Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-04-27
1flisfelloneous.
From Chambers Journal.
STORY OF A POLICEMAN.

From Chambers Journal.
STORY OF A POLICEMAN.
THE PARTNER.
| had virtually, though not formally, left the
force, when young man, of gentlemanly but
somewhat dssipated aspect, and looking very
pale and agitated, called upon me with a note
from one of the commissioners, enjoining me
to assist the bearer, Mr.. Edmund Webster, to
the utmost of my ability, if, upon examination,
saw reason to place reliance upon his state
ment relative to the painful and extraordinary
circumstances in which he was involved.
Mr.. Edmund Webster, exclaimed, after
glancing at the note. You are the person,
then, accused of robbing Mr.. Hutton, the corn
merchant, (the reader will of course understand
that make use of fictitious names,) and whom
that gentleman refuses to prosecuted
The same, Mr.. Waters. But although the
disgraceful charge, so far as regards legal
pursuit, appears to be withdrawn, or rather is
not pressed, l and my family shall not be the
less shamed and ruined thereby, unless my per-
feet innocence can be made manifest before the
world. 1t is with that view we have been ad-
vised to seek your assistance and my father
desires me to say, that he will hesitate at no
pense necessary for the thorough prosecution of
the inquiry
Very well, Mr.. Webster. The intimation
of the commissioner is, however, of itself all
potent with me, although I hoped to be con-
cerned in no more such Investigations. Have
the goodness, therefore, to sit down, and favor
me minutely and distinctly with your version of
the affair, emitting, if you please, no circum-
stance, however apparently trivial, in connection
with it, may tell you,' I added, opening the
notebook from which am now transcribng,
and placing it before me in readiness to begin
| may tell you, by way of some slight encour-
agement, that the defence you volunteered at
the police Office was, in my opinion, too improb-
able to be an invention; and l, as you know,
have had large experience in such matters
That also, suspect, is Mr.. Hutton's opinion ;
and hence not only his refusal to prosecute, but
the expense and trouble he has been at, to my
knowledge, in preventing either his own or your
name from appearing in the papers. Now, sir
if you please t.
Il shall relate every circumstance, Mr.. Wa,
tersa as clearly and truthfuly as possible, for my
own sake, in order that you may not be work
ing in the dark and first, must beg your at.
tention to one or two family matters, essential
to thorough appreciation of the position in
which am placed
60 on, sir it is my duty to hear all you
have to say
my father proceeded Mr.. Edmund Web.
ster who, as you are aware, resides in the Re
gents Park, retired about five years ago from
the business in Mark Lane, which has sine,
been carried on by the former junior partner
Mr.. Hutton. Till within the last six months
l believed myself destined for the army, tht
purchasc-money of a cornetcy having been lodg
cd at the Horse Guards few days afterI cam'
Of age. Suddenly, however, my father changet
his mind, insisted that / should become part
ner of Hutton's in the corn trade, and forth
with withdrew the money lodged for the com
mission. ] am not even yet cognizant of all hi
motives for this seeming caprice; but those h,
alleged were, first, my spendthrift, idle habits
an imputation for which, l confess, there wa
too much foundation; though as to whether tn
discipline of the counting g-house would, as h
believed, effect a beneficial change, there nigh
be two opinions. Another, and, have no doubt
much more powerfully inducing motive wit
him was, that had formed an attachment 70
: Miss Ellen Bramston, the second daughter Q
Q Captain Bramston, of the East India Company
p service, residing at Hampstead upon his hall
!, pay. My father strongly disapproved of tn
proposed alliance; like most of the successft
City men l have known or heard Of, he MOI
. heartily despises poverty with laced coat o
s its back than in rags; and he knew no MOI
effectual plan could be hit upon for frustratin
1t my wishes, than by transforming my expecte
y cornetcy into partnership in the corn trad'
IS my imaginary sword for a goose-quill; Capital
Is Bramston, who is dstantly related to an ear
/, being even prouder than he is poor, and ma
that would rather see his daughter in her coff
II than married to trader. 1t was condescel
70 sion enough he angrily remarked, that
,r lind permitted Ellen Bramston to encourage Il
a. addresses of the son Of a city parvenu, but
it was utterly prepostereus to suppose she cou
v wed an actual corn-chandler.'