Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-03-24

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with appreciation in the presence of the other
And it sometimes happened that they were
thrown together in such way as 10 render their
position toward each other really embarrassing;
as, for instance. one was called to preside at Il
public meeting and the other chosen secretary.
Neither could rcfusc and there had TO be an OF.
fetal Intercourse between them 1t was cold
and formal in the extreme and neither could
see, as he looked into the eyes of the other, a
glimmer of the old light of friendship.
Mr. Wexford, now many years older, was
present at this meeting, and marked the fact that
the intercourse between Arrest and Marston was
official only that they did not unbend to each
other in the least. He was gricvcd to see il. for
he knew the good qualities of both, and had
high respect for them.
! This must not be- he said to himself as he
walked thoughtfully homsward. They arc
making themselves unhappy, and preventing
concert Of useful e16ris for good in society. and
all for nothing. will try again to reconcile
them Perhaps may be more successful than
before
So, on the next day the old gentleman made
ii his business to call upon Arrest, who express
ed great pleasure in meeting him.
| noticed said Mr. Wexford, after he had
convcrsed some time, and finally introduced the
meeting on the previous evening, that your in
tercoursc with the secretary of the meeting was
exceedingly formal in fact, hardly courteous
! i don't like him, as you are very well aware,
replied Arrest.
In which feeling you stand nearly alone,
friend Arrest Mr.. Marston is highly esteemed
/ by all who know him
/ 'A don't know him as do
perhaps others know him better than you do.
| There may lie the difference
| If a man knocks me down, | know the weight
of his arm much better than those who have new
err felt it
Still nursing your anger: still harboring I'M
kind thoughts. Forgive and forget, my friend;
forgive and forget No longer let the sun 90
down upon your wrath
! can forgive, Mr.. Wellford-I do forgive
for, Heaven knows. wish him no harm but
cannot forget That is asking too much
You do not forget. because you will not for
give replied the old gentleman. Forgive. and
You will soon forget. am sure you will both
be happier in forgetting than you can be in re-
membering the past
/ But Arrest shook his head, rcnarking, as he
did So
| would rather let things remain as they are
At least. cannot stoop to any Illuminating over
lures for reconciliation. When Nlarston out
ragged my feelings so wantonlv. wrote him a
pretty warm expression OF my sentiments in re-
gard to his conduct. This gave him mortal Of
fence. do hot now remember what ! wrote,
but nothing. certainly. TO have prevented his
coming forward and apologizing for his conduct.
But he did not choose to do this, and there the
matter rests. cannot recall the angry rebuke
! gave him. for it was no doubt lust
J a man that writes a letter in a passion and
aNerward forget+ what he has written, said Mr..
Wexford, may be sure that he said what his
Der reason cannot approve. If you could have
the letter you then sent before you now, mag
inc that you would no longer wonder that Mars
ton was offended
That is impossible. Without doubt he burn
ed my note the moment he received it,
Mr. Wexford tried in vain to induce Arrest to
consent to forget what was past. But he at
iirmed that this was impossible and hat he had
10 wish 10 renew al acquaintance with his old
friend.
About the same time that this interview took
place Mlrston was alone, thinking with sad and
sonencd feelings of the past. The letter of Ar
nest was before him. lie had turned It over by
accident.
lie could no, have been himself when he
wrote this he thought. 1t vas tho first time he
had permitted himself to lIIink so. Ny COM
mcn's must have stung him severely lightly rs
made them. and with no intention 10 wound
This matter ought not TO have gone ON so long
Friends are not so plentiful that we may care
lcs-ly cast those we have tried and proved aside
lie has many excellent qualities
Pride came quickly, with many suggestions
about sclircspect, aud what every man owed to
himself
lie owe. it TO himself to be Just to others
Marston truly Thought Was lust in falling
to apologize 10 my friend, notwithstanding this
offensive letter! No, was not; for his action
in the matter did not cXorcrate me from the res
possibility Of mine. An me! How passion blinds
lis =
After musing for some time, Marston drew to-
/ wards him sheet of paper, and, taking up pen,
; wrote;
p, My DEAR SIR What ought to have done
vea,s aro do now, and that is, offer you a sin
; cere apology for light words thoughtcssly spok-
en-, but which ought not TO have used as they
were calculated TO wound, and, am grieyed to
: think. did wound. But for your note. which
f incosc, | should have made this apology the mo-
mcnt had an opportunity. But its peculiar
; tenor, then felt, precuded me from doinp So
, / confess that erred in letting my feelings blind
: my cooler Judgment
t Your old friend, MAEsroy.
= To Mr.. HERBERT ARNEsT'
, Inclosing the note alluded to in this letter.
d Marston sealed, and, ringing for an attendant,
dispatched it.
+ Better to do right late than never he muir
e INJURED, as he leaned pensivey back in his chair.
: Let what will come of It, shall feel better for
II ward assurance that have done right more than
; have for long time had, in regard to this mat
: ter at least
n Relieved in mind, Marston commenced look
Il ing over some papers in reference to matters of
: business then on hand, and was soon so much
absorbed in them that the subject which had late
: " filed his thoughts faded entirely therelrom.-
I Some one opened the door, and he turned to see
who was entering, In an instant he was on his
5 feet. 1t was Arrest.
: The face of the latter was pale and agitated,
= and his lips quiyered. lie came forward hurried
1 ly, extended lis hand, not 10 grasp that OF his
= old friend, but to hold mp his own letter that had
: been lust returned to him.
(; Marson,' he said, huskily, Did / send you
d his note!
= 'lou did was the firm but mild answer.
. thus cancclitn And he tore il into shreds,
and scattered ,hcm on the floor. Would that
p lis contents could be easily obliterated from
$ your memory he added in a most earnest
Il voice.
d They are no longer there, my friend, return
: ed Marston, with visible emotion, now grasping
c the hand OF Arrest. You have wiped them out.
= Arrest returned the pressure with both hands,
d his eyes fixed ON those of Marslon until they
4 grew 30 dim that he could no longer read the old
:. familiar lines and torgying look.
!, let Us forgive and forget, said Marston,
d speaking in broken voice, We have wrong