The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-07-12

~ hlt only child dauHhtor vino had lately
married wealthy baronet
"We will none of us leave this rpom until
i Ia found /" exclaimed one ofths gentlemen
with ominous emphasis
That decision, said Young man, who vas
engaged that night to a hall, "might quarter
rs on our boat for an Indefinite time. pro-
pose a much more speedy and satisfactory eE-
pedientj let M all be searched.
This uuggestion was received with laughter
aud ScdiSmaii66Ti ana me young uIsn Prr-t
srntlnR hinself a. the Grs. victim,w ,wAs search
ed ny tho vaiet -gl,o Tor 0nee. enarted the'
part of eustom-house officer. The psperal,
who Al first opposed this piece Of practical
pleasantry, ended by laughing at IL; aud each
nes inspection OF packets produced fresh
bursts ofmirth Captain Dutton alone took
TO Ffrsrr i'i -i'st --as t,'',ef ..',i he l,sEa
trombled, his brow darkoned, and he stood as
H'uch Aloof as possible. Az length h;s tara
came The other guests had all displayed the
contents Of their pockets. no with one accord
and amid renewed laughter. they surrounded
him, exclaiming that he must be- the guilty
one, ~ he was the last The captain. pale
aud agitated ,mutterod some excuses, unheArd
amid tho upronr.
, NOW for il, Johnsonl" cried one 10 the
valet.
johnson we're watching you~ aaid an
other produce the eulpriL-
Tho servant advanced; but Dution cross
ing his arms on his breast, declared in an Ng-
itaicd voice, that except by violence. no one
should lay hand on him. A very awk ward
silence ensued, which the General broke by
saving Captain Dut'on is right; this boy's
play ha, lasted long enough. | claim cxemp-
tiou for him and for myself"
Dutton, trembling and unable 70 speak,
thanked iskind host hya grateful look, and
then took an early orportunityor withdraw.
ing, Gen. Vernon did not make the slight.
cat remark on hia depAriurn. and Ilh ranlain.
ing guests, through poltcness initiated hi.
reserve but the mirlh OF tho evening wa,
gone, every face looked anxious, and the host
himself seemed grave aud thoughtful.
Captain Duiton spent somo timo in wan.
doring restlc-ely upon tho sands before he
returned homo. II Has late when he enter.
ed the cottage, and his wife could not reprcs'
an exclamation Of alright when she saw hi,
pale and troubled counicnance.
"That hp, happcncd7 p cried sho,
Nothing" replied hei husband. throwing
himself on a chair and laying sm,l packet
on the table. "You have cost me very dear,
hc said addressing il. In vain did his wifi,
try to soothu him, and obtain an explanation
p iSut no's =, l,-- saiai st.saaorfsW va shall see
Tomorrow ! will tell you ALL"
Early next morning he weat TO General
Vcrnon's house. Although he walked rcso
lutcly, his mind was sadly troubled. How
could he present himself In what way would
he be received ? How could he speak to th,
General without risking the reception of som,
look or word which he could never pardon
The very meeting with johnson was to b,
dreaded.
lie knocked another servant opened th,
door, and instantly gave him admission
l'IAis man, at all events" he thought, know
nothing OF what has passed" win the Gene
raj receive him2 Yes, he is ushercd into til,
y dressing room. Without daring TO raise hi
eyes, the poor man began to speak in low
hurried voice.
General Vernon, you thought my conduc
strange last night aud painful and huiniliat
ing as this explanation will be, feel it du,
20 YOU aud to myself to make it."
His auditor tried to speak, but DuttoI
went on, without needing the interruption
''My misery is at its height; that is my onl,
excuse. My wife and tour little ones arc nc
tually starvingI"
"My fricndl" cried the General with emo
ton. But D0ltou proceeded
IL cauno, describe my feelings yestcr,la,
while seated at your luxurious table. l tho
ofmy poor Jane, depriying herself Of NOR
a"l ofbrcad TO give it to her baby; of my lit
! tie pale, thin Annie, whose delicate appetit,
rejects the coarse food which is all we cal
give her and in an evil hour transferred
two pdteS from my plate TO my pocket, think
ing they would tempt my little darling to cat
should have died OF shame had these thing,
been produced from my pocket, and your
guests and servant made witnesses Of my cru
I'll poverty. Now, General, you know. all
aud but for the fear Of being suspected 10y
you of crime, my distress should never have
been known !"
"a life OF unblemished honor" replied his
friend, has placed, You above the reach of
saspicion besides, look hereP' And he show
cd the missing watch. at is l." continued he
''whd must ask pardon oryou all In fit Of
absence, had dropped it into my waisteoat
pocket, where in Jobnsons prcscncei dis
covered while undressing. --.--.-
,"Tf I had only known" murmurrd poor
Duttoh. '
Don't regret what has occurred" said the
Genera. pressing bis hand kihdly "It has
been the means Of aequainting me with what
Won should nsSeT Aa.a concealed from an old
friend. who. please Co. will end some means
TO serve you -
In few days Captain Dutton received an
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