Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-09-13
EVENING STAR
BARNETT, THE MIsER.

age, but, though his hair was somewha,
sprlnkled with gray, and his form was some.
what bowed, he had the energy of a younger
man, and frame that seemed Of iron Hi.
brow was lofty and gave an air of intellect,
but the hard lines of his face and compressed
lips bespoke craft.
His dwelling was an old mansion which had
seen better days; secluded on all sides from
public gaze, its gloomy courts, and still gloo-
mier chambers accorded we'll with the charac-
ter OF the occupant, whilst the iron. bonn a
shutters testified to the care he had taken to
secure the treasure he was said to have
amassed. For Barnett was reputed to be rich
despite his eloquence on 90 hard times, - ssdear
food, T" losses in business He seemed to
be chanting perpetual dirge in honor of pow
erty, bus the world never believes a man
while he pleads her, unless he wears her liy-
cry unmistakably. Otherwise it shakes its
head and smiles skeptically: but then IL
treads him under, and passes on its way
Thus Barnett had got the reputation of being
rich, and he certainly deserved it. There
were many in that town who could have told
OF bankruptcies be had hurried on, widows he
mad plundered, and orphans he had stripped
OF all-leSally, of course, (for "respect.bility'
respects law,) but forgetful Of higher com
mand than any man-made statute, from the
great Law Giver OF all
Secure in this legality, and buoyant in the
recollection Of the riches ii had gained him.
Barnett sat, on the evening that my tale com
menees, taking his solitary supper of porridge
the had achieved bargain and INDUCED ac-
cordingly j dead silence reigned in the
streets, for the populace had deserted them
for great meeting outside the town, to give
expression to the discontent then prevalent
among the working classes
A hasty step was heard upon the stairs
The miser clutched his pistols and listened all
his might. Soon young man stood within
the room; still handsome, but worn with de-
bauchery and want, an unsettled CLEAN In
his dark eyes, and visible agitation in his
frame.
Father
"Sonn'
After fifteen years of separation their whole
greeting was comprised in this,
The word fell cOldly on the young mans
heart, and he paused as if 20 nerve himself to
proceed, but words came not, and he stood ir-
resolute.
Well chOked the parent, Z" what brings
you here ,''
The son took courage Affection would have
brought him TO his knees. Hsrshness hard
ened him the more.
"I have come said he, :. to seek employ
ment. was starving where 1 was, and now
appeal to you. l ask DO charity, and plead
no tie that your hesrt owns not. !"
You art right" was the hard response.
=: Ingratitude washes out innunerable debts. -
"lngratitude 20 faltered the son.
"Yes, iDgratitude; did not educate and
re ar you? did l not love you once2 and did
you not betray my love, squander my sub
stance, and now you come to burthen me !''
" No, not burthen; 1 sought pleasure too
eagerly, and have wasted the means you gave
l have been self-wiIicd. but have been pur-
ished. Years have passed over me- and have
RrnU in Ir-s, ~..r,
criminals, and when I had most need Of coin
fort, my wife and child laid low, starved
Father, starved. sat and saw them, as day
by day their flesh wasted, and their voices
grew weak, and could not help them, could
only share their want; ny soul thirsteth but
for one word of kindness. j"
(Which you shall never have" thundered
the Old man; "helr Of my name, but traitor
to my hearth, end in the folly which you have
begun. You have done without me for fifteen
years; good L viii do without you for life
go, and may my heaviest-go, ere 1 curse
yOu-goH' with the bitter earnestness words
cannot express, the miser Kissed out these
words, and drawing his wrapper more closely
round his form, staiked sterIly and haughtily
out Of the room.
His son sat for some minutes with his face
hidden in his hands. Then heaving a deep
Sigh that sounded of despair, he staggered
forth into the silent streets. Thus they parted,
ana the last words they were destined to eX-
change were words of bitterness and strife
Oh, evil hour! On, terrible truth truth be
could not evade. OF all its accusers, con-
science was the worst. Brought up BIZ his
father, even then stern and inhexible, he be-
came acquainted with set of - choice spir-
it" that haunted the corner Of the streets,
scribbled profane language upon the walls,
and and shouted ii to the passers by; spirits
who lived in a perpetual atmosphere CT smoke,
and did their little best to appear like spirits
from below. Ali this was in secret Thus hy-
pocrisy was added to guilt AT length his ex-
cesses rsn him into debt, and his creditors at
tackled his father, who, furious at his sons
delinquencies, forbade him to see him more
lie was then forced to seek precsIious exist
cnee in neighbOring town There he mar
rled, and brought upon himself increased bur-
dens. But tell and penury did the work of
time; premcture age crept upoR hiIn. Bereft
OF home and family, he threw himself upon
mercy that never existed, upon an affection
taat never was, 1t had ended in tbs
And return We to the miser. What words
can paint the struggle within his breast? A
last faint spark of natural feeling stroye with
the mist Of selfshness. The hope OF having
one to care for him amongst the thousands
that cursed his name tempted him TO forgive
The hate he had cherished for so long strove
as furiously.
pUudenly were heard along the passage
steps and voices, 'Who lives in this dismal
house ?" said one. s'The miser," replied
another, and they passed away. A black
scOwl gathered over his face, his better feel
ings were blotted out forever in the storm of
hate these words called up. He "had taken
10 himself seven other devils worse than the
first.' ..-r..-
While thus he sat full Of evil thoughts, the
townspeople, excited by want and hl-advice,
were in open riot, and their hoarse cries went
up to heaven, mingled with the smoke Of the
building they had fired. In their midst a man
of middle age was the most eager in urging
them on. Some said he was a government
spy, some a starving weaver, and others some
hend in human shape, SO impervious to dan
ger did he seem. Few could have recognised
In his matted locks and smoke-stained linea-
ments the miser's son, who seemed to seek
refuge from his misery in extraordinary exer-
tions.
A great flame, shooting high into the ar,
and from its eievating position illuminating
the country round about, told that the castle
was attacked. The miser started at the glare,
hGstened out, and beheld the devouring ele-
ment as il swiftly darted up the noble pile,
4 :. 4 I