Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-01-14

Mr. Blanchard, land tell me how this sad
mistake arose"
Perhaps it was Frankiin's eloquence-
perhaps u wns Carolines appcaFance-oet,
haps It was both, which drew the silent tear
from Mr. Blauchard's eyes, and those two
significant words from his lips But oh !
to Franklin's soul, wrought up almost to
despair-almost to madness-ihey were
rapture, they were ecstacy, they we're like
the firsI streak ofgolden sky which announc.
es 10 the hai-wrecked sailor that the TEN.
pest is over
Speak, my dear young lady" said Mr.
Blanchard, do not ,reinbe so you have
nothing to fear frnm mew
81 left the door" said Caroline. In low
voice, without knowing had the lace
A gentleman ran against me and knocked
II out Of my hand. lie picked i, up. |
then saw what had done. exclaimed.
mama, let US go back !'-but mama had
gone on was alonc--two men seized me
and and"
She covered her face with her hands, and
sunk into the chair.
But, so FAR from coming back" said Mr.
Jennings piercing voice, "you we're walk
ing rapidly away"
"No," said Caroline.
"But say yes!'' screamed Jennings
Mr. Williams was not the young woman
walking rapidly away 7"
"She had been walking rapidly" said Mr.
Williams. "but when we came up she was
as she says, standing still. looking NJ the
lace. II is also true that an old gentleman
ran against her, knocked the lace out of her
hand, aud picked il up again. That | saw
from the distance"
MARX you p exclaimed Franklin, "how
each small feature Of her story is confirmed"
But you lett our door," exclaimed Mr.
Jennings, 'at furious pace"
That can explain to your satisfaction"
said franklin. I'VE were engaged to call
upon lady, Mrs Porter. No =. Portland
Place, at half past two This Mrs Porter
herself can testify. We lefi your door too
late, and walked rapidly to keep on, APP
pointment. You can ascertain from your
clerks at what hour we left."
at was just half past two" said Mr. Will
liams. 81 looked at the clock"
MARK J" cried Franklin, with an air of
triumph
Upon my word. Nd Jennings" said Mr.
Blanchard. 1--WE have been too hasty-"
A, that moment the door opened and an.
other person entered.
Just in time" muuered Mr. Jennings.
u was Mr. Blake. chief parnter in the firm
of Blake, Blanchard g. Co. lie was a VEN
cradle old gentleman, Of an agreeable per-
sou, with a certain dignity which well be-
GENE his snow-white hair, but through
which, on the present occasion. appeared a
settled firmness, almost a siernness, boding no
good.
"You have come in time" said Jennings.
"Do you know what is going on here r.
II do. The faetshayc been related to
me-"
"And the famous defencei" added Jen.
nings. with one OF his worst sneers, ''do you
know that Hlsol"
II do. Il is clear case. There is but
one course for u.s.
"And yet" cried Jennings, "Mr Blanch-
ard has been thinking j, will not do to send
SO respectable young lady to prison. But
say you will moi have a case in forty years
81 pfoper'to make wholesome example Of.
IL you let this one 60, whom can You pun.
ish! Precautions were useless, il thieves
can commit their depredaiions under our
very noses with impunity."
81 am Of your opinion" said Mr. Blake.
The offence is OF very aggravated de-
scription; and deem it absolutely neces-
sary 10 send the delinquent befre magis-
lrate TO be punished as she deserves"
81 have explained said Franklin.
Bot while he commenced once more his
agonizing task, Mr. Jennings took Mr. Blake
aside, and whispered to him some minutes
vehemen,ly. Franklin attempted to speak
again.
al will hear no explanation" said the
old gentleman. "No argument-no char.
acter mo references can prevail against so
wicked felony so clearly proved The
youth, condition in life, and education Of
the person, only render the crime more de-
testable, and the necessity for terrible ex-
ample more unavoidable. Your own good
sense should have taught you, sir, that
threats are here cut Of place, and violence
can Only make matters worse. have SOL
emily vowed that would meet the next
case with the utmost rigor of the law. /
am determined TO prosecute. Where is the
prisoner! Policemen, take her into Gus
toby"
But" cried Franklin.
81 will hear no more" said Mr. Blake,
eoldly and firmly. "Mr Jennings, who has
gone over the case with the most attention,
is thoroughly convinced"
"ThorOughly p said Mr. Jennings.
Policemen"
Franklin's brain whirled in wild despair.
lie clasped his hands-he conjured the
mild, mistaken man, whose slightest word
could save Caroline from destruction.
Mercy ,J ask only one day"
Young man. you plead in vain Ask
mercy of God, but not of me-"
"fhen listen, heart Of s,onel" cried
Franklin, "and hear my final words. You
are old. Your head is white your feet
ATE already in the grave. You will. ere
long, be called before your Maker--your-
self trembling supplant for mercy. IL,
with cold-blooded, stupid obsiinacy. in the
face of my warning, you drug this innocent
and modest girl, prematurely, into police
office-at bar for criminals--to stand a
spectacle for the public, amid robbers, and
murderers, and 10 run the fesrful chances
of the law, solemnly warn you, old man,
4 -. ...1.o.. H.. -. ..,.,. -.