The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-06-23

| COMES io Oiedk VI HoPe-HO prooaoility
of good fortune. have been poor
man my whole life-ay. my whole life.
You did not think so, because it was not
very apparent; but that Is the real MISE
ry-to endeavor to hide every outward
sign of the canker while it is eating
away our heart-to stitle every groan-
and look contentedly, and quietly on
rich people, who squander on useless lux
ures that which would make, perhaps a
heaven Of our poor pinched life. But
you are rich now-1lam poor, very poor.
and IN debt; but that is no matter, you
shall assist me out of your wealth.
The earnest, but by no means suppli-
eating look which he kept fixed on me
did not contribute to dispose me to list
en- to his peremptory demand on my
charity. l informed him that if he was
SO extremely poor, l should be glad to
assist him little, but could not promise
to do much IN that way, as Il had many
poor relations who had prior claims on
me and, besides the whole poverty at
large was at least fully as much entitled
to my consideration as either he or Mrs.
Savall.
A smile, which at that moment was
incomprehensble to me, passed over his
face; he seemed however, to take but lit
tie notice of my allusion to the unkind
treatment l had so recently received in
his house.
Iffortune is bllnd,' he said, sthat is no
reason why we, who are forsaken by for
tune; should also be blind to our own in
terests. Might we not rise and struggle
for an equal distribution Of good things!
might we not clamor justly when We
see so much going to one, and nothing
to another whose necessities are perhaps
greater; and strive even by force if we
can do nothing else, for our poltion@
for an equal balance to be preserved
amongst those who all cumc into the
world equal! I now assert nv claim to
you-in one house, suffering equally
from poverty, wealth comes to you;
therefore divide it in some degree with
me, Or
There was pause; but was not yet
alarm ed, though | was much startled.
4 believe you are mad, l said, sor you
have been drinking to excess, which is
the only way I can account for your con
duct. You had better 60 TO sleep imme
diately, and YOU will have juster views
Of things in the morning.
eve shall settle this matter now,' he
answered, with a calm efrontery which
perplexed me. 'My portion of the good
fortune which Glanced to you in this
house, shall myselflimlt, seeing 1 know
1 could not bring you to the point. You
shall give me the contents of the pocket
book which you have now on your per-
son. l am easily satisfied, and shall be
content with it. The words, but still
more the looks, caused momentary
thrill of trepidation to pass through me-
what pocket-book, I asked, with
some confusion.
'The pocket-book which you have
this moment concealed in your safest,
most hidden pocket, l suppose; and what
it Notwithstanding about thirteen
hundred in bank notes. I should think.
1 am very moderate in demanding only
SO much out oftwenty thousand, which
happened to alight on this house Of
mne.'
/ was silent from establishment. I
knew not how he knew of the pocket
book, and the very sum which it contain
ed, which had been brought to me only
few hours previously by my solicitor.
He must; suppose, have overheard me
directing the solicitor to bring me such
sum.
WELL said Savall, rising, 'give me the
pocket-book; and l shall leave you at
once when get the thirteen hundred
safe IN my hands,
'Fool. mailman go or I shall give
you in charge cried, much excited.
He laughed-a startling, sharp, hard,
discordant laugh. 1t fixed indelibly on
my memory, that laugh. Often in sick
ness, in fevers, when the nervous system
was highly wrought on. have l since fan
cied heard it ringing in my ears. Even
then that laugh had peculiar and
lndescribable effect on me: l walked
about as II the dellrlum OF recent illness
had returned on me all at once more
powerfully than ever. There was a
long pause, I think, but at last I walked
close to Savall's side; and said
'Mr. Savall, have the goodness to
leave the room ediately; can bear
your presence no longer
r. 'When carry the pocket-book with
,ase, and not till then. Listen to me. I
onesr, by every drop of blood in either
es OF bodies, shall not leave your sight
er be he pocket book is mine.' He mel
led nor sneered as he said this.
18th . ,.; terocity was in his looks-I
;kless Wv plainly the word murder
more My1 brow.
insane ', s soual copied with anger, at last
o'af'y ao Too hallenging him per-