The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-11-24

sad he had been to Elm Park, but not
finding either Mr.. Arbuthnot or his lady
there, he had thought that perhaps the
Rev. Mr.. Townley might be able to pro-
nounce upon the genuineness of a check
for G300, purportng to be drawn on the
Taunton Bank by Mr.. Arbuthnot, which
Dandy, the miller. had obtained cash for
at Bath. lie further added, that the
bank had refused payment and detained
the check, believeing it to be forgery.
"A forgery! exclaimed the rector after
merely glancing at the document, No
Question that it is, and a very cumsily
executed one, too, besides, Mr.. Arbuthnot
Is not yet returned from Ireland
This was sufficient, and the messenger,
with many apologies for his intrusion,
withdrew, and fastened back to Taunton.
We were still talking over this sad affair,
although some hours had elapsed since
the clerks departure-in fact, candles had
been brought in, and we were every mo-
ment expecting Mr.. Arbutnot, the sound
OF horse at hnsty gallop was heard
approaching, and presently the pale and
haggard face of Dandy shot by the window
at which the rector and myself were STAN
ding. The gate bell was rung almost
Immediately afterwards, and but a brief
interval passed before Mr.. Dandy was
announced to be in waiting. The servant
had hardly gained the passage with leave
to show him in, when the impatient vis-
itor rushed rudely into the room in state
of great and it seemed angry excitement.
What, sir, is the meaning of this i'll
hammered intrusionf demanded the rector
sterniy. .. .........
You have pronounced the check / paid
away at Bath u fogery; and the officers
are, | am told, already at my heels. Mr..
Arbuthnot, unfortunately, is not at home,
and L am come, therefore, to seek shelter
with you.
Shelter with me, sirn exclaimed the
indignant rector, moving as he spoke to-
wards the bell. Out of my house YOU
shall go this instant.'
The fellow placed his hand upon the
reverend gentleman's arm and looked
with his bloodshot eyes keenIy in his
face.
Don't' said Dandy, don't for the sake
Of yourself and yours! Don't warn you;
or if you like the phrase better, don't, for
the sake of me and mine
Yours, fellow! Your wife, whom YOU
haveso long heli in cruel bondage through
her fears for her son, has at length sha.
ken off that chain.-James Harper sailed
two days ago from Portsmouth for BON.
bry; sent her the news two hours since
He! Is that indeed sop cried Dandy
with an irrepressible start of alarm. WHY
thcn-But no matter; here luckily come
Mrs. Arbuthnot and her son. Alps right
She will, | know, stand bail for me, and
if need be, acknowledge the genuiness o
her husbands check
The fellows insoIence was becoming un
hearable, and was about to seize. and
thrust him forcibly, from the apartment
when the sound of wheels was heard
ontside.
Hold! one moment he cried, with
vehemence. That is probably the officers;
l must be brief, and to the purpose. Pray
madam, do not leave the room for youl
own sake; as for you, young sir, / rom.
n,dnd you to remain?' .
What what does he meanr exclaimed
Mrs. Arbuthnot, bewilderingly, and at
the same time clasping her son-who
gazed on Dandy with kirded eyes, and
angry boyish de6ancc-tightly to her side
Did the mans strange words give form
and significance to some dark, shadowy
indistnct doubt that had previously
haunted her at times' judged so. The
rector appeared similarly confused and had
sunk nerveless and terrified upon a
Sofa
you guess dimly, see, what have
to say resumed Dandy with malignant
sneer. We'll, hear it, then, once for all,
and then, il you will, give me me up to
the officers. Some years ago. he contin-
ued, codly and steadiy--'some years
ago, wor an, a nurse, was placed in
charge of two infant children. both boys;
one of these was her own; the other was
the son Of rich, proud parents. The wo-
mans husband was gay, jolly fellow,
who preferrd spending money to earning
it, and just then it happened that he was
more than usually hard up. One after-
noon, on visiting his wife, who had re.
moved to distance, he found that the
rich mans child had sickened of the small
pox, and that there was no chance of its
recovery. A letter containing the sad
news was on a table, which he, the hus-
band, took the liberty to open and read
After some reflection, suggested by what
he had heard of the lady-mother's state
of mind, he copied the letter for the sake
of embodying in it certain suggestion
That letter was duly posted, and the
next day brought the rich man, almost in
ate of distraction; but his chief and
mastering terror was lest the mother o
the already dead infant should hear, in
her then precarious state, Of what had
happened. The tidings, he was sure
would kill her. Seeing this, the cunning
l.. n 4 r II - A l r