The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-21

"Umph! don't think any one in the State
would consider it worth while to ask the ques-
ton now"
al do not understand how his colossal for.
tune could have 30 sunken."
"Ah, we'll now I'll tell you his fortune was
not so colossal after all. To be sure, he owned
several thousand acres Of land but reflect that
nine-tenths of that was pine bsrrens and cypress
swamps producing nothing and costing consid-
cradle in taxes; and he owned several hundred
negroes; but remember that one-third of them
were old people, and one-thrd children, who
had to be supported out Of the labor of the 9TH
ers; and he owned this very magnificent seat of
Cashmere; but consider how much of his CAPT
tai was invested in the building, laying out and
adjoining of this house and grounds, and how
much in debt it left him, and you will come to
fairer conclusion in your estimate of your
uncle's fortune. And then this great CONNER
cial crash, that has ruined 30 many people, has
affected him deeply. He lost twenty-five tbous-
and dollars by the villainy.of Claxton & Co,
manufacturers and nearly as much more By
the failure of Fleece & Brother, importers, Liy-
erpool. And what was worse than all, he made
a desperate attempt to retrieve his fortunes by
speculation, and failed, with . stupendous loss
1t was like gamblers last stake, and he lost
it-and now he is ready to blowshis own brains
out Lord grant that your wife's fortune may
be safe, Mark, which doubt"
ooh certainly; have not the slightest mis-
giving of it. II was real estate, and could not
have been staked in any way you know
Mr.. Boiling shook his head
Unheedful of that wise gesture, Mr.. Suther-
land asked: "And how does my cousin India
bear this %
III don't know don't think she cares about
it. Mark, perhaps oughtnt to tell you but
don't think she cares for anything, or has
ever cared for anything since you and she
broke of, nearly seven years ago She never
cared cent for the man she married -
"Hush you must not say that!n
"But mil say it, because it's the solemn
truth. She never cared sous cent, marquee
for him, though he loved the very ground she
walked on. If ever you saw a man infatuated
with woman, st. Gerald was with India
his eyes followed her fondly wherever she
moved. Yes, a year after they were married,
| saw him slyly take up glove of hers and
pet it. and talk to it. and kiss it, and put it in
his bosom, as if it had been live tbfng-the
consummate idiot And the same day saw
him strike her down before him with blow!D
Mark Sutherland started to his feet, and
gazed wildly at the speaker who reiterated
Yes, did, | saw that with my eyesl"
aAnd stood by and permitted man to
strike woman"
al never interfere between man and wife.
Besides what business had she to deceive and
marry him, while she loved another-and to
meet his loving attentions with aversion and
loathing-and finally to be found sobbing hys
terically over lock of black hair, when his
was brown? No, If he had killed her ON the
spot, should have been sorry for--hi,a He
loved her truly and we'll. She loathed him.
| have seen her shudder all over, il he did but
press her hand, or stroke her dainty curls. He
felt her repulsion il drove him mad il drove
him to drink-to ruin--to that he is To sum
up all, Mark, as | said before, curse is on
the place and on the people they are all going
to the dogs who are not going to the ID
But now, tell me something about yourself.
You are Judge of the Court, hear?n
81 have that honorp
"Well, always said you'd turn out well
id if didn't! shall live to see YOU
Chief Justice of the Suprerss Court yet And
YOU. IN stick to you, Mark. don't care
what Clement Sutherland and the rest say.
m stick to you, my boy. Yen shall never
have it to say that your old uncle fell away
from Won. But now, tell me how is your little
wife, We'll, know, else You would not be
here, eh %
"Rosale is we'll, but not strong"
aNeyer was, poor little thing And how
are the little children, and how many Of them
is there, and are they girls or boys or both,
and what are their names!"
ave have no children
aWhat lost them all Well, poor little
things, they are better off,"
ave never had any children"
"Oh.h-h Whew-w-ww whistled Mr.. Boil
ling, rather Disconnected; then resuming, he
aid-"Wel neither have the Ashleys! That's
strange What the DIS that hubbub in
the dining-room Ugh It's the niggers toting
that animal up to bed He who seven years
ago was called the brightest rising star on the
political horizon! Now look at him That
Is midas work! What tremendous power
women have for evil"
"And for good 2" said Mark Sutherland,
as his thoughts few to his guardian angel,
Rosalie.
Wesried with his journey, and longing for
the solitude that would leave him free to reflect
upon all that he had just heard, Mark Suther-
land expressed wish to retire. Mr.. Boiling
rang for the night lamps, and they parted for
the night.
(To BE Continued