Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-10-10

pam lat StlI-dUpTONdl was nO lilt PHEASANT Sldtc
Of mind in which he was indulging. The vail
OF momentary angry excitement was removed,
and now, plainly before the eyes of his mind,
stood his humble and distressed debtor, toward
whom not a single impulse of kind feeling had
stirred. lie tried to find a refuge from selfup-
bradings in tie fact that he had done all his
debtor asked-thc mole was Withdrawn.
~ es,' said voice within him you have
cast bone with curses, into the face OF beg
gar!'
Mr.. Bancroft started up hurredly from his
desk walked the length Of his store, returned,
and sat down again A long. deep sigh parted
his lip.
"What could have possessed me that | so far
forgot both duty and kinlnessl / would give
twice seven hundred dollars 10 recal this act,
were it possible to do so.
Drawing sheet of paper before him, Mr..
Bancroft took up pen and wrote
"MR. EDWARD Cartwright
Ny Dear Sir II have Withdrawn your note
Forgive my rough unkindneSs. | was worried
about money matters, and hal just made up my
own bank accounts. We are not always proof
against petty annoyances. They sometimes dis
iurb more than larger things Come in to-mor-
row, and we will arrange for a renewal Of the
note, if you desire it, making the time to suit
yourself"
Mr.. Bancroft signed this apologize letter, and
dispatched it forthwith He felt more comfort
able after that. Still he suffered some pain for
having given pain, and no little humiliation for
the unamia ble weakness he had manifested.
did you see Mr.. Cartwright !" he inquired
of the boy who had taken the note.
mo, sir; he wasn't there" was answered.
"You left my note p
"Yes, sir" The boy looked agitated. He
stood moment, as if waiting for further ques-
tions. and then said
They were just driving him away in a car
riage 2"
"What?" Mr.. Bancroft turned pale.
They said he mad broken a blood-vessel
Mr.. Bancroft started to his feet with an ex-
clamatlon of mingled surprise and pain
- here was blood on the floor
Mr.. Bancroft groaned aloud After reflect
ing for moment, he took up his hat and went
out hurriedly. A walk of five minutes brought
him TO the store of Mr.. Cartwright.
"What was the cause of thsl" he asked of
one of the clerks "Did he fall or has he been
lifting anyihingi"
NO. was answered "Ile was sitting at his
desk. resting his head upon his hands, when
heard him call, in quick voice, and turning
round saw the blood flowing from his mouth "
"Had anything disturbed him ?" asked Mr.
Bancroft
money has been hard to get, during the past
week, the clerk answered, land AIR Cartwright s
payments were unusually large. There Is one
note not lifted yet, and it is few minutes OF
three o'clock" The clerk pointed to bank
notice lying on Mr. Cartwrghts desk
MIR Bancroft leaned over, and saw that it was
notice of the note due TO him.
stThat is ,pith1ra ,yn rr,,, 3D. h, 10
81 am glad to hear it," replied the clerk II
think it was your note that did the harm. He
had taken up the others and went out two hours
ago, after having been all the morning on the
street To try aud get the sum required to lt this
one but he tailed: and the consequences were
more than he had strength TO look at calmly
He is a Just man, and a kind-hearted man, Mr.
Bancroft We who live with him can bear that
testimony"
MIR Bancroft stood nearly motionless for a long
time
"Where does Mr. Cartwright live ?" he enqur-
ed al length.
AT number -, Fifteenth Street"
To the dwelling of Mr. Cartwright he went in
all haste. He found everything there to con-
firm his worst apprehensions The hemorrhage
had been very profuse Already so la-ge a
quantity OF blood had been lost, that the sick man
was reduced to a state of insensblity, and still
the bleeding continued. The family were, of
course, in the deepest distress. lie saw Mrs.
Cartwright for moment and in that moment
the impression OF her white, griefstricken face
was transferred 10 page in memorys book that
no after event could dim or obiilerac A beau
iiful daughter, just on the verge of womanhood
gided past him once and her face of terror re.
manned 10 haunt him for life. He saw the ply
slcian, and his enquiries received no hopeful an
swer.
When Mr. Bancroft left the house of sorrow
he went forth almost stealihily, and with feel.
ing of guilt in his heart.
"My work my work !" a voice within him
kept repeating; and do what he would, he found
it impossible to silence the accusing spirit.
81 can never forgive myself if he should die =
said Mr. Bancroft to himself "Oh what evil
is sometimes wrought by passion in an unguard-
ed moment. Why did not think before speak
ing?"
Alas the dreaded evil came Mr. Bancroft
was at his store an hour earlier than usual on the
next morning.
"Have you heard from Mr. Cartwright?" he
enquired anxiously of clerk.
"Yes, SIR
"IIow is he p
"Dead r'
"Dead! !" Mr. Bancroft stepped back pace
or two, as if a strong hand were bearing against
him.
"Yes, SIR He died at o'clock last evening
so the paper says"
Mr. Bancroft sighed heavily, and then walked
back to his desk, sat down, and remained in
troubled thought for long time. There was
only single aspect to the case that gave him
any relief, and this was the probable ignoranc,
of every one but himself of the immediate cause
of Mr. Cartwrght's death. He had not, it wa:
| presumed, mentioned the unfeeling repulse whicl
he had received, when, al the eleventh hour, anc
as a last resort, he had confidently expected, no
only kind consideration, but prompt relief; an,
so the secret had died with him.
Mr. Bancroft did not visit the house of mourn,
ing. He could not look upod the distress whicl
his own conscience had charged him with org-
mating; but his heart was yeiled with gloomy
shadows.
There was no one to represent MIR Cartwright
in his business, which had to be closed. An ac
tive, hard-working merchant, he had succeeded
through many disadvantages, in establishing
trade that, prosecuted with industry for fey
years, woud have given his family moderate
fortune. But he was stricken down at an in
auspcions moment Serious losses occurred il
the settlement of his affairs, and when all hi
debts were finally paid, there was nothing owe
for his family.
ID. Al l.. D..