Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-04-27
APRIL 81, 1854.

either Mr.. Hutton or his son know of your ap.
plication to Mr.. Curtisp
Il cannot say that either of them did, though
it is more than probable thrt mentioned it to
both of them
! We'll, Mr.. Webster, have confidence in your
veracity; but it is essential that should see
your father before engaging in this business
He is s'anxious you should do so, and as early
as possible aa
1t was then arranged that should call upon
Webster. senior, at three clock the same after
noons,and announce myself to the servants as
Mr.. Thompson. was punctual to the time
appointed, and was forthwith ushered by one
of the daughters into her fathers presence. He
was not yet sufficiently recovered to leave his
bed and had hardly exchanged half dozen
sentences with him, when the same young lady
by whom had been introduced, hastily return
ed to say Mr. Hutton was below, and requested
an immedtnee interview. M. w osstor. i,n.ie
his daughter tell Mr.. Hutton he was engaged
and could not be interrupted and she was turn
ing away to do so, when | said hastily Ex-
cuse me, Mr. Webster, but should exceedingly
like to hear, with my own ears, what Mr.. Hut
ton has to say, unobserved by him.
You may do so with all my heart, he re-
piled: but how shall we manage to conceal
youp
Easily enough under the bed; and suiting
the action to the word, was in u moment out
of sight. Miss Webster was then told to ask
Mr.. Hutton to walk up, and in a few minutes
that worthy gentleman entered the room. AT
ter few hypocritical condolences upon the in
valid's state of health, Mr.. Hutton came to the
point at once, and with vengeance.
Il am come, Mr.. Webster he began, in a
determined tone, to say that will endure this
shilly-shallying no longer. Either give up the
bonds you hold of mine, for borrowed moneys
Eleven thousand pounds and upwards!
groaned the sick man.
About that sum, am aware, including in
terest in discharge of which load of debt was,
you know, to have given third share of my
business to your admirable son. Well, agree at
once to cancel those bonds, or forthwith pros
ccute your son, who will as certainly be convic-
ted, and transported for life.
Il tell you again retorted the excited inva-
lid, that will not purchase mere forbearance
to prosecute at the cost of single shilling. The
accusation would always be hanging over his
head, and we should remain forever disgraced,
as we are now, in the eyes of the world
Il have turned that over in my mind, replied
Hutton, and think | can meet your wishes
Undertake to cancel the debt owe you, and l
will wait publicly tomorrow upon the magls-
trats with letter in my hand purporting to be
from my son, and stating that it was he who
took the notes from my desk, and employed a
man Of the name of Brown to exchange them
for your son acceptance, he being anxious that
Mr.. Edmund Webster should not become his
fathers partner; purpose that would necessa-
rily be frustrated if he, Edmund Webster was
enabled to marry and leave his country.
There was no answer to this audacious pro-
posal for a minute or two, and then Mr.. Web
ster said slowly That my son is innocent, |
am thoroughly convinced
Innocent exclaimed Mr.. Hutton, with
savage derision. Have you taken leave of your
sensesl'
Still, continued the Invalid, unmindful of
the interruption, ''it might be impossible to
prove him So and your proposition has Ger
tain plausibility about it. l must, however,
have time to consider of it,.
Certainly; let us say till this day week.
You cannot choose but comply; for if you do
not, as certainly as I stand here living man
your son shall, Immediately after the expiration
of that time, be on the high road to the hulks.
Having said this, Mr.. Hutton went away and
l emerged from my very undignifed lurking
place.
'Ibegin to see little clearer through this
black affair." I said in reply to the old gentle
mans questioning look 'and l trust we may
yet be able to turn the tables upon the very
confident gentleman who has just left us. Now
if you please, added, addressing Miss Webster
who had again returned, shall be glad of a
few moments conversation with your brother. u
She led the way down stairs, and found Mr.
Edmund Webster in the dning-room. Have
the kindness, | said, ito let me see the hat Mr.
Brown left behind at the tavern in exchange for
yours The young man seemed surprised al
the apparent oddness of the request, but imme
diately complied with it. And pray, wha
maker or sellers name was pasted inside thu
crown of your hat Mr.. Webster!
Lewis, of Bond street. he replied: Il al
ways purchase my hats there ....
Very good. Andnow as to Mr.. Brown
personal appearance. What is he at all like
"A stoutish middle-aged man, with very ligh
hair, prominent nose, and a pale face, considera
bly, pock-marked.'
THAT will do for the present, Mr. Webster
and let me beg that, till you see me again, no
soul receives hint that We are moving in thi
business.
I then left the house. The hat had furnishe
an important piece of information, the printe
label inside being, " Perkins, Guilford, Surrey;
and at the Rose and Crown Inn, Guilford, SUI
rev. alighted the very next day at about tw
o'clock, in the strong hope Of meeting in ii
, steep streets or adjacent lanes with stoutis
gentleman, distinguished by very light hair,
long nose, and white, pock-marked face. Th
chance was, at all events, worth trial and
very diligently set to work to realize it, b
: walking about from dawn till dark, peering
every head passed, and spending the evening
, in the most frequented parlors of the tow
| Many a bootless chase was led by distar
3 glimpse of light or red hair; and one fello
G l-.IL :. .andu noI and a nair of the longes