Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-07-30
CHAPTER XII.

Dut certain IL Is, tnat Jnere is scarcely a
neighborhood, or association that does not
embrace within its circle character more
or less like that of Joseph Estelle, who
has already been introduced to the reader,
and of Mrs Meddler, who is now intro
duced for the first time. Such characters
may be essential to healthy condition of
our social relations, as distractions in the
channel of river may tend to purify its
waters by producing commotion, and a
change in the relative position of its par
ticles. But however true this may be of
the current of social life, the individual
, sufferer derives but little consolation from
being told that great aggregate good may
result from the same cause to which he
owes his msfortunes.
No one but the philosopher, who sees
in every occurrence the fulfilment of posi-
tive law, is prepared to pursue the seven
tenor of his way" unruffied by the seem
ingly discordant elements-whether moral
or physical-which, to the unenlightened,
seem to produce only unmixed evil and
few are prepared to admit that the ills of
which they complain are, most usually,
the effects of their departure from those
laws. But we are straying from the path
:. of our narrative, and entering upon an
enquiry well calculated to enlarge charity
for our mutual faults and vices, yet too ca
silly construed, by the careless reader, into
an encouragement of wrong doing, In
stead, therefore, of analyzing the causes
that led to the formation of the vicious
characters of the parties just named, it
will suffice the reader to know that they
were vicious, and could not have been 9th
erwise without the substitution of widely
different motives of action-motives orig
h mating either in honest conviction of err
ror, or fear of punishment.
Mr.. Estelle hated Mr.. Berne and Helen
not because they had wronged him, but
because he knew that he was contempla-
ting wrong to Jane Estelle, whom they
loved and were resolved to protect, Mrs.
Meddler hated them, too because they were
her superiors, and because she knew they
had cause for the contempt with which
they had treated her. United by common
hatred as well as by common proneness
to evil, it is not to be wondered at, that
they heartily co-operated in the further
ance of common purpose-the injury of
those they hated. Mr. Estelle was the
contriver, and Mrs. Meddler the tool. She
was shrewd, persevering, unscrupulous
and unblushing admirable spy and
skillful wearer of two faces. Having re-
ceived her instructions, she tracked her
prey like blood hound, and might have
been found. at almost any hour, keenly
watching Helen or Mr., Lee, or both at
once, and yet so cautiously as to escape
the observation of even the parties them
selves. When Helen withdrew to the re-
tired spot, the scene of the interview related
2 in the last chapter, Mrs, Meddler was near
and witnessed that interview; and scarce
ly had Helen entered her apartment when
E Mr. Estelle was in possession Of all that
had passed between herself and Mr.. Lee.
These hints will suffice to show the char
acter and designs of these co-workers of
iniquity.
In few minutes after Helen left him,
Mr.. Lee was on horseback, for the twofold
objects of exercise and undisturbed relec-
ton. He continued his ride but short
! time, when he heard some one say
GA delightful morning. Mr.. Lee, for a
, solitary excursion p
: He turned his head and saw by his side,
Joseph Estclle. The meeting was espe-
cially unpleasant, at the time, for, apart
!, from his prejudice against the man, he
was particularly anxious to be alone. Too
S polite, however, to be guilty of an overt act
+ of rudeness, he replied, mildly, but with
sufficient point
at is delightful morning, sir, and
o selected this retired by.road that / might
E. in private, enjoy my own reflections.
+ 81 am not guilty of Intentional intru
e sion, sir" said Estelle; ''for this road
/ leads to the house ofan acquaintance whom
d | am about to visit. But, sir, if you car
k bear with me for little while, should
e like to say few words to you on subiec
is of some interest to one of us, at least.
if "If you allude, Mr.. Estelle, to the sub
= iect of former interview, would rathe
IT not recur to it, since circumstances forbiC
b Inc to serve you even if ! desired to do so,
'e "No, Mr. Lee; it is not upon that sub
S, iect I wish to speak, for | have learned