The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-01-25


tent of his capital, in order to meet the heav!
demand on the American market, which tn
expected treaty would create-the profits t'
be shared between him and Mr.. Selby, who
had eagcrly undertaken to be the bearer o.
the news, even at the risk of capture.
"Ycs," said Christian, as he replaced the
letter, "NIary Morrison is the cause OF this
undertaking, as she has been the cause OF my
being engaged in this dirty work; but IS II
not all fair? Twas her suitor before Seiby
ever dared address her, he would cut me out
but it's all right, now."
1t is ssaidby the Great Bard, that "yault-
ing ambition oft DER leaps ITSELF" and in
this example he is sustained; for Selby, on
agreeing to the proposal of Christian to
stay over night, thought proper to place in
the hands of the driver Of the ncxtt coach, a
duplicate copy of the letter which Christian
read, to be handed to Mr.. Morrison on the
arrival of the coach that night. The man
to leave word that Sclby would arrive next
day. Two Spanish dollars, with the promise
of more for the faithful delivery Of the letter
had sealed his lips, and secured his conf
dence.
The next morning found Selby very un-
well, and . physician was called, who saw
at once the cause of his illness. Administer
ing mustard emetic, and advising his pa
tient to rise from his bed as soon rs II should
operate, the doctor took his leave. Selby,
however, who now clearly suspected the vii
lainy of his rival, resolved to keep his bed
for such length Of time as would defeat,
perhaps, the whole design. The driver who
carried his letter would return at noon, and
Selby requested Christian to remain with him
until the evening, when he should no doubt
be able to proceed with him to tho city. To
this the latter consented at once; but as
time would thereby be loct, he wrote by a
special messenger, who would reach Phila-
delphia by two or three o'clock in the after
noon, Instructions to his chief clerk, similar
to those in Selby's letter. His orders were
pcrcmptory, and left the. clerk no time to
hesitate.
On the return of the coach-driver from
Philadelphia, he informed Selby of the pune
tual delivery Of his letters to Mr.. Morrison,
within three hours of his departure from
Chester. Two more Spanish dollars concu-
ded the business, and Selby made prepare
tions to proceed by the coach in the evening.
No suspicion having entered the mind Of
Christian that all was not right, he was rea-
dy at the proper time, and by seven o'clock,
p. NJ, the coach, with both gentlemen, was
on its way.
Mr.. Morrison, on receipt of his friends
letter, was very much surprised. Hcretired
to his chamber to consider the first course to
be pursued in the morning and made memo
randa of all he should purchase. No one
else was the wiser of the contents of that
letter, until he was no longer to be affected
by it; at least 50 he thought.
The next morning Mr.. Morrison made his
purchase, and by IL o'clock, noon, they
were all, as a measure of safety, stored under
Custom House lock. 1t was then that the
merchant made known so much of the letter
as related to the expected treaty of Peace,
and Immediately all merchandise for export
rose hundred per cent.
The letter of Christian to his clerk, was
received about 6 O'Clock that evening, and as
no choice remained between disobediencc and
a compliance with his employers instruc.
tions, the clerk acted fully up to them, in
rcccipting for such quantity of goods. as
at the advanced prices involved nearly the
whole of his employers capital.
The old State House clock struck ten
when the two rivals alightcd from the coach
-Sclby proceeding to the house of Mr.. Nor
rison, and Christian to that of his clerk, who
after informing him Of the receipt of his let
ter, and his purchases on its faith, was dc
sirous to know thcground he acted on. "Nly
grounds" said he, are these: "Peacc is al
ready agreed upon at Ghcnt.
+" Good heavens sir exclaimed the clerk
"this is had business Mr.. Morrison rcceiv
ed the news yesterday morning, and boush
on the strength of it, a hundred Thousand
dollars worth before he made it Known
Prices went up a hundred per cent, the mo
mcnt the news bec,,mc public"
Christian was stupifed; his knees shool
beneath him. The result was that he wa
rendered almost bankrupt; the disastcrprey
ed upon his spirits to such degree that h
fell sick, and soon afterleft the city, withou
even taking leave of Mr.. Morrison or hi
daughter, neither of whom he dared to en-
counter.
1t was early in the spring when the oiscia
news of peace arrived; and, as the joy-bell
pealcd long and loud, Mr.. Morrison's bril-
Globe was taking in her lading for Hamburg
George Sclby was to 50 supercargo, but whe'
the period Of departure arrived, he couldno
tear himsclfaway from Mary Morrison. IL
explained the state of his affections to he
father, who assured him, il she were willing
he might have Mary for a partner for life
and Mr.. Morrison for a partner in business
Miss Morrison became Mrs. Selby; while tn
fate Christian Wernwag was spoken of
signal warning to all, that " HoNrsrr Is I'll
BEsr Policy"
A Nlour's LopcNcs UNDER SyownANx
Sheppard other rquadrupeds have been know
to live for considerable time under snow
banks, but since the travels Of Munchauscn
probably no event has taken place like on
which occurred in this city during the lat