Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1855-03-15
THE BROKEN BANKER.
A Domestic Tale.
BY GEORGE P. BURNHANI,

sWho is it father?' asked the blooming and
sprightly daughter of Mr.. BrIntnal, the rich
banker, one evening, as they sat in the splen-
did parlor Of her parent, wv HON did you
alude to, thus sharply" she repeated; for,
as she entered the room, Mr.. b, had just re-
marked, that he didn't fancy such people,
aud the man was an easy dispositloned rogue,
he had no doubt
Nobody that you know, Cally, trust,
replied her parent, afectlonateIy
i think | heard you mention his name,
though
'Meadows" qOeried her father.
80 thought, father, and should be sorry
to feel that any member Of the Meadows
family should merit such an appelaton as |
! heard you mention just now,
The parent said notblng more Tor the mo-
ment, and the subject passed by, but was not
forgotten by the banker. CaIy did know
young Meadows, thoogh; and she had COLI
ceived fancy for him, though she had met
him but recently He had lately returned
from an India voyage, whittier he had been
sent by his parents, a year before, 10 keep
him out of mischief at home.
William Meadows-the sub ject ofthe above
spicy remark was a reckless aud dissolute
youth, bred in the fashionable world, and al
twenty-one was nearly ripe! Within few
weeks, lie had re-appeared in society, after
O years absence, and was the same dashing,
accomplished, but dangerous gallant that he
had ever BEEN his Journey abroad having
only had the effect of whetting anew his dis
position for the enjoymeuts Of high life, that
he had for years been the votary of
Soon after his arrival from Canton, he met
Miss Caroline BrintnaIl, the fair daughter of
the wealthy banker; but her father was not
aware that she had seen him. He became
enamored Of her, and at once paid court to
her, while she condesceSded to permit his
attentions, for she really conceived him TO be
u very entertaining and agreeable gentleman.
When she overheard her fathers remark,
she was good deal astonished, as we'll as
greatly grieved, for she believed first, that
her parent must be grossly deceived, while,
at the same tine, she did not hesitate to
acknowledge to herself that she had never
yet met the man whom she thought she could
more wortbiIy love.
The encouragement which she gave TO
yuung Meadows was fatal 10 the hopes oil her
father. The young man came Of good
family, his parents were worthy and rich, and
the boy was tolerated in society, where
'Caly,' (as her father affectionately called
her. came continually in. contact with him.
He lost no time and no opportunity in paying
his deOoirs to her, and in her simplicity and
honesty Of heart she came at last to love him
dcvotedly. She was charmed with his fiat
terry and his polished manners, and never
dreamed, in her wild and first affection, that
he was detained, when she casually heard OF
his laisons, and his dssolute habits. To her
hewas always the same geDtemany deceiver,
and in her presence he offered no show of
improperly in his conduct TO alarm or unde-
ceive her expectations and her good opinion
Of him.
Finally, Mr. " illiam Meadows ventured
to call at her fathers residence. Caroline
chnnced to be absent from home that evening,
q circumstance with which he was unac-
quainted, but which served the purpose o.
confirming the young nan in his previously