Richmond palladium., 1848-03-15

thin. with benevolencc, and every act Of
outdoor, mercantile life, an act of Chris
tian Justice and Christian charity. You
give to those that want, you say: 50 you
do, and why not do i, in this case! Scott
manis;-what! why. kind advice. cheering
up, and little time in the payment Of his
rent"
Every good. Betsy" answered the old
gentleman, every good for woman: but
if Scott don't pay in ten days, he must go;
I'm sorry for him. but he must GO"
The ten days passed.; Peter could not
pay, and was forced to seek another shop.
"Why do you leave your old stand, Scott''
said the first landlord to whom he applied.
Peter hestated moment. but truth came I
offtriumphant. and he told the inquirer that
he had been unable TO pay up promptly.
"And did the old puritan say that was his
reason for breaking with you! Now hap
pen to know it want so; it was because
YOU went to the ball Of the twenty-sccond,
that he's cut you
Scott smiled, and said mildly that it was
the ball anyhow that had got him into trou-
ble "But you don't repent going, do
you'' said the other.
mo, not altogether" replied the cabi-
net-maker, who felt that he would be despi
sed if he said ''yes."
.'It's the only way TO enjoy life, my lad,'
said the other taking his arm. .Corne with
me and III fit you out with a room"
The man to whom Scott had by chance
gone, had been at the ball, and had seen the
Young mechanics wife. and being on the
instant half inclined to attempt her seduc-
ton, for he was one Of those soulmurder
crs who make seduction pursuit-he now
Eel, as If his master. the devil, had put the
opportunity within his reach.
Peter was soon in his new shop, and by
the aid of his landlord, thrown into a large
and profitable business. His landlord visit
ed him too; invited him to his house, for nc
was married, and father; and all seemed
bright. 1.-The ball was a good beginning"
said Sally.
Weeks passed, and months passed-for
il is astonishing how long and how patient
tly men labor and wait to accomplish evil
purposes; months passed, SCOTS business
hourishcd, and his customers increased,
and-how natUral-hs expenses increas-
cd too. Visited by such people as now
honorcd their poor rooms, they must have
some refreshments for an evening and
Sally found new silk dress indispensa-
bic. Summer brought icc-cre ream parties,
and strawberry parties. and Peter could
not resist the invitation Of his landlord to
ride up the river and roll nine-pins. From
rolling nne-Pins out OF town, the passage
was easy to playing Billiards in town; and
billiards made one 50 dry, that Scott, before
he was aware of it longed for the hour when
he could, in conscience, take julep.
In June the quarters rent was due. and
Peter lad religiously laid by enough to
pay it. The day came: he took the sum to
his landlord. ''IIave you more!" said that
worthy. No" "Then !c! it run ano-
thcr quarter. Scott: and keep this to fit you
out for grand frolc We mean to have up
the Little Manu. Peter hesitated; but
how could he resist such kindness! With
heavy heart he pocketed the money and
went home.
The ffolic was had; the money was
spent; the servant of Satan felt his prey
sure. Itwas pleasant July morning, and
!. Scott was busy at his workshop. His
landlord told him he wanted certain Job
done before night, that he might dine at
the nearest hotel, and he would see that
: his wife was informed why he was absent.
, Peter said every good" and worked on.
His kind friend. having thus secured his
absence from home, went about his work
also. 1t was not noon when he entered
SCOTS humble house; it was past three
when he issued from thence. black with
anger and disappointed passion. Before
five, Scott, still working at the pressing
job of his patron, was arrested for the
amount Of his rent. and after short ex-
animation of his stock. committed to Jail.
That night was to his wife one of the deep
est agony. 4 whole new realm of sin and
misery rithin herself had been revealed
I to her; and. in her hush and's unaccounta-
, bic absence, her wits wandered far toward
; madness.
t The next morning little boy brought
this note to her door
"iour husband is in prison; you can re-
, lease him; will you!''
Ignorant of our laws. and knowing a
, prison only as prelude to death or un-
imagined evil, she turned the paper and
. wrote thereon "Any thing
Noon came again; the fiend once more
: sought his victim; he opened the door, and
I behold! Scott himself was there haxinn