The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-21
For the National Era
ICoPyRIeHT SECURED BY THE AurHoa.l
MARK SUTHERLAND:
OR,
POWER AND PRINCIPLE.
by EMMA D. x. N. soUrHwoRrH.
CHAP. XXu-Couti1llel

CHAP. XIII Continued.
Mark Sutherland wished to inquire after the
health and welfare of his mother with whom
he had made several attempts to open cor
respondence, but from whom he had not heard
for nearly four years but an undefnable re-
luctance withheld him from naming the SUBJ
ject to the degenerate and brutal man before
him. Mr.. Ashley ordered more wine, and
pressed it upon his companion but Mark
Sutherland, habitually abstemious, suffered his
glass to be filed once and then excused him
self; and Mr.. Ashley filed and quaffed glass
after glass, momentFily more and more gar
U ral9nss 2cssiYsK and a BIB sG fFaag nth
towards him, pinching her cheek and pulling
her ears with maudlin and loathsome freedom
while the poor girl, blushing with shame and
confusion, and weeping with grief and terror,
sought in vain to escape. Mark Sutherland,
deeply offended with the scene would gladly
have withdrawn, but that he felt his presence
to be some protection to the defenceless maid
he would gladly have nterfered for her succor,
but that he knew such interference, tar from
saving her. would hurry on her destruction
1t is hard to be wise and prudent when the
blood is boiling; and it is uncertain how long
he would have remained 30, had not bell
sounded in distant part of the house, ana
Oriole, taking advantage OF the circumstance,
exclaimed, II is my mistress" and made ner
escape. Mr.. Ashley poured out and quatfed
glass after glass Of wine, until his ranting
mood was merging into stupid one; and
Mark Sutherland seized the first opportunity
to rise and leave tho table and pass into the
drawing room.
That elegant drawing room which you may
recollect communicated with Miss Sutherland's
beautiful boudoir--how changed since he saw
it last! Desolation was creeping even into the
sanctuary of the house. He had scarcely time
to note this by the sickly light Of the moon
through the open shutters, when loud, IA
miliar voice in the hall arrested his attention
aWhere is he In the drawingroom And
40 light there Get candle, directly, you
scoundrel! and light me in there! shall
break my shins over these empty baskets and
upset stools-do you hear?o
And soon after entered sovenly man SER
want in ragged shirt and trowsers and bring
ing guttering tallow candle stuck in mil
dewed silver candIestick, which he sat upon
a dusty stained, and spotted marble pier table.
He was followed closely by Mr.. Billy Boiling,
who, with outstretched arms, and almost shout
ing his welcome, ran to Mark, and clasped
him around the body, exclaiming, sobbingiy.-.
"My ar--dear--der-bo-oy! Pm so glad
to see you And how are you And how did
You leave little wife? And when did you get
here And nobody TO welcome you, but that
brandy-swilling beast in there! - Begone
you black villain, you! Who gave you leave
TO stand there eavesdropping Ell THAT'S
field niger, Mark! Every decent house ser
want man and maid, that we had in the world
has fallen under the hammer long ago-ai
except Oriole, whom that fellow yondcr bought
in for his own purposes. All! Mark, times arr
changed, my boy, since you were here Helgh
no! 'Sie transit gloria mundi,'" said Mr.. Boil
ing. sinking into a threadbare velvet chair, aut
wiping his rosy face-as fat fair and rosy 81
| ever
a You are not changed, Uncle Billy, cxcep
| that you appear to be in even finer health thar
everb
"Mei Why Pm dying of modification ant
grief. am have got an organic disease o
the heart! Yes, Of the heart! The string In,
most strained the soonest snaps! He'gh-ho! :
@Why, declare Uncle Billy never in al
my life cav man in such perfect health. fo'
are fatter and roster than ever!"
HFatter and roster Lord help your per
spicasity! It's-it's---dropsy, and--and-teuer
That's what it is--this fat and rosy"
"Reassure yourself, Uncle Billy, and tell m
how it fares with all our friends.2
@All going to the dogs-all going TO tn
dogs--except them that arc going 70 the
dip
aNsy, Uncle Billy, ] hope not--any NOR
than you are going into consumption How
arc they all ct Silcntshadess How is my dea
mother %
aSilenhhsdes! Mother! Heigh! didn't yo'
know they had sold Silcntshades long ago, ant
moved to Texas ~ exclaimed Uncle Billy, viii
look Of unbounded establishment
IL knew nothing about it. This Is the firs
word have heard Of it! What on earth coul'
have tempted my mother TO sell her home ant
move away from ell her friends ~
"What could have tempted her - VIVA
could have tempted her?o repested unci'
Billy, mockingIy, shutting his eyes, pnchin!
his lips, and bobbing up his nose and chin, Will
petulsnce and contempt. "Whst could hav'
tempted her TO marry Docor Wells at hei
n o. IA wouor IF G.rf0 vwko~a a