Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-07-04

''N'
edge came the instantaneous conviction of her
fondness for my brothor-so well calculated to
inspire young girls love. | watched them
with the keen and angry eye of Jealousy. l fol-
lowed them in their walks; played the caves
dropper, and caught up the words of their inno'
cent conversation, cndeavoring to turn them TO
their disadvantage. BY degrees came to hate
Norman and what equals III intenstya brothers
hate?
In the insanity of my passoD-then was IN
sane indeed sought to rival my brother IN
everything i'll which he was my superior. lie
was fond Of field sports, and was masterof all
athletic exercises. He was fond of bringing
home the trophies his manly skill, and display
ing them in the eyes of his mistress. He could
bring down the hawk from the clouds, or arrest
the deer in full spring. | practsed shooting
and failed miseribly. His good nature smiled at
my maladrotness, and treasured it up as
deadly wrong. While he rode fearlessIy, |
trembled at the thought of leap. He danced
gracefully and lightly, my awakened attempts at
waltzing made both Amy and her lover smile.
But in mental accomplishments was supe-
rior to Norman-and in my capacity Of teacher
both to Amy and my brother, had ample cp-
portunity of displaying the quiclinesd and power
ofmy mind
Amy was gifted with quick intelligence; Nor
man was a dull scholar What pleasure | took
in humbling him in the eyes Of his Mistress
Norman was astonishcd and wounded with my
manner. AS he wac in good degree depend
ent on me, as he owed to me his nature, susie
nance and training, took full advantage Of our
relative position.
With well feigned earnestness and sorrow, !
exaggerated my recuniary embarrassments, and
pointed out to him the necessity of providing
for himself, suggesting with tears in my eyes,
that he must adopt some servilc trade Or calling
as his melancholy deficiencies precuded the
possibility of his success in any other line.
Norman had little care for money. Before
the fatal advent Of Amy / had supplied him
freely with the means of gratifying his tastes; -
but when found he expended his allowance in
presents for his fair cousin, on the plea of hard
necessity, restricted his supplies, and finally
limited him to pittanco, which only feeble
regard for the memory of our indulgent mother
forced me to grant.
One day-I remember it well--he came to
me with joy depicted in his countenance, and
displayed recent purchase, the fruits of his
forced economy. 1t was a fine rife; and he
urged me and Amy to come and see him make
trial of the weapon, | rebuked him for hi:
cxtravagance with d sharpness which trough
tears into his eyes-butI consented to witness
the trial.
His first shot entered the target. lie loaded
again and handed the weapon 10 me. My bul
let was nowhere to be found. Norman's secon(
shot Tapped his first. Mine was again wide o
the mark. Norman laughed thoughtlessly.-
Amy looked grave, for with womans quick
ness she had guessed at the truth of my feel
ings. cut short the scene by summoning botl
their studies.
That morning Norman, whose thoughts we:'
with his rife, bundered in his mathematics
and rebuked with more than my Usual asperi
ty.
Be it understood that my character stood hlg
with the world was not undistinguShed i
public life, and bad the rare good fortune to con
ciiate both parties. l was working man i
many charitable and phanthropic societies.
was a member of church and looked up to a
model of piety. AS husband and brothc
was held up as model. | had so large CAP
ital of character that could deal in crime to a
unlimited extent.
1t was some days after the occurrence just re
lated, when was alone with my brother in tn
library.
Come, Norman said l leave those stupi
books Study is poor business for youn
free heart like yours. Leave books Tor old az
and rheumatism
Norman sprang up joyously. with all n
heart brother, am with you for a gallop or
ramblc.'
Im but a poor horseman, and an indilfere
WALKER answered. 'What do you say to
little rifle practice. should like to try to mel
my luck
Norman's riGe wcs in his hand in nome
, and whistllng his fovorite spnniel, he salliC
forth with me one bright sunshine autumn
, day. We hied to hollow in the woods who
r he had set up target. He made the first sh
, a splendid one-and then reloaded the rifle al
s handed it to me.
Take care said he how you handle the tri
4 ger, yon know the trigger is an easy one-I a
going to have it altered And he went forwa
, to fix the target frmer in the ground, as his sh
A had shaken ii.
He was twenty PAGES off-his back towar
r. me. | lifted the rifle and covered him with be
: sights. 1t was the work of moment.
hand touched the trigger A sharp report f
d lowed-the puff Of blue smoke whirled upwa
d and my brother fell headlong to the earth.
a The bullet had gone crashing through his sku
J. He never moved.
T. A revulsion of feeling instantly followed.
e the love of former years all the tender pas
is ges of our boyhood; rushed through my br,
ii in an instant. flew to him, and raised h
e from tho earth.
ht At the sight of his pale face beautiful
h death, of his warm bright locks 1abbled in bic
- | shrieked in despair. A mother bewaing
ID first born could not have iet her loss more ket
ly, or bewailed it more wildly. Two or thu
ID woodmen rnshed to the spot. They saw at
D. glance, as they thought the whole story @
- ! f those accidents SO common to the careless,