The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-04-29


Redwood estates, and only since then.
1t Strengthens me and one or two 9TH
ers in possibly an unfounded suspicion,
( which But had better if i wish
te render myself Ineligible, relate
matters III due sequence.
Sir Thomas Redwood, whose prop
erty in Lancashire is chiefly in the
neighborhood of Liverpool. met his
death. as did his only son Mr.. Archi-
bald Redwood, about six months ago,
in very sudden and shocking man
ner They were out trying a splendid
mare for the first time in harness,
which Sir Thomas had lately purchased
at very high price. Two grooms
on horseback were in attendance, to
render assistance if required, for the
animal was very powerful, high-spir-
tied one. All went very well till they
arrived in front of Mr. Meredith S place,
Oak Villa This gentleman has pas
/ sion for firing off a number Of brass
cannon on the anniversary OF such
events ms he deems worthy of the hon
or. This happened, unfortunately, to
be one of Mr. Merediths gunpowder
DAYS: and as Sir Thomas and his son
were passing. stream of light flashed
directly in the ewes of the mare, fol-
lowed by the roar Of artillery, at no
more than about ten PAGES of. The
terrified animal became instantly un-
manageable, got the bit between her
teeth. and darted off at the widest
speed The road is n curved and rug
ged one; and after tearing along for
about half mile, he off-whcel of the
gigcame, at an abrupt turn, full against
a milestone. The tremendous shock
hurled the two unfortunate gentleman
upon the road with a frightful violence,
tore the vehicle almost completely
asunder. and so injured the mare that
she died the next day The alarmed
grooms, who had not only been unable
to render assistance, but even to keep
NO with the terrified mare found Mr.
Archibald Redwood quite dead. The
spine had been broken close to the
nape of the neck; his head, IN fact, was
doubled up, so to speak, under the
body. Sir Thomas still breathed, and
was conveyed to Redwood manor
house. Surgical assistance was prompt
" obtained; but the internal injuries
were so great, that the excellent old
gentleman expired in few hours af-
ter he had reached his home [ was
hastily sent for; and when / arrived,
Sir Thomas was still fully conscious.
He impaired to me matters Of great
moment to (which he requested / would
direct. after his decease my best care
and attention. His son. ] was aware,
had but Just returned from tour on
the continent, where he had been alb
sent for nearly a twelyemonth; but ]
was not aware. neither was his father
till the day before his death, that Mr..
Archibald Redwood had not only Sc
cretly espoused Miss Ashton--of a
reduced family, but belonging to our
best gentlv-but had returned home,
not solely for the purpose Of soliciting
Sir Ihomas's forgiveness of ms unau-
thorized espousal, but that the proba-
bic heir of Redwood might be born
within the walls of the ancient manor
house. After the first burst of passion
ana surprise. Sir Thomas, one of the
best-hearted men in the universe, cor
daily forgave his sons disobedience-
partly, and quite rightly, imputing il
to his own foolish urgency IN pressing
. a union with one of the Lacy family,
with which the baronet was very init
mate. and whose estate joined his
Well, this lady, now widow, had
been left by her husband at Chester
! whilst he came on to seek an explana-
ton with his father. Mr.. Archibald
Redwood was to have set out the next
! morning in one of Sir Thomas's car
riages to bring home his wife; and the
baronet, with his dying breath, badt
me assure her of his entire forgiveness
? and his earnest hope and trust that
= through her offspring the race of the
l Redwoods might be continued in a di
I rect line The family estates, l should
tell you, being strictly entailed on heirs
male devolyed. if no son Of Sir Archi
: bald Redwood should bar his claim
upon Charles Malvern, the son of {
I cousin of the late Mr. Thomas Red
g wood The baronet had always fell
e partially towards Malvern, and had as
T. sisted him pecuniarily hundred times
=, Sir Thomas also directed me to draw
l as quickly as l could short Will be
queathing Mr.. Charles Malvern twent,
4 thousand pounds out of the personals
? | wrote as expeditiously as l could, bu
, by the time the paper was ready fol
his signature, Sir Thomas was nC
S longer concious. placed the pen IL
- his hand, and fancied he understood
the purpose, for his fingers closed faint
r ly upon it; but the power TO guide was
= utterly gone, and only slight, scram
bling stroke marked the paper as til,
[ pen slid across it in the direction o
i the falling arm.
$ Mr. Malvern arrived at the manor
o house about an hour after Sir Thomas
n breathed his last. 1t was clearly ap
g parent through all his sorrow, partl.
b real, | have no doubt, as well as part
f ly assumed, that Joy, the Joy of riches
S splendor, station, was dancing at hi
= heart, and, spite of all his efforts t.
S subdue or conceal, sparkling in hi
e eye. L briefly, but as gently as could
acquainted him with the true position