Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-28

their child. Months passed. but no claimants
appeared, and day by day, as the affections of
Mr.. and Mrs. Leighton wound themselves about
the child. they prayed that it might always re-
main as their own. They had no chlldrcn, and
no pains or expense was spared to make the lot
OF their protege happy one. Fifteen years
sped on rapid wing, and under the training of
judicious teachers, the child gave promise of
talents, which if rightly improved, would make
them still prouder of him upon whom their at
fections and wealth had been so freely bestowed.
Having finished the preparatory course of in
struction, he entered German University for
the purpose of completing mis- education. 1t
was there that met you, Mark, and need not
tell you that the protege of Mr.. Leighton was
myself. Perhaps it will sever the cord of
friendship which has so long existed between us,
when you learn of the mystery which surrounds
my parentage, but il"
Ono, no, Mat; you do me injustice by such
an insinuation. Have | ever given you reason
to think would slight friend for so trivial a
thing as this?"
" Trivial " exclaimed the Maniac starting
to his feet, his features working fearfully, and
the wild light cleaning once more in his eye.
Trivial! Mark Lincoln, it is not thus 1t is
the one thing which has made my life accursed
at times living hell, and death the friend
which would cut short my existence. Wait
| T how Gp; had wifi
me, would to God had died ere my mind had
expanded sufficiently to realize the care and
suffering which is around the path of man in
this life"
Do not always look upon the dark side of
life, Mat. am your friend, and you have no
no enemies here
The dark side of my life is all that greets
my vision, and men are my friends because |
am Mat Ward, the Maniac; and who, think
you, would be an enemy to one like me? 'Tis
pity, Mark, that makes them my friends-pity
because ----"
He paused and the tears gushed forth as the
realization of his condition came with full
though his own heart was suffering the most
Intense pain, as he witnessed the agony Of his
friend.
Pardon mo this weakness, Mark. 1t is years
since I have shed tear, for my heart has been
so parched with the memory of the wrong
have suffered, that thirst for revenge has wei
nigh dried up the fountain.
While ut the University, formed the ae
qua Asance Of aiady, who lived in ncighbor
ing town, belonging to one of the first familie
OF the country This, Mark, kept even from
you. ! cannot describe her. She was surpass
ingly bsautiful-the fairest woman / ever saw
| might be prejulieed, but in my eyes, Others
had not half the personal charms with whicl
she was endowed. But it was not this tina
drew me almost insensbly toward her, and mad
the hours spent in her company the happies
of my life. Twas the mind, the soul, whicl
was enshrined in such casket, that charme
me, and added tenfold to her personal charms
I he heart of an angel could be no purer thai
her own, and to those of mental birth her man
ner was such as to win their love.
You know as we'll as myself, the infdel view
entertained by the Professors in the University
and that nearly all the inhabitants of tn
town rejected an accountability to q Bein
niger than man. This to me Yas new. M
father and mother both being professors of re
ligion, was brought up to believe that all ou
aflictlons were from God, and would EVENTUAL
, work for our good. soon learned to imbil
the liberal views of the Professors, as you kne
| at the time, Mark and in year from the tirl
, of my entering upon my studies, | was q COZ
Il frmed nfdel. But my intercourse with he
r of whom have spoken, resulted in nv CONVEX
h sion to the belief first entertained. Since the
| have learned how false was such belief M
# whole life, from a period soon after this, h;
Q confirmed me in my doubts of the non-existen,
/. of Being to whom you ascribe the attribute
h of Justice, Mercy and Love, and SO prove th
t. He cannot err
n All, Mat" said Mark in a saddened tom
l, ' it grieves me to learn that amid your troubl
1t you cannot look to One above for aid
" A sneer broke over the features Of the Mania
Ill al will not stop now to argue with yo,
s Mark, but at another time | am confident tn
10 l can convince you of the fallacy of such
n. lief as you entertain.
~ Friendship soon ripened into warmer sen
ID meat, and at the close of my first term ! W
= engaged to the being whom loved--nay, We
Us shipped. Now, Marx, will relate the eau
50 of my sudden departure from my studies,
'" which have never returned, After vacati
~ spent at home, went as usual to call up
u Genevieve. A seryent came to the door, a
'' having sent up my card, he soon returned wi
ne the information that she did not wish to
"a me. knew not why such an answer was
s. turned, and going to my room, addressed
us note, requesting her reasons for refusing an
lal terview. An answer came which we'll nj
'rs made me wild. Itappeared that during
* absence she had formed the acquaintance OF
1T gentleman who had visited the place on bu
res ness. He gave his name as Legare, and broug
the letters of introduction from some of the m
cry distinguished men in London He possesse
md superior education, a polished address, and
sed well-calcuated to win the aft yctons of be
h SO pure and trustful asher to whom at the cl
he of my studies l was to be united. EIo
one palmed upon her crcdulty the story that
ing dissipated roue and had been sent to the I
Ct versity, that by removing the temptations fl
the my path which beset me Mt home might
time reform.
md | wrote to her, requesting an interview, t
to | might exculpate myself from the charges