The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1853-02-26
tut IHe CeCI " ~
A Reveric OfReVenge.

Seated among half a dozen rough looking
fellows around the fire in an obscure country
tavern, perceived as entered, man whose
dress Indicated station in life superior to his
comrades. After finding what accommodate ions
were TO be got, drew chair beside him. in
tending TO while away an hour in conversation
before retired. There was something in his
manner-in the first words he ultered-which
fixed my attention. He was evidently stranc-
er, though from being addressed once or twice
by some OF the company, | supposed he had
been there day or so. | soon discovered his
mind was ill at ease. Indeed it was plainly
perceptible in the fixed expression of his face
Alter talking sometime, most of the persons
went out leaving the room in possession of the
bartender, Supplied sot, and US. | found
such charms in his conversation that it was not
TIL the bar-keeper had ordered out the loafer
and asked If we would retire, that thought
about leaving. Taking upa light went TO my
room. soon heard the NOISE o! some one enter
ing an adjoining apartment, and supposed il TO
be my friend OF the bar. room. Hour after honr
passed away in Sort OF doZe, out OF which
walked sufficiently 10 notice a continual football
IN the next chamber. The mans discourse, his
evident wretchedness. had so interested and ex
cited me that could not sleep. And thinking
perhaps my presence would soothe him threw
on some clothes and tapped gently at his door,
Judge oil my astonlshment on entering, which
did at his invitation, TO find him, half s,rpp-
ed, with his eyes blood-shot and his face gath
cred in the most horrid expression. half re-
pented my rash generosity, but in q kind voice
told him, too, was restless and in search of
companion, and if he would allow me the
pleasure we would spend the night together.
His face in IL moment lost something of its
| =, ,:,lz
an involuntary shudder. He began to talk but
this time wild and disorjered and vehement,
still striding the floor. have seldom listened
10 IL more brilliant lulker. His widncss was
like the whirIwind's-his irrcgularlty like the
lightning sand his vehemcnce was like thunder
4! last he paused and fixing his eyes on me
with u Iaost painful glare, he exclaimed: s'sr
will tell you what troubles me. | am but
twenty-you thought was older. In beauti-
lul town, no matter where, | studied law-mv
father was poor, but he loved me and worked
hard to give me profession. ! was his only
son-hc thought | possessed talent, and was
proud of me. Perhaps did not love him as
ought did not study. | suffered myself to
idle much OF my time with women. The two
years OF my noviciale eXpired-I was admitted
10 the bar. Not with much honor, for | was
but slightly read in the vain truths Of the law.
opened an office in tina. town. A year passed,
and without practice and without friends sud-
denly became conscious ofmy unpleasant stu-
alton. Well sir, resolved to fulfil the desire
ofmy fathers heart. applied myselcto bust
ness. began 10 gain some little favor. tell
you, stranger. | am van-I am wild and specu-
lalive-I may die in poor hovel with no friend
10 close my eyes. But sir" and smile as sweet
and pleasant as ever behed hung round his
nj ho pipl teI- heor "a
proud''-then changing his tone and rene wing
the startling emphasis which rung solemnly
through the room, crashing hislee and stamp
| ing fmriousy, he almost shreked: "He who
was the recipient of all the ministration Of a
zealous advocacy-He, sir, who became large
ly indebted TO me-he, the trucking coward, ,
the cringIng, brainless dolt-the poor trickster
The semblance of a proper man--he tram
pied under foot these obligations and presum-
ing on my poverty and his importance, fright
ened into compliance with his mean designs
his dupes, and wronged me-"
cannot pretend to convey either his words
or the tone in which he spoke this much but
oh, entirely inexpensive is description OF the
manner in which he added what follows. His
voice was low, but in quick, maniac utlerance,
fast as the ear could follow the words, rolled
out this curious conclusion. "I'll wait for him
along the path oflile--from youth 10 manhood
from manhood 10 old age-and, sir I'D dabble
my hands in his blood, # my blow but FASTENED
death one single gasp. Pll make no Intellectual
eilort--Ill wait, and watch, till assured OF sue
cess, even if have to wait till he is stricken
On his deathbed. Above the whisperlngs Of his
conscience--more terrible Than the ticking OF
the death-watch at midnight, Pll snatch open
his glazing eyes and tell him, am there. And,
ar INC fie nj. he finds hpyond the cravc . y. ~
mulc certain Of their prey"