Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-02-05

at five.
At the hour fixed, puncual to moment, a
brougham drew up at the corner of the street
next 10 my chambers. The Honorable Miss
Shapes card was handed in. Presently, she
entered, swimming into my room, richly yet
simply dressed in the extrem of Parisian good
taste. She was pale rather colorless. She
had fair hair, fine t. eth, and fashio able voice.
She thew herself gracefully into chair which
handed TO her aid began by unc"iling string
OF phrase to the effec iha; her visit was mele-
ly to consult me on unavoidable pecunary diff
cuIties.
According TO my mode, allowed her to talk
putting in onll an occasional word of question,
that seemed rather random observation than
significant query. Al length, after walking
round and round the subject, like a timid horse
in The field, around groom with sieve Of oats,
she came nearer and nearer the subject. When
she had fairly approached the point, she stopped
as if her courage had failed her. Bltse recov-
cred, and observed:
Il cannot think why you should take the
trouble to write so to me, a perfect stranger"
Another pause-"I wonder no one ever sus-
pected me before"
Here was confession and a key to charac-
ter. The cold gray eye, the thin compressed
lips, which mad time to observe, were true in
dexes to the ady'S " inner heart - selfish, cal
cuatng, utterly devoid of conscience; unable
to conceive the existence Of spontaneous kind
ness utterly ludltf'rnnr anything exc IT dis
covery and almost Indifferent to that, because
convinced that no serious consequence could
affect lady Of her rank and influence.
Madam" replied, I" as long as you dealt
with tradesmeu accustomed to depend on aristo'
cratic customers, your rank and position, and
their large profits protected you tlom -n|pclon
but you have made mistake in descending from
your vantage ground to make poor shopman
your innocent accomplice--a man who will be
keenly alive to anything that may iniure his wife
or children. His errors-but for my interpos-
tion-wonId have ruined you utterly. Tell me
how many of these things you have put aaoat? ~
She seemed little taken abock by this speech,
but was wonderful firm. She passed her white,
jewelled hand over her eyes, seemed calculating,
and then whispered, with coniding look of
innocent helplessness, admirably assumed, "a.
bout as many as amount to tN elve hundred
pounds"
"And What means have yol for meeting
them Pr
at this question, SO plainly put, her face flush
ed. She half rose from her chair, and exclaim
ed, in the tine tone of aristocratic hauleur -
"Really, sir, | do not know what right you hav
to ask me that question"
laughed little though not very loud.
was rude, own: but who could have helped it
replied, speaking low bnt slowly and distinct
y:-
"You forget. | did not send for you: yo
came to inc. You have forged bills to the amour
IF twelve hundred pounds Yours Is not IT,
case Of ruined merchant, or an Ignorant over
tempted clerk. Ia your case a jury" (she shud
, lered at that wordl " would find no extenuatiu
circumstances; and if you should fall into tn
hands Of justice, you will be convicted, degrad
I'd, clothed in prison dress, and transported fu
life. do not want TO speak harshIy; but in
I sst that you find means to take up the bi
; which Mr. Administer has so unwittngIy e
dorsed!"
0 The Honorable Miss Shapes grand manne
melted away She wept. She seized and pre-:
my hand. She cast up her eyes, full OF tear
4 and went through the part of repentant victlr
with great fervOr. She would do anything
i, anything IN the world to save the poor man. In
deed, she had Intended 10 appropriate part OF tn
| two hundred pound ill to that purpose, Sll
forgot her first statement, that she wanted tn
money to 90 out of town, Without interrupt
ing, let her go on and degrade herself by
simulated passion Of repentance, regret, an
thankfuness to me, under which she hid ht
fear and modification at being detected.
length put an end to seen of admirable &C
> ing, by recommending her to go abroad imm
diately, to place herself out of the reach of al
sudden discovery; and then lay her case ful
, before her friends, who would, no doubt, fe
> bound to coue forward with the full amount
the forged bills.
But" she exclaimed, with an entreating a
81 have no money; [cannot 60 without mo
ID y"
| To that observation did not respond; ahou!
as am sure she expected that | should, chec
" book in hand, offer hel loan. do not say
Il without reason; for the very next week, tf
! honorable young lady came again; aud wi
y sublime assurance, and number Of very char
y ing, winning speeches (which might have h
e. their effect upon younger man, asked me
lend her one hundred pounds, in order that S
might take the advice | haG so obligingly Civ
rs her, and retire into private life for certain til
b. in the country. do meet with great ma
a inpudent people in the course of my calling
to am not very deficient in assurance myself
IN this actually took away my breath.
'e "Really, madam" 81 answered, you pa,
u very i'll compliment to my gray hairs; and wol
as fan make me very Ill return for the servic,
ne have done you, when you ask me TO lend hr
'u dred pounds to young lady who owns to hu
e. ing forged to the extent OF one thousand t
al hundred pounds, and to owing eight hundT
M pounds besides. ] wished to save persona
D. of your years and position from a disgrace
lg career hut am too good trustee for my Oh
ur dren to lend money to anybody in such dang
ous position as yourself"
"Oh |" she answered, quite unabHshed, vii
ch out trace of the fearful, tender pleading of
as previous weeks interview-qulte as if h
ID, been an accomplice, /" can give you excel,
nts security"
or "That alters the case; can lend any Onol
he on GOOD security"