The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1851-06-18

nnl find The wasrh. General Vernon
surprised. wen. himself. bul vas no
more fortunate.
!. Perhaps. SIR. ynn or one Of The com.
pany may have earried il By mistake IN.
10 The drawing -room s'
a. think not; bnl we will iry."
Another search. in y hich all The guests
Joined. but without avail.
!" What fear" said The General, f. il
that some one by chance may tread upen
and break H."
General Vernon was q uidower, and
This costly irinket Was intended as pre-
sent 10 his onIy daughter. Who had lately
married wealthy baronei.
We will none Of us leave This room
until II is r exclaimed one Of The
gentlemen with ominous emphasis.
THAT decision" said q young man.
who Was engaged lila, night 10 bail.
might quarter us on our hos for an indefi.
bile time. Ipropose much more speedy
and satisfactory expedient; LEI US all be
searched"
This suggestion was received with
laughter and aelamsions and The young
man presenting himself as The first VIC
Tim. was searched by The .,alel, who, for
The nonce, enacted The pari OF cuslom-
house officer. The general. who al first
opposed This piece Of practical pleasanlry,
ended BY laughing al ii; and each new
inspection Of pockets produced fresh bursis
OF mirih. Captain Dnilon alone took no
share in what was going on: his hand
irembled. his brow darkened, and he stood
as much apart as possible. Al length his
turn came; The other guests had all dis
PLAYED lie contents OF their pockets. so
with one accord, and amid renewed laugh
Ter, they surrounded him. exrlaiming lha,
he must be The guilty one, a. lie was The
last. The captain, pale and agi,aied.
muitered some excuses, unheard amid
the uprosr.
"Nnw for il, Johnson I" cried one 10
The valet.
johnson, we're watching you T. said
another; .prodrce the rnlprn."
The servant advanced; but Dul,nn
crossing his aims on his breast, declared
in an agilaied voice, that, except by vio-
lenee, no one should lay hand on him.
A very awkward silence ensued. which
the general broke br sa,;i.... 49, -
rssrru Inng enough. claim exemption
/ Cor him and for myself.
Dullon. trembling and unable 10 speak,
thanked his kind host By grateful look,
and then took an early opportunity Of
Withdrawing; General Vernon dId mol
make The slightest remark on his depar-
lure. and the remaining guests, through
poliIeness, inflated his reserve; but The
mirih Of The evening was gone, every face
looked grave and thoughtful.
Captain Duiton spent some time in
wandering resllessly on the sands before
he returned home. Ii was late WHEN he
entered the cottage, aud his wife could
no, repress an exclamation Of alright
v lien she saw his pale and troubled coun'
tenance.
What has happened!" cried she.
Nothing" replied her husband throw.
ing himself on a chair, and laying a.small
packet on the table. You have cost
me very DEAR" lie said, addressing il. IN
vain did his wife liy To soolhe him, and
obtain an explanation. j" Not now, Jane,
he said "to.morrow we shall see. To-
morrow will Tell You all"
Early next morning he went 10 Gene
raj Vernon's house. Although he walk
ed resoluiely, his mind was sadly troubled.
How could he present himself! In what
way would he be received! How could
] lie speak 10 The general without risking
the reception Of some look or word which
lie conld never paldan! The very meet
ing with Johnson was 10 be dreaded.
He knocked, another servant opened
the door, and Immediately gave him adj
mission. " This man. al all events" he
thought. "knows nothing Of what has
passed." Will The general receive him
Yes; he is ushered into his dressing
! room. Without daring TO raise his eyes
The poor man began 10 speak IN d low
hurried voice.
i "General Vernon, you thought ny
conduct strange last night; aud painlu
and humilialipg as The explana ion vii
be, | feel il due 10 you and to myself IL
make it.
!, His auditor tried II speak, but Dultol
went on without needing the interruption
!" My misery is al It's height; that is m,
, onlv excuse. My wife and four It'll
, ones are actually starving y
.My frieni!" cried the general will
emotion. But Du,ton proceeded.
Il cannot describe my feelings yesier
day while seated at your luxurious table
!, | thought Of my poor Jane, deprlsIn
!; herself Of morsel Of bread 10 give u !
+ her baby; Of my little pale Thin Anne
!. whose delicate appetite rejects The coars
: food which is all we can give her; am
in an evil hour transferred Two pafes
/ my pocket, thinking they would temp
!. my darling to eat. ! should have Due
il Of shame had these things been produce
from my pocket, and your guests an
sorvants made witnpsses Of my cruel pt