Litchfield enquirer., 1860-05-24

~"N nho oCNCldl dIuOlGlOuS yOultss men made most melancholy attempts to form themselves on his style Another of his changes was, that he wore his hair cut very short, aud his fine classical head was impro- ved by it. In fact, Toms new style was in- 6nitely more interesting. becoming, and dis tingue than his old. Certain pious ladies got their heads together, and after discuss ing the matter, came to the conclusion that Tom Dillar was preparing himself for the ministry. This suspicion even gave new interest to him, and he became more than ever an object of observation. But this theory was soon exploded for, if Tom were engaged in so pious an occupation, under whose auspices was he studying? On hear ing the report, Tom smiled sarcastically, and raised his eyebrows as people do when they are both surprised and amused, but did not deny it. But, if he was not studying for the ministry, what was he doing, and how did he live? Where did he get his money for it was known that Tom paid as he went, and not a soul of his acquaintance could ac. cuse him of borrowing.
 These questions began to grow extremely interesting and pnzzng, for the manner ill which Tom had been. cleaned out by his speculation in Pottawattamy Coal Stock, by his friend, Pete Van Slicer, was as notori- ous as his subsequent poverty, and retire ment from the world All sorts of expcdi- ents were resorted to for the purpose of dis covering the secret of Toms income but the mystery baffled the keenest investiga- ton, and the consequence was. that the widest conceivable stories were told about him, and he was regarded with looks of sus- cion, and treated with cold dsdain by cer- tain ladies who had marriageabe daughters. The excitement at last reached it's calenture when it Was discovered that Julia Laurens, daughter of the celebrated and wealthy physician of that name, and granddaughter of old Ormolu the auctioneer, one of the most beautiful and fascinating girls in socie- ty, had actually fallen in love with Tom, and that he had been forbidden her fathers house because he refused to tell how he gained his income.
 The report of this interesting circum- stance invested the mystery of Toms pros. perity with q romantic interest, and the cx- citemcnt became absolutely furious. It was impossible to enter house without hearing the subject discussed, aud even merchants talked about it on Change The different theories which had been broached were high. ly instructive, inasmuch US they revealed the many different methods by which man may cohtrive to live without labor but it so happened, that not one of them came with in u thousand miles of the truth. Tom had in fact, discovered placer, as he termed it, which he alone knew how to work and most discreety did he keep his secret, until, in Iuckless moment, the merest accident revealed it.
 l The women, poor simple-minded creatures, knowing but little of the world, had their own innocent surmises about Tom, the most plausible of which was, tbat he had made a league with the -; some other ladies who had a less practical acquaintance with human possibilities, believed that he got his money by writing poems for the magazines ; while others said that he gambled. But Toms regular habits and his placidity of temper were adverse to the last supposition. The men, of course, gave shrewder guesses, and one party maintained, with some plau- sibillty, that Tom Dillar was employed as a Russian spy. The difficulty in this case was, that he never received any foreign letters, was notorousIy ignorant of political move ments, and never mingled in any society where he would be likely to pick up any il,- formation that would interest the Emperor of Russia. Another party maintained that he speculated in stocks; but that theory was easily knocked in the head; Tom had not been in Walstreet since his speculation in the Pottawattamy Coal Stock. Some ill., naturcd people hinted that he was employed in circulating counterfeit money; but he Was closely watched, and was never known to pass off bad bill He was accused of pick ing pockets, of buying lottery tickets, and other disrputabe practices; but the strict integrity of Toms conduct, and his perfect frankness on all subjects concerning himself, except that impenetlable mystery of his income put every ungencrous suspicion to rest. He was watched when he went from party or the opera, and was always found to go directly to his lodgings, and there, too, would he be found in the morn ing. Julia Laurcns's father had employed a police officer to dodge Toms footsteps, and discover what his haunts were; but the man could learn nothing more than was already known. There was one rather striking pecu- laiur, HoNc'cI, duouC Aoin Wo'cuo0"to' which might lead to the discovery of the mystery. Nobody had seen him, except on Sunday nights, between the hours of sev- en and ten. Every place of amusement in the city was ransacked il vain, during these hours, but no sign of Tom Dilar could any where be found, and he continued to be a subject of talk in society, where he was still we'll received in spite of all the evil things that were surmiscd about him.
 Julia Laurens was a spirited girl, and she loved Tom the better, perhaps, because he was the object of so much unjust suspicion; and her father, the doctor, was charmed by Toms intelligence, his gentlep,anly manners, his fine taste, and his amiabIity; and most happy would he have been to acknowledge him as his son-in-law, but for the mysterious silence which he observed in respect to his income. But, as Tom was resolute in his silence, the father of Julia was memorable, and there was nothing left for them but a clandestine marriage. The lady hinted at her willingness. but Tom told her, dearly as he loved her, he would not be guilty of dis , honorable act to obtain her. He would wait little longer, and perhaps her father would relent.
 } To fully appreciate Toms noble conduct it should be known that Julia, in addition to her expectations from her fathers proper ty, which was already large, and rapidly in creasinr had nronartv nf her own yalnef