Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1860-01-28

ulStlnct representation Ot the affair, though
filled out with blanks asterisks and inucndOrs
in lieu Of streets aud names lie who pridcd
himself on the array Of handsome cQuipagcs
blocking the waySide in front Of his door, was
doomed TO lUter through the morn without Il
customer. The afternoon prints repeated the
morning version, with additions descriptive O
the InugnanimouS forbrarance Of the high spir
ited nobleman, &C., with tributes Of conSola-
ton to the injured DANES, concluding with adj
vice to ladies in selecting their tradrSmcn.
Dinner and afternoon paper discussed, alk,
indigeStible SAnwood was relieved from the
solitary m0notony OF the morning by II visitor
1t was the owner Of the necklace, who, having
heard reports which the papers circulated
came with anxious face to ascertain whether
the story referred to Charles Stunw0od. II
was but to true, us the jcwclcr, with ruetu
viSage, admitted.
This happened yesterday morning." cx
claimed the merchant, in extreme anger, "anC
every one is to be Informed of this loss, il vou
call it such, but myself! What construction
am to put on such behavior as tLis =
Stanwood replied, though not with clear
ness, that no uuiavorable- construction cuul,
be justly apphcd-a man honesty was moi
less il his courage were not always equal t.
the emergency. ----'-'-------
The merchant, without commenting on thi,
reply, inquired if he had not been al certail
runlns (Which he naInedl on last Monday nishl
after play house hours:
( Charles admitted he was present.
did you know" inquired the creditor
"the name and character ot tall man viii
dark whiSkrrS, aud black cane with jcwclct
top, whom YOU appeared 81 ianihar with Ot
that nightI'
The startled iewcler replied in the negative
he MAS Il total stranger, had MEYER seen hin
before, knew not his name.
Then do" exclaimed the merchant, "h,
is n noted gambler. Is il fair t" ask whvthcl
you often frequent these rooms"
.,keor Charles began to believe that all pow
CrS. human and tranSccndrnt, were lcngurt
against him. With quiet and correct habits
such aS would have commanded respect fon
the most gid business lAVGalist, -h'
had been induced on that cvcning-havinl
heard frequently Of the ru"mS-to venture oI
glance Of curiosity, after leaving the theatre
in order that he might not appear quite 50 g
norant OF life among his acquaintancrs. Whcr
there, probably new face attracted the gam
bler's attention, whom he certainly knew not
hGd not mt there or elsewhere before, as he
now solcnnly assured the merchant.
The proprietor Of the necklace replied, cold
", he was glad to hear it; II party known t
both, young man in town, with more money
than prudence, had seen him there on the oc
cuSion, and knowing Stanwuod'S responsible
connection With the mr:chant, had Wit enough
to put his iiicnd ON his guard.
From the examination ut the jewelers. book,
and stock, it appeared he was far from being
able. il everything were sold, TO pay in full all
demands, including the limit price put on the
necklace But us he offered to make an imme
date inventory Of effects, and showed every
disposition to act honurably, the merchant was
much softcntd, and went away with the deca
ration that he would allow fair time for til,
discovery OF the property ere he pressed his
claim and that an additional reward, on hi.
behalf, should be advclti
There were yet two parties to whom he was
most anxious, yet most dreaded to encounter.
These were the lady to whom he was attached,
and her father.
Mr. Benson was n retired merchant, and had
higher notions of his daughters future posi-
iinn than aS welded partner of Il shopkrcpcr
lie was, therefore, extremely averSe to the
match. although he could hot object to Stan.
wood, either in respect to deficiency of person
al accomplishments or morals, nor vet ON tho
score Of means, as the business of the i"wvlcr,
though comparatively in embryo, promised Ia
eventually realize to its owner II handsome for
tune.
Clara Benson was nineteen, in two wears
more would ht nt age, and, rs her father fear
cd, il lac inter posed decided obstacles IL her
choice, would on attaining her majority, cA-
crrSc its pIivih -, as guardian of her own hap.
pines>. The icwclcr, as wr have inulnatrd,
was of respectable family. his father having
been merchant 0i repute. it MAS ut the
house Of mutual acquaintance, (no other
than the proprietor or c0nSignee of the lost
nccklacr,) that the lovers first met; the father,
therefore, had no plea Of rcproach against the
daughter from the way in which they became
acquainted 50 he thought fit to Weld at dis
crrtion. and the addresses OF Stanwood were
permitted.
The first hint of a storm in that quarter oc
Cured in the evening, when Charles, summon
ing courage, returned Il visit tn his expected
fathrr-in.law. lie was Informed at the door
that Mr.. and Miss Benson were not at home.
which, from circumstances, he diSbclievcd, mud
construed into II denial. His strong hopes
had ever been built on the depth of Ciara's af
solved to seek an interview. and, il necessary,
an explanation, at an early hour in the morn
ing.
BY putting in practice this resolution. he, in
fact, stole march on Mr.. Benson, who was
surprised. on returning home from morning
walk, to learn that Mr.. Stanw ood was in the
drawing.room with his daughter Thithcr the
retired merchant stole, drrming it no breach OF
dccoIum, under the peculiar circumstances, t.
listen in the back-drawinS room to what was
said in the front. lie heard from the lover
SighS pr0tcStatinns, VOWS Of cruel fortune
These were in response to the cruel intcrict
which her father had placed against further
intercourse. \ week ago Mr.. HrnSon'S iniunc-
tinn would have been laughed at by the Jewell
cr, and di>rcgardcd 10y the daughter But
times were changed, ard Stanwood, who had
now no home to offer, felt the change bitterly,
yet he struggled against his hard lot
alt rests with yourself Miss Benson" cx.
claimed Charles, in agony, whether | am to
bc treated aS criminal. have had property
stolen from my possession, and evel v one turns
upon me aS though were thief Let me
but meet with pity in one dear bosom, and |
will bear misfortune bravcly, proudly I"
The low voice Of Clara was heard murmur-
ing a disclaimer Of accusation. Her father.
she said, had not asked her to give up her at
tachment, indeed he would find he had no
power 10 eXtort such n surrender; but she had
promised-what she could not refuse an only
surviving parcnt-that, as there were rumorS
affecting Mr. Stanwood'S character, (Which she
had no faith in,) as well as a certainty of his
complete ruin, she would postpone further in
tinacy for the space Of one twclvemonth, to
allow the intervnl for the truth 10 nnncnr