The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-12-23

j me-"
1 1t was in vain that her father palliat-
ed the offence. Floride averred that
she never wished to see Jasper Harri-
/ son again. While her father remon-
stated, Ignatius Polk was announced.
I To saw that he was welcomed warmly is
superfiuous. Before he left Floride, he
was her accepted lover before he left
the mansion, he was acknowledged SON
in-Iaw elect by Mr.. Palmer.
| To Jasper Harrison fuming impa-
tiently in his room, and doing his best
to quarrel with his sympathizing
friends, came the rumor of the engage
ment. At first he was incredulous,
then despairing, then comical. This
last mood passing away with the exit
| of the last of his visitors, he became
bitter at what he called the deceit of the
coquette, and finally pursuading him
self that he had been both Tilted and
supplanted, he gave himselfup to the
thoughts of revenge.
/ All sorts of wild schemes trooped
1 through his brain. Should he Insult
his rival, induce a duel, and shoot
him through the heart? Should he
hire one of those wretches easily found
in the City of New Orleans, willing
for the sake Of a certain sum, to play
the bravo? should her abduet the
bride on he wedding night? Should
he wait and then be doubly revenged
on the parents by stealing the children?
/ Children-his children-the thought
was madness. He rushed from the
room regardless of his appearace, to
seek the council of a friend scarcely
that, for hitherto Jasper had never
consorted with criminals or aught that
was low but an acquaintance who
was known to be not fastidious as to
his actions.
To this man did Jasper unbosom
himself-his chagrin, his desire for
satisfaction-no by words so much as
suggestions. The advice given was
apparently good, though Mephistc-
hpels himself could have given none
more dangerous.
'Be cautious of committing yourself
Wait Bride your tongue. Do not
threaten. Keep your purposes to your
self. Ifyou can do this all will be
we'll"
Impressed with the reasonableness
Of the advice. JASPER retired changed
man. By some mysterious process he
felt that he had become one of the evil
minded-that he was no longer the
upright honorable gentleman whom
men had known as Jasper Harrison.
He wandered moodily to the levee,
aud there met his rival face to face.
Ignatius was about to address him
cordially, when Jasper, forgetting all
counsel and resolution, spurned the of
fered hand, and muttered in suppress
sed rage rather than spoke;
"You have supplanted me and l
will have revenge, though l have TO
wait ten years"
"You will live to be sorry for your
words, )" commenced Ignatius, depre.
catingly. But Jasper stalked quickly
away, bearing the air of a man who
may not be reasoned with.
"He is little chagriued but he viii
oon get over it," thought Ignatius.
"Jasper's too good fellow to cherish
revenge
The wedding took place in manner
betting the position and prospects of
the parties concerned. Jasper was
I present at the ceremony, itwas remark
ed looking far from being broken; but
though invited, he did no. participate
in the ensuing gayeties.
Afterthe honeymoon had waned, the
young husband often met his former
rival, who exchanged civiIities, but
was never cordial, excusing himself
from all invitations with thanks cold
ly but civily expressed.
Two years had passed. Ignatius had
become a father; Jasper wealthy mer-
chant, MS fathers successor. If ever
any one had heard him express words
betokening the passion that ragged in
his breast, they were long forgotten
But serious, engros5ed business man as
Jasper had become, he had not forgot
ten Floride Palmer. One day he saw
her seated in her carriage, his rivals
child, with its nurse beside her. His
brow lowered instantly, aud a set, ma
licious scowl darkened his face. He
gnashed his teeth, and seemed as if a
bout to spring into the carriage to com
NIT some deed of evil, Witha power
full effort he tore himself away from
the spot, muttering:
my time will surely come But il
is hard to wait"
Not long have invokers of evil to
wait, however, for the demonoppOrtu-
nifty.
Ere month had passed. Jasper Har.
ris0n and Ignatius Polk we've floating
on the bosom of the treacherous Missis-
slppi in the same vessel.
Ignauus went up to his forme
friend who had not observed him, and
: in his most winning manner, said:
"By what good luck have we met
Now shall have pleasant company
Jasper started at the we'll known
tones, and when he turned, round to
face Ignatius, his face was ipale and
eyes flashed hate. Muttering some
thing that Ignatius mistook for words
Of greeting, the latter said:
Friend Jasper, youreally look sick. "
"And you" responded Jasper, recov'
erinU himself. '9ook as fresh and buoy