Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-02-01
W, ID. WALLACH.
TOM MILLER.
Or, W no was the Thief?
AN ENGLISH TALE.


ago, lived one Thomas Miller, who had
long kept a booksellers shop, and held the
Office of postmaster in the place of his
abode. He a tau thin man of come
sixty years of age, with long gray locks.
which curled round the back of his head
and showed themselves but sparingIy on
his forehead. His eyes were dark and lively,
but generally covered by enormous speotacles
worn as much to hide their expression, and to
give him an advantage over those with whom
he had dealings, as to aid his sight; for fire.
quently, when anxious TO examine any article
more narrowly, the spectaces were thrust
back upon his forehead. He wore a long dark
gray coat, reaching TO the middle Of his legs
gray wOrsted stockings, and shoes with large
silver buckles Old Tom Miller was what is
called "well to do in the world,' besides hav-
ing saved a considerable in trade and by his
economical habits, he had Inherited, from an
elder brother, funded property to some amount,
and collection of curious old books china
and other articles, said to be very valuable
That this property should have been left
Thomas Miller, was a surprise to the little
world of Halesworth, for he had been for many
years estranged from his brother, who had
adopted an orphan nephew as his heir; but on
his death bed William Miller, who resided in
the neighboring town Of Bungsy, sent for his
oTcther-their differences were forgotten, and
Jcung William Bullock, the nephew, confded
70 his care but strange to say, after the death
Of the sick man, a will was found in which he
gave all his property TO his brother. The date
OF this document was, indeed, previous to the
adoption Of the lad and at time when he had
quarrelled with his mother, the only sister of
the testatOr, in consequence of her having mar
ried Protestant-the Millers being a Roman
Catholic family, strongly attached to the te-
nets of their religion On his sisters death.
however, Willism Miller had taken charge of
her orphan child. and no doubt was entertain
ed oy his acquaintance that he would provide
for him in after-life, being unmarried, and re-
naming so till his death. 1t proved otherwise
as we have seen. Thomas Miller having by
virtue of the will taken possession, returned tc
Halesworth with his orphan nephew, who was,
from that time, resident in the family of his
new protector. But the situation of Will
liam Bullock was materially changed for
the worse, and he held a doubtful position
In bis new abode, being required to do the
duties of servant, though in other respects
treated as member of the family. The
establishment of old Miller consisted, at the
time, of an old female domestic named Susan.
and a daughter about a year younger than her
cousin, the only child of her father by his
wife, who had been dead several years From
her childhood, Betsey Miller had been re-
markable for her amiable temper and promise
OF beauty, which increased as she grew up. A
sincere affection naturally sprang up between
the cousin, to which the circumstances Of their
daily life continually gave fresh energy. The
influence OF Betsey over her father was great,
and to that influence William was indebted for
every INDULGENCE he obtained Whenever any.
thing was to be asked from the old man, itwss
through her that be sought to obtain it, 1t
was this love alone for his cousin which de-
tained the youth in a state of thraldOm and
inactivity, which became every day more irk-
some as he advanced to mans estate. But no
lnnuence could induce the old man to part
with money to apprentice the youth to any of
the tradesmen In the town. 1t was in yaip
mat many OF the most respectable inhabitants
offered to take him at a small premium, and to
instruct him IN their several eInployments; for
William was n universal favorite, and many
were anxious to obtain the services Of such a
promising assistant. But, though his uncle
professed no strong affection for him, seeming
to grudge every shilling expended on neces-
sary articles Of his wardrobe, some powerful
influence seemed to act upon old Miller, and
to prevent bim from allowing his nephew to
quit his family and immediate guardianship
and Ae manifested the greatest irritation at
any proposal for having William removed from
under his eye, appearing jealous of every one
who took the slightest interest in his future
prospects.
Some years rolled on in this state of uncom-
Portable dependence and uncertainty as to the
future; and nothing but the increasing and
mutual affection of the cousins prevented Will
liam from leaving his uncle's house, and seek
ing to provide for himself by the exercise Of his
talents, which were considerable and were not
Dy bescy means be OBTAINED
admission to her fathers books, which,
though not numerous, were sufficiently 80 to
give him the means of self-instructiOn-the
best, If not the chief source of education. The
years which had thus passed saw young Bull
lock advanced TO manhood, and Betsey Miller
the belle OF the small town in which she lived.
Many and tempting we're the offers of marriage
she received; but the damsel remained un-
shaken In her affection for her cousin, and her
father was not inclined to force her acceptance
Of any of her numerous suitors. lie was we'll
aware of the att Ichment the young couple had
formed; but though he never opposed it, he
would not listen to any proposition for their
marriage. Ths same strange influence which
seemed to have impelled him to keep his
nephew in his family, appeared TO weigh with
hiu, and prevent him from prohibiting their
mutual engagement; but any attempt to obtain
his consent to their union rendered him furious
and even his love for bis daughter could not
then restrain him from saying the harshest
things. " She wanted" he would say, sto get
possession Of his money, to set him aside from
mansging his property, to make him depend
ent on herself and her cousin and strictly
forbade the subject to be mentioned to him
again. His conduct towards his nephew, also,
was at times very peculiar and he seemed,
even when asserting supreme authority over
him (which he would not allow for a moment
to be questioned) to feel some strange and
mysterious fear Of the young man; and If called
uPou any uecuIul o4pcueo On Ils dc-
count, though be would complain heavily, he
never seemed TO contemplate the possibility Of
q refusal; and although the presence of Will
liam gave him no pleasure, and, from the
morosepess Of his manner towards him, would
have led to an opinion that he desired to be
rid Of him, he was evidently resolved not to
part with him, and retained him as if perform.
log an imperative but unpleasant duty Every
thing in the old mans establishment was reg
ulsted with the greatest exactness, and his
daily habits were equally unvaried. After his
early breakfast, he constantly locked himself
up with his books and antiquarian treasures
for some hours, and no one intruded on his Sc
clusion. Previous TO his dinner, at one o'clock,
he walked in his small garden, which was un-
der the care of William and bis cousin, and at
such times was much addicted to talk aloud to
himself, and seemed lost In thought on some
matter which weighed upsn his spirits, but Of
which no one had any idea; for, notwithstand
ing the strictness and even severity with which
he kept all the obssryances Of his religion, from
the time Of his brothers death he had never
been 70 confession, and he avoided as much as