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

DOist among tnosc Wno hhc" hihi, b"'Ne -
/ credit.
"Mr. Selby," said he, F" l hardly expcc
, we can be friends but this is no reason w
|, should be enemies. We may berivals-hon
orable rivals. lfwcalth is on my side yos
have other advantages; but como let US din'
together. am anxious to hear the new
from abroad, and perhaps" he added, will
an attempt at a smile, "my home news may
be acceptable to you."
His manner was frank and open, and to say
the truth, Selby, was anxious to hear what
Christian could tell though rather through
another channel. He, however, declined the
invitation, as the coach would start in hall
an hour. The rebuff made Christian still
more anxious to keep his rival company. lie
was driven to desperation. Intense love OF
gain stirred him to find out the Others secret,
BY whatever meats attainable. Love of Ma
ry Morrison, or the desire for her wealth,
prompted him to the overthrow ofa rival
beloved by the lady, though not countenan-
ccd by her fathGr. Should, however, George
Selby become rich, her fathers objections
would vanish.
at is very fortunate | happened to be
here" muttered Christian to himself, as he
paced the hotel parlOr, after having engaged
seat in the same coach with Selby, his own
business in New Castle having been settled.
1t was not long till the stage horn sound
ed, and in ten minutes more George Selby
and Christian Wernwag were borne rapidly
away.
Selby, for several miles, remained silent ;
and here we may as well acquaint the reader
with his history. He had been confden-
tial clerk of Mr.. Morrison, a wealthy merch-
ant of Scotch extraction, but long resided in
the city of Penn, and indebted for most OF
.his wealth, to the wars of Europe. Selby
had gained his esteem, was admitted into his
private circle, and had won the affections OF
the merchants only daughter, though she
was closely bcsicged by the attentions of Mr..
Christian Wernwag. To Selby the latter
was no stranger, as they had often met on
business in the counting-house. Christians
fraction system on account, and his unwill-
ingncss to pay charges allowed by CONNER
cial usage, rendered him an unpleasant man
to dobusness with. Dislike, engendered by
these chickering's, changed, Of course, to ba'
tired when they became rivals. Christian
took occasion to inforni Mr.. Morrison of hi
clerks pretensions, when IN explanation fol.
lowed, ending in mutual declarations of love
and fidelity between the lovers, and in Sclby''
being sent, us assistant, to an old commercial
friend in Hamburg, to whom he was highly
recommended by Mr.. Morrison, who took
occasion to say to Sclby he might always
count on his friendship; that personally hc
had no objections to him as son-in-law ;
but without some corresponding advantage
of wealth, an alliance with his family was
impossible.
The fair lady vowed constancy to Selby,
so Chistian gained nothing by the removal
of his rival us her father, though anxious
to discourage an intimacy he deemed disad'
yantageous, was not, however, disposed to
control his daughters affections. True,
Christian grew daily more iavoritc with
him, inasmuch as he esteemed him wealthy
quiet, practical young merchant, though de-
fcieut, perhaps, in personal graces and
brightness of intellect.
I Affairs remained in this way for three
years or so,Iwhen Sclby appeared, as we have
narrated, on the deck of the Roger O., al
New Castle.
AS the coach sped on, Christian used every
artifcc to extract thcsccret Of George Sclby''
journey, but in vain. To entice him from
his reserve, Christian spoke of Mary Morri'
son, described her fathers country seat al
Hamilton village, the late ball there, al
which Mary was the belle, &C.; to all oI
which Sclby listened with interest, forget
ting, in the pleasure afforded by the recital
his dislike of the ingcncrous narrator.
1t was under the influence of this favorable
impression that he accepted Christians pro
poSll to take supper, and rest themselves fol
the night at Chester, (some fifteen or TWEEN
ty miles from the city, Tho coach went nj
? further; but the mail would be taken by
another in the the course of the evening.
At Chester, then, they stopped, and while
supper was preparing, Christian, (whos'
cogitations in regard to the unexpected cir
cumstanccs around him resulted in deter
mination to satisfy himself that very night,
took walk by himselfin the street. Fiv
hundred dollars for his passage he exclaim
ed to himself and in our vessel! Why di,
not somc of the English cruisers fall in will
her? The old sea dog, Captain Q. woul'
certainly have fought, and then we nigh
have got rid of this serpent, who comes t.
cause my misery. wonder does he know
: he is paying me a part Of his passage money!
E Unconsciously he stopped; but his eye wa
attracted by the glare Of an apothecary
: shop. "Ah," he thought, Z" have ke
4 here" lie saw the ruin of his hopes If Sc!
by succeeded; he should lose Mary, he eshoul
o lose her fathers wealth. Could he not oh
a tain the means in this shop to save them? ?
: True, the scheme was, perhaps, dangerous
n but then the risk was not great compare
with that Of losing the lady and her wealth
= So into the shop he went and purchased
a phial of laudanum.
: IL was, Of course, then, no surprise {
/ Christian to observe Selby, after supper
n (Which was followed by bottle of wine,
h grow drowsy, and fall fast asleep. Christia
. Al. -. 40. Stai ,