Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-04-11
A DESPERATE CHANGE!
BY CHARLES PORTER SUMNER.

l VI ne lilt tIfttt StI ptHAs ut tt NuS NhdNS sHS Stirred up with envy and revenge, deceived
 ---Parad,se Lost. l Why 1 havcno resolved to disclose secret buried in my own breast fol thirty years it boots not to tell. Per haps it may be from mere recklessness for am desperate man, and, though none have suspected it, have been Sc for more than half my lite. Be the motive " hat it may, am resolved, and if the effort result in tortures potent to rend asnnder the lnsi frnii thraaa of m ' life, I will fulfill that purpose.
 That I am guilty this confession will amply prove, nor does it palliatc my guilt that was tempted. Yet inn. le well to state the nature of my tempta- ton. for I solemnly believe that no mortal ever suffered the same terrible experience. Itis, in fact, my deliber- ate conviction that veritable fend commissioned by Satan himself for this very design, encompassed my de struction. Not in the spirit did this demon haunt me, but as human be- ing like myself; warm, breathing, handsome, flesh and blood-but none the less a deyil For half a aoscore oi years he was my bosom friend. fairly worshipped him, and fondly be lieved that his love for me was as a shield of triple brass. And yet killed ] him!
 l Let me tell my tale.
 Ny name--or rather the name l choose to use in this confession-is i Walter Carlisle. Left an orphan at an early age, I succeeded to n moderate inheritance, and was adopted by my maternal uncle, Jason Winner. My guardian was a childless widower, and pleased with me in infancy, determin. ed, when thus became, dependent. on his protection, to educate me as his heir He was merchant of great wealth and high standing, and, beside myself, loved nothing on the earth SC much as the good name of his conner. cial house. In this, however, there was nothing selfish or miserly--for he was charitable to a fault, and all whc knew him blessed him for his kind heart and open hand-but he was jeal. ous of the honor his firm had acquired l in the business world, and regretted bitterly, till he adopted me, that he had no direct descendant who would per. petuate its probity and importance when he should pass away.
 l When 1 came to him he fondly hoped that, at last, he had found fitting sub stitute for son, who would fulfill hit fcherished ambition. Accordingly ht resolved, even in my boyhood, that should succeed him, not only in his 1 wealth, but in his name and business | was to be Carlisle Wilmer, when came into possession at his death, anG the name of the firm was to remain unaltered his will, which he executed when he adopted me, expressly provi ding that should not inherit unless carried on the business. A new life opened to him when hs had thus decided on educating me fol the position which he hoped l woulc worthily fill when he was gone. Nj, i youth was one of fair promise, and CT, long he grew to love me as if l hac been, indeed, his son. In those dayi of innocence--in fact until the temptel and my crimes had changed my yer, nature--I returned his love. l reyer enced him as my father, and as brigh example whose course was to follow Had any prophet whispered in my ear while was thus grateful and free iron sin, that should one day be the asp il his cup of joy to sting him unto death I should have laughed the oracle t scorn and considered him madman
 Time passed; my school education was completed, and wss introduced