Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-11-11

( the remonstrances of my family, and be-
cause it was far easier, trusting also, per-
haps, in lucky hit on the Derby. 1 bor-
rowed money at high interest on my COM
mission-in short, in about eighteen
months l found l owed about thousand
pounds. The money lenders were clamor-
GUS for payment, threatening to arrest me,
SO was at last compelled to apply to my
friends they, however, firmly refused to
had involved myself SO deeply, notwith-
standing the liberal allowance l received,
1t was clear the army was too expensive for
me, and that had better give it up. |
was obliged to sell my commission, which
realized about eight hundred pounds, but
as 1t was assigned or mortgaged for that
amount to some of those who had advanced
me money, they were paid, and my unfortu-
nate tradesmen received nothing. My
friends declined paying them-their claim
being about two hundred pounds-reduced
my allowance to fifty pounds a year, and
allowed me to reside with them until
could obtain some appointment which would
enable me to pay my debts. They also
told me that until had done this and SO
redeemed my character, they would do moth
ing for me, as they could place no conf
dence IN my promises.
You see | was already beginning to reap
some of the fruits of my extravaganza.
had left the army, which was the only pro-
fession | then thought | could ever like
and my means were diminished but | was
not yet sufficiently punished to induce me
to set TO work in earnest.
So | remainded In London. living in a
luxurious home, frequeting many of my
former haunts, associating with my friends,
going 10 my club-in fact, doing nothing,
and trying TO persuade my friends and my
self that L was endeavoring to obtain some
sort of an appointment. This went on for
about six months, until my creditors, losing
all patience, informed me they would ac-
tually arrest me if | did not pay them
This gave me considerable anxiety. al
though l did not think they would pro-
ceed to such extremities. However,
took the precaution TO give orders TO my
aunt's servants to say, if any one called for
me, that | was out of town. | meditated
going away, but knew not where to 60.
had no friends out of London, and of course
ance l spent that in cigars and gloves
alone.
One evening, at about seven o'clock,
just as I had come down dressed for din
ner, and was crossing the hall to 20 into
the drawing room, | saw the butler open
the street door, and, not having yet had
time to close the drawing room door, over
heard the following dialogue
Is Mr.. at home ?''
No. He has just gone abroad"
Can you forward this letter to him p
- No. He did not leave his address :;
be never does
Come, that : nonsense said the man,
passing the tootman and walking into the
hall. a l know he is in London and that
be lives here; and if you won't undertake
to deliver this letter TO him, III sit here
and wait until he comes in
All remonstrance on the part of the
footman was quite useless tEe man was
told 10 was not IN IN, ho~~N that he had
40 right to remain there, all IN vain SO
one Of the servants was eventually obliged
to call policeman who, when he found
the house was the private residence of
lady, VINO refused to give my address, or
dered my obnoxious friend out He went
at once, not forgetting to express the
opinion he had formed Of my humble self
and which was anything but fattering
Although it is now some years since this
occurrence took place. the feelings | ex-
perienced on the occasion recur to me as
vividly o. though II had only happened
yesterday. | was perfectly stunned, de-
prived almost of the power Of collecting
my ideas. and [ scarcely think it is posi-
bic for any one. no matter what they may
have done, to feel more ashamed than
did on that eventful day. No one spoke
to me. but my relations were talking to
each other; and | heard. as in dream,
such words or parts of sentences as the fol-
lowing: =. Disgrace" Subject to insult
in ones own house" - Scandal in the neigh
borhood," Z" Servants" &c. mechanical
" went into dinner, where | fancied | saw
the butler, who was usually very grave
man, actually smiling at me. However,
this must have been mere imagination on
my part-he never could have presumed
SO to forget himself,
Although nothing was said on the sub
iect, knew | must leave my aunt's house
at once, SO | resolved to proceed to Paris
the next day. and there to seek some sort
of employment which should enable me to
paw my debts, or, at any rate, maintain my
self. until my relations should relent, and
perhaps come to my aid ; SO | packed my
portmanteau and prepared for my depar-
ture. |. however, foresaw great difficult
ties in my way, which my Imagination in
creased; began TO think every one con-
spired to impede my escape was not
certain whether some Of my creditors, or
their agents, might not be standing at the
very door, or little way of, to intercept
me as soon as l appeared. In order,
therefore, TO attract as little notice as
possible, l sent a man-servant with my
luggage TO the railway station, and directed
him to take my ticket, register my lug
gage, and, in fact, make all arrangements,
so that | night arrive just il time, and
Jump, as it were. from the cab into the
train. About FIVE minutes before the ap-
pointed time | drove up to the station.
carefully mufled up in overcoats and di-
yers wraps, with my travelling cap closely
pulled down over my face, which gave peo-
pie the idea was suffering from violent
cold, and, casting hurried glance around
as arrived. l hastily jumped out of the
cab, and was rapidly entering the station,
already congratulating myself On the good
luck | had met with, when l suddenly
heard some one running after me, and call
ing out something, which / was too agitated
to hear despair gave me courage, and /
walked on even faster, hoping, l scarcely
know what, but determined at any rate not