to the
shop ofthc ieweller, whom lie found prepar-
ing TO retire for the night.
"You reColect that curiously stamped gold
piece paid you the other day?" said thepro-
tessor TO the man.
EYES,"
swell, it being a present from friend in
town, whom would not for the world have
know that had parted with it, have brought
The amount IN other money to getit back IL
gnn."
"Why, sir, I'm sorry, but you are little
too late"
"IIow SOL"
81 parted with it this very evening"
"To whom, pray"
'To DIR. Lincoln"
The professor actually turned pnie at the
announcement; but he made shift 10 stamr
mer out with an effort at indifference, 60,
well, irsno sort of consequence, sill" and
abruptly departed.
lie was now in dilemma, from which le
could see no way TO escape without disgrace
TO his character, or ruin to his prospects. Turn
which way he would the difficulties seemed
equally insurmounlabIe. Whether he prose-
cutcd or WAS prosecuted himself, an investi-
CATION must ensue, which newell knewwould
place him in n light alike fatal to Ills prelen-
sOns and prospects. Should he take the
other alternative, confess, and try TO recall
his ISLANDERS, he must not only virtually pro-
claim hilnselfa liar and a contemplate Gal
umHntor. but at the same time elevate his
rival at the expense of his own degradation.
In short, he plainly foresaw that the days of
his glory in Gainesville were numbered
And he soon concluded to shape his course
accordingly.
1t was among the very last ofthe unim-
proved days Of grace llut had been allowed
the professor, when one morning, Ms the Car
ter family assembled for breakfast, Miss Ann
Lucrctia, The eldest daughter, failed to make
hcrappeararce. a search was made through
the house: but she was still among the mis-
sag. All was now confusion and alarm
Messengers were despatched to all those pla-
ces about the village, TO which it was thought
possible she might have gone out before the
family had risen. No tidngs, however, of
the object ofthe search could be obtained; and
one of the messengers, on his return, further
reported that Professor Tilden was also mis-
sing. A painful suspicion crossed the minds
Of the weak and blinded parents. They now
rccollectcd that their daughter for the past
week, had been much ofthe time alone with
her instructor; and that she had also, during
the time found some excuse for sleeping in
Il room by herself from which an easy access
could he had to the outer door. And they
ran instantly to the apartment she had oeeu-
pied. Her bed had not been used the past
night and all her best apparel had disappear
cd. The whole ruth was now disclosed
She had eloped with the professor. Mrs.
Carter was deeply chagrined though she
said little, except to express her surprise
But Mr.. Carter, who now saw his folly in
leaving every thing relating to his daughters
to his wife, was loud in his denunciations of
the conduct ofhoth ofthe absconding couple,
aud at first declared his intention to pursue
them. But, rejecting that before this time
they were probably married, and thirty miles
distant, OH their way to one of the cities lie
soon gave up the thought. There were oil.-
ers, however, in the vilIage-in which tie
occurrence made much stir-who, for differ
cnt reason, actually made preparations for
pursuit. These were the merchants, tailors,
&C., who bad been favored by
the liberal patronage Of thp professor, during
his years residence in town. But they, 100,
soon discovered, on recurring to their claims,
that their man had prudculy placed himself
oIt oftheir reach for the present. Itappearcd
that, during the past fortnight, ne had NOT
only Obtained all that was due him from his
patrons, but had taken the precaution TO set
tie with all his creditors, paying off some OF
the least, and giving his notes to the rest,
payable in one or Two months, And, it be-
ing thus found ,lIat pursuit would be alike
useless TO all parties concerned, the measure
was at length abandoned, and the distin-
guShed pair left TO pun sue their journey I'M
nocsted. During the forenoon, the follow
ing note, which had been overlooked in The
first search, addressed TO the Oldest remain
ing sister, was found in the room last occu-
pied by the fair fugtive-
"DEAR A NGELINE;-Befofe you receive this,
I shall he Mrs. Manlius C. w. Tiden. We
have engaged n feet pair of horses and
rapid driver to take us 10 ----, where
magistrate will be in whiting to tie the knot,
and where, having been joined by n friend
of Mr. Il. as bridesman and comPdyion du
rouage, we shall take the stage at four O'clock
AM, for New York--Mr Us former resi-
dencc, you know. lie has been for some
;iine getting disguised with the petty annoy
ances ola country village, which, besides,he
says, is no field for his talents. But he could
not bear 10 leave me. He offered his hand;
and, fearing papa would object especially ia
so sudden n match rs he was resolved 10 make.
or noue-ho proposed the present ronupli':
manner of making our ndieus TO Carrersvitlu
1t is so like him! Well, Angelina, what
would you have done? But if you had Ne
tender sentiment, know what you would
have done. Aud then think of the enviable
station | shall fill among the very ellie of city
society, surrounded by all the elegances and
reiinements Of city life! All this he feels free
to promise me; and do suppose he is soon
to come in possession ola splendid fortune,
though he is so modest about it that ] only
obtained tho secret from him by some mad
vertant hints he has dropped. anticipate
how surprised you will all be, and hardly
eXpect papa will fully approve my course AT