The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-11-01


no other terms, he sullenly complied, and
at the same. time be reiterated, that if any
harm should befall the boy-to whom he
intended, he said, to leave handsome
fortune-he would cease, regardless of
consequences to himself, TO pay the Will
liamses q shilling.
A silence of several minutes followed,
broken only by the scratching of the pen
on the paper. The time to me seemed
an age, sqneezed crooked stlhed as | was
in that narrow box, and 80 afterwards
learned it did to my fellow sufferer. AT
length Mr.. Malvern said in the same
cautious whisper in which they had all
hitherto spoken, This, ] think, will do
and read what he had written. Mr..
and Mrs. Williams signifed their approv-
al and as matters were now fully ripe,
| gently turned the key, and very softly
pushed open the door. The backs of the
amiable trio were towards me, and as my
boots were off, and the apartment was
thickly carpelcd, approached unpercei-
we'd, and to the inexpressible horror and
nstonishment of tine parties concerned,
whose feads were bent eagerly over the
important document, a hand, which be-
longed 10 neither of them was thrust ST.
lenlly but swiftly forward and grasped
the precious instrument. A fierce ex-
clamation from Mr. Malvern, as he start
ed from his seat, and convulsive scream
from Mrs Williams ms she fell back in
hers, followed; and to add to the anima-
ton of the tablcaux, my friend in the
op ,osic wing emerged at the same mo-
ment from his hiding place.
Mr.. Malvern comprehended at glance
the situation of affairs, and made a furious
dash at the paper. | was quicker as
well as stronger than he, anc he failed in
his object. Resistance was of course out
of the question; and in less than two
hours we were speeding on the rail to-
ward London, accompanied by the child,
whom we lntrusted to Williams servant
maid.
Mr. Rcpton was still in town, and Mrs.
Ashton, Lady Redwood, and her unmar-
ried sister, in their impaiience of intell
gcncc. had arrived several days be-
fore. | had the pleasure of accompany
ing Mrs. Rcpton with the child and his
temporary nurse to Osborne's Hotel in the
Adclphi and | really at first feared for
the excited mothers reason, or that she
would do the infant mischief, so tumult-
uous, 50 frenzied was her rapturous joy at
the recovery of her lost treasure. When
placed in the cot beside the female infant,
the resemblance Of the one TO the other
was certainly almost perfect I never
saw before nor since so complete like
ness. This was enough for the mother !;
but, fortunately we had much more sat-
i.tactory evidence, legally viewed to es-
tablish tn, identity of the child in a
court of law, should the necessity arise
for doing So .
Here, rs far as | am concerned, all
positive knowledge of this curious piece
OF family history ends. OF subsequent
transactions between the parties had no
personal cognizance. l only know there
was failure of justice, and can pretty
well guess from what motives. The par
ties | arrested in birmingham were kept
in strict custoday for several days; but
no inducement, no threats, could induce
the institutors of the inquiry TO appear
against the detected criminals. .,... q,
Mrs. and Miss Ashton. Lady Redwood
an her children, left town the next day
but one for Redwood manor; and Mr.
Rcp,on coolly told the angry superintend-
ent that The had no instructions TO prose
cute He, too, was speedily off, and the
prisoners were necessarily discharged out
OF custody.
saw, about three weeks afterwards,
in n morning paper, that Mr.. Malvern,
whom The birth of Il posthumous heir in
"A direct line had necessarily deprived of
all chance of succession to the Redwood
estates, and the baronetey, which the
newspapers had SO absurdly conferred on
him, was, with his amisble lady and
family, about to leave England tor Italy,
where they intend to re'AAin for some
time The expressed but uncompleted
will Of the deceased baronet, Sir Thomas
Redwood, had been, it was further stated,
carried into effect, and the legacy intended
for Mr. Malvern paid over 10 him. The
Williamses never, to my knowledge, at
tanned to the dignity Of a notice in the
newspapers but | believe they pursued
their original intention Of passing over to
America.
Thus not only 'Offense's giided hand
but some of the best feelings of our ma
ture, not mirequently shove by justice
and place IA concealng gloss over deeds
which, in other circumstances, would
have infallibly consigned the perpetrators
TO a.prison, or perhaps the hnlks.-
Whether, however, any enactment could
eifectually grapple with an abuse which
springs from motives so'natural and ami
able is question which must leave to
wiser heads than mine to discuss and de.
termne.- Diary ofa Detecti,e.
A barrister having wearied the court
by a long and dull argument, the judge
suggested the expediency of hls bringing
il 10 a close. II shall speak ms long as