Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-03-05

Tor his native home with bags Of gold,-the pro-
duct, as the world believed, Of honest merit!
CHAPTER VIII.
''Be propiiious, 0 PandafIando Of the gloomy
aspect" exclaimed Tom Talbot, as on the NOR.
ming succeeding the anniversary Qualification -
ne advanced TO where Hamilton Forbes was seat
ed beneath the shade Of some forest oaks, which
reared their irowning heights above his dwelling,
like battalion Of grim aud giant warders. "Bo
cheerful to-day if you can," continued he, as he
sat down beside Hamilton, and rested his rifle on
his knees, "lor you arc one of those pictures that
look best in the fullest light, yet here you are
melancholy looking as a tailor"
"lou seem in a pleasant vein this morning,
Tom"
Son my conscience, believe you do nothing
all day here but frOwn at that misletoed oak, and
humble some ambracadabraaround it, like bare
legged Druid"
You me very complimentary, Mr.. Talbot" "
replied Hamilton with some impotence of man
ncr; for he was not in mood 10 relish the BAN
tering of Tom.
"Mr. Talbot" echoed Tom with bitter into
nation Of voice, while he bit his lip. "Cal me
Mr.. Talbot again, Hamilton, and shall trouble
| you WIN my presence no MORE.
There was something really touching in the
manner in which Tom uttered the last words and
Hamilton felt it.
''Pardon me, Tom; meant not to offend YOU;
but am not in the happest mood to-day"
'Nor |, Hamilton; and could badly spare the
counsel and the society of such friend as YOU,
just now," and his lip rembed as he spoke.
'What has occurred!" inquired Hamilton,
looking intently into the troubled countcnance
Of his companion.
"Hamllton, am not latterer, nor am de-
celtlul, believe; but always liked you-very
much," continued he, without needing Hamil-
tons quostioning;-"and have sometimes fear
ed that you disIiked-nay, despised me for my
headlong and prohgate conduct!'
"No Tom, not deSpiSed you that would have
been impossible; though, for | will speak plainly
TO you, have regretted to see your many noble
qualities blurred by certain indulgencies, which
time and reflection, hope will enable you 10
get rid Of"
81 chose bad companions, Hamilton, replied
Tom in the same low voice, and without looking
up,-'peaSant companions, but unsound aud
dangerous ones. Daily and nightly, for years,
have they been eating and drinking at my ex-
pense, yet they have been the first to turn tail
upon me in the hour of need. O., the ties ce-
mented by the bottle, are as heeting as tle SPAR
kle on the wine glass! have learned that, Ham
ilton."
SIN that, Tom, you have learned much" re-
piled his friend, now more and more puzzled at
TOMS unusual style ofconversation.
at was last night my father threatened to dis
inherit me-"
"Indeed!"
81 rushed from the house and sought out my
friends. wanted their sympathy, and then a
deeper dcbauch than ever. Some laughed at
my fathers threat: others affected to be sorry;
but the manner of their sorrow made me sudden
ly suspicious. The thought struck me at the in
stant that would make immediate trial of their
friendship: and | did so. O, it was a lucky
thought | represented to them then, that
things were really worse than had intimated at
first, and that | might now be looked on as a
ruined gentleman. requested one oithem-him,
who for years had paid his tailor, laundress, land
lord, out of his winnings from me at cards, lendto
mea certain small amount but hedened me! Itried
another, and then another, but with the same re-
suit. Indeed, | was becoming troublesome
saw ihat
"They sat down to cards with each other,
without once inviting me to join them. stood
and looked on, and smiled within myself at the
success of that lucky thought of mine. But it is
painful TO discover baseness where you have CIV
en- credit for something better. knew my faith
er would relent on my amending my easy ways
and ''living ceanly," as Fastaff says, and that
am now resolved. Come take your gun and ac-
company me down toward the river; we can kill
a buck or two perhaps, before dinner, and shall
tell you more ofmy experience on the way. alt
strikes me, Hamilton he continued, ,asthey enter
ed the forest, "that one who has been discarded
by his parents-keep more TO the left Hamilton
a little nearer Simpsons house-wil be very
apt TO be discarded by the world too. So WAS
lat Simpson who came out from the gate with q
gun!"
81 don't see him."
"He is going down the lane from the house.
!, So, as was saying, there were three or four o
those friends to whom was owing some riai nc
debts of honor-triAes compared TO the thou.
sands already gone the same way,-and pulled
out roll of notes and paid them with poltest ac.
curacy. You should have seen their looks
Hamilton, when they eyed that roll of notes
a little more TO the right and facing the river
and how they laughed, and called me coaxng
Tom, and now were certain had been quizzing
them, and asked me why didn't play; and now
they ordered in bumper of "anchor brandy
How did act, think youl''
'Declined Indignantly, of course"
80, no, no! Indignation were far too precious
to lavish on such things; but told them, in my
blandest way, that since they were poor and mis-