The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-12-30

the Pont, Of IeaPlng. out of bed, and
committing suicide. 80, s.G
True TO his time, the william Oxleigh
made his appearance at the hall as The
clock was striking nine. Sir, William
met him with o fevered bro W and blood.
shot eyes. and in half an hours time
both Of them stepped into the carriage,
which Sir William had ordered to be
IN readiness. They drove rapidlyinto
Somersetshire; and Sir William return.
ed .thunderstruck with what he had
seen-ample and indubtable corrobora-
ton of all Oxleiah had told him over.
night-a ruined, a blighted man. |. was
long before he recovered the stunning
effects of the disclosure. He gradually
became passive in the hands Of Oxlsigh.
The servants at the hall, and Sir Viii.
liam's friends, equally wondered what
could be the reason Of Oxleigh's perpet-
ual presence at at the hall. 4, i. ......
In three weeks time il was a matter
Of notoriety over the country, that
Job Oxleigh, ESQ.,, Of Oxleigh, had pur-
chased "The Sheaves" estate from Sir
William Gwynne; and shortly after.
ward occurred the seizure with which
this narrative commences. Sir William
and Oxleigh. with two desperate fellows
hired by Oxleigh, were the four that
set upon Forster, and subsequently,,
William Fowler. Sir William became
one OF the most miserable. of men. His
altered demeanor and habits became
matter OF public observation. He con.
trived to have i, given out that he haG
become addicted to the gaming table; ;
and the subtle Oxleigh encouraged the
rumor--even allowing himself to be
thought one Of Sir Williams winners!
That consummate scoundrel contrived
to write himself, in two or three
years time, Job Oxleigh Esq. M. p;
and was on teims OF Intimate acquain-
tance with most Of the leading men in
the county. He easily made his pres.
ence, in a manner necessary TO the
wre!ched .baronet, whose nobler soul
: dropped daily under the pressure oI
guilt contracted in weak and evil hour
, and SO wormed himself into, his conf
: dence, that, what with wheedling and
D menace, he obtained an introduction tc
a female relative Of the baronel's and
. married her. 49,. 49,. ~.
Hurrying on an interval of several
years--.ior the few remaining scenes
Of this black drama must now he passed
rapidly before the readers eves--let US
approach the mansion of Job OxIeigh
, Esq, M. p; on an evening in the win,
ter Of the year 1868. He was enter.
entertaining numerous and gay din
ner party, consisting Of some Of the
most distinguished people in the county
Sir William Guynne was to have been
one Of them, but excused himself on
the score Of illness. Many were the
toasts that had been drunk and were
drinking, and the health Of the hos
was being proposed, and received with
complimentary enthusiasm, when a ser
want brought in letter, which he pu,
into the hands Of the Rev. DR.. Ebury
t the vicar of the parish, a stoid and learn
ed man, who, after polite nod to the
host, opened it, and read with muct
surprise as follows: 1.-THE master Of the
workhouse presents respects 10 the
Rev. DR.. Ebury, and begs to inform him
that there is pauper in the workhouse
now in dying circumstances, who has
, SO disturbed. for some time, everybody
in the house with his groans and Iamen
8 tations, that il has been found neces
sary TO put him into room by himself
He says he has something very heavy
{ on his mind, and humbly begs the favol
of clergyman's being sent Tor, wher
. he will make very important comics
, sion. The Rev. Dr.. Ebnry is respect
, fully informed, that the manis pronouc
ed to be in extreme circumstances, j
. may prove too late"
: Great was the astonishment will
: which DR.. Ebury perused the letter
: which he took an opportunity to reae
aloud to the company, at once a suffi
I cient and very very interesting excuse
: for leaving. He promised to return tc
. the party that evening, and commuui
; cate any intelligence he might receive
: Mr.. Oxeigh W., observed to start a,
e Dr.. Ebury went on; and when he hac
3 finished reading the letter, Mr.. OxleigI
: turned deadly pale. fortunately, how
: ever, for him, he had been complaining
: Of indisposition several times in tn,
b course Of the evening; and what wa
! really the. consequence Of CONSERVATION
r and guilt, was attributed by those a
!, round him to the cause he assigned
, His hands, his whole limbs shook; ans
. his eyes looked CLASSIFY around the ne
I longer welcome company; for he fel
i IL al II