The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-28

proper name, even IN MS JnOughLD forgery
could be discovered and exposed So the
tempter persuaded him.
He had never trained his moral strength by
resisting slight temptations and now that the
temptation was very great he fell before it
Scarcely daring to think on what he was about
70 DO, he left the neighborhood of Cashmere
for two weeks, and on his return, laid before
his correspondent the usurer at c., a
power of attorney and deed Of mortgage
seemingly duly signed, witnessed, any attested
Upon these the requisite funds were borrowed,
embarked in the speculation, and lost
And now the dread day Of account had
come, and he sat overwhelmed crushed, I'M
able to fly afraid to go home, yet fitfully and
by turns impelled to each course. 1t was while
he sat there, by turns stupefed and distracted,
that the door was opened by waiter, who
announced
Judge Sutherland
And retired, as Marx walked in
Clement Sutherland started TO his feet pale
and wild looking, and gazed, without speak
ing at his nephew.
Sir, you are i'll !" exclaimed the latter,
anxiously, stepping up to him.
Muttering some inaudible words between
his white lips, the cd man sunk down, col
lapsed, into his chair. Mark hastily stepped
to the bel-rope to ring for wine. But the
guilty man. in the confusion Of his trouble,
misunderstood the intention, and stretching out
his trembling almost palsied arm, babe him
Stop, for Christ's sake +"
Mark returned with looks of interest.
IL did not mean Toto wrong her! God
knows did not p said the old man, in quiv
ering tone.
Wrong whom ?" added Mark, regarding
him with much surprise and anxiety "sir,
Dir, you are really i'll, and must summon some
assistance
"No, no you are mistaken. Bring no wit
nesses 1t s-it is---a family affair Now,
suppose you will have your revenge!" ex-
claimed Clement Sutherland with frightened
chattering smile
Without more ado, Mark fastened to the
door, with the purpose Of sending for a physl-
clan. But the old man sprang tottered after
him, and clasped him around staggered back,
exclaiming-" You shall not ~! have no wit
nesses. Ga you're lawyer! !"
Mark Sutherland disengaged himself, sat
his uncle down in a chair, and stood for mo-
ment undecided how to proceed-vague suspi.
ciOns crossing his mind for the first time as
he heard his wild words, and recolected MIR
Bolngs ominous doubts.
Yes, look exclaimed the distracted cul-
prit who had quite lost his selfpossession,
look. and consider what you will do 1t
will be a fine revenge, for old and new, to cast
the white, haired man into State prison. won't
1t? Now, hark ye! No dishonor can crush -
that will lot touch you remember that!'
Mark Sutherland went to q sideboard, pour
cd out glass of water, and brought it to his
uncle, who took it in his trembling hand and
qaaHed it Of, and returned the empty glass
all mechanically, and without a word of &C
acknowledgement Marx Sutherland put down
the glass, and then returned and took his seat
beside the guilty man, saying calmly, and with
some reserve
Now, sir, it were best for all parties con-
cerned, that you should put me in possession
Of the facts of this casen
And eliminate myself Ha that's a law.
yer's trick, to lead me into such n folly. But
Pm cool, Pm collected, I'm not going to do it,
Sir, you have already eliminated yourself"
Ha you wish to trap me into doing 80, so
that you can take your revenge. 1t would be
tremendous revenge, would it not ~
Sir, you know well that no such mean
spirit Of vengeance will influence my action in
TINS matter
ala well, it will be because it cannot
You can't prosecute me-you can't appear |
against me-because you can't disgrace me |
without diShonorng yourself 1t would not do,
you think, to have it said that Judge Suther-
lands uncle was felonD
And why should not Judge Sutherland's'
uncle, or Judge Anyone's uncle, be called d
ieon, if he is felon, as well rs the poorest
mans uncle alive! Is it because the former
has more power, more means, more friends,
fewer wants, fewer temptations, than the latter
think not No, sir family pride will no more
restrain my action, than revenge will impel it,
Family considerations, personal pride, never
has influenced my conduct, and never tOiH do
30. No sir; conform my life to a simpler,
purer, higher rule Of action. In every ques-
ton there is right and o wrong | obey the
right. Had brother or a son guilty Of fell
ony and IL became my duty to bear witness
against either | should do it, though my test.
mony consigned the culprit to death No, sir
II we refrain from prosecution, il will DO for
reason much hOlier than pride. 1t will be
IRON motive that would also actuate us in
sparing the veriest forsaken wretch alive!u
Clement Sutherland had sat with his elbows
on the table, and his head bowed in his hands
his gray hair dishevelled, and his thin withered |
features whitened and drawn in as by internal |
agony. But now he burst forth into a fit of |
Jury, as ungovernable az it was unreasonable |
and lmpotent Mark Sutherland stood quiet |
iy by and let his rage exhaust itself Then.
when the guilty man was calm from prostra
ton, his nephew spoke to him cooliy, wisely.
kindly-making him understand and feel that
his detection was inevitable unless he put him
IN possession OF all the facts to prepare him to
meet knowingly the exigences Of the case.
Ii was very difficult to influence the wretched |
man, who, having parted with his own faith |
was unable to rest on the good faith of any |
other. And it was only after arguing and |
persuadlng him all the afternoon and evening |
that late at night he won from the guilty man |
full account of the circumstances
"And now, what do you purpose to do
was his trembling question, when he had con.
iessed all
4" shall return homo tomorrow, and take
counsel with ROsalic'
Take counsel with herl2 exclaimed the
old man, in alarm.
BE Mt ease, sir. She has voice in this
matter. Nay, she hdS-it must bet is her
name that has been used-her property that
ID lost And II 1t were motif it were nv
own exclusive affair, still should consult her
before taxing any important step!n
Hhdf gW become If as of lndial NV
chIld! my child that your high head should
be bowed with shame y cried the wretched
man, in voice of anguish
Reassure yourself sir, beg. can an. |
fwer for Rosalie's noble heart You are safe |
from all punishment from her And now let
as part at once. You had better return to
Cashmere, where your family must be anxi-
ously awaiting YOU
"And where will you ttay?"
Tonight shall 90 on board the steamer
Victress which will leave for the Upper Mis-
sissippi tomorrow
Suddenly the old man lifted up his head,
and showed countenance frightened with
hope. Mr.. Sutherland stopped, to hear what
he had to say. He grasped the arm of his
nephew, exclaiming-