Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-01-07

sale of some land, Morgan thought II nne
opportunity to make descent on the pa
rental purse, and accordingly called on the
old gentleman before he had time to use
the money or deposit it in the bank.
A domestic i'm the family, who admitted
Morgan, relates that the Colonel was in his
study, and that there was bundle of bills
on his desk when the young man entered.
The,Colonel's countenance never changed
as he looked up, and saw his son standing
before him; and when he spoke, his words
came forth cold and hard, as if his throat
had been of marble.
what is your business, sir?'
Morgan returned his fathers stern look
with an unflinching gaze as he replied:
Il come to prefer claim
AT the word claim, the Colonel sneered,
but said nothing.
Il desire to travel, pursued Morgan,
If he had been talklng to an equal. 1T -
be no advantage to you to keep me within
the sight of your door, which is shut a.
gainst me, and within tho odor of your
gardens and orchards, which 1 cannot en-
joy. You will not refuse then, hope, to
supply me with funds, that will enable me
to see something of the world and to estab-
lish myself abroad
'If this is your business, said the Colo
mel in n deeper tone, the sooner you 90 the
BETTER and taking up the bundle of bills,
he locked it up in his desk with firm
hand. Il supposed you had more judg-
ment than to come to me on such fools
errand, Go, 1 say, boy not n dollar OF
my money shall pass into your hands, un-
til you have submitted to my authority,
which you have so lately despised.
Morgan's eyes flashed fire. The domes-
tic who watched him from the door, de-
clared she thought, from the grinding Of
his teeth, and the clinching of his fists
that he was going to strike his father.
Without giving way to his passion, how
ever, the young man turned upon his heel
passed out of the door, and never stopping
to speak to his distressed mother, mounted
his horse, and rode off to the hotel
Mrs. III. flew to her husband, and clasp
ing her hands in agony prayed that he
would call the young man back, speak tC
him no longer in a stern and chilling tone
but kindly and fatherly and effect recon
ciliation.
My Godv murmured the Colonel pas
sionately, 'am 1 to be trampled upon by
my own son? Am to stoop and he t
triumph? When he comes to me with al
air of independence, which is insupporta
ble am to bend to him and begP'
NO nor sobbed the wretched woman
mot that. But speak to him kindly. Us,
persuasion and gentleness-'
with son! persuasion You wron.
my patience exclaimed the Colonel in ;
husky voice. Leave me-.
No more words passed between the pa
rents of the unhappy youth but durn!
the remainder of the day the mother wa
keenly distressed, and the stern father wa!
i'll at ease.
The IL tier passed a slecplc(- night. ~
paced the floor until late, with his brov
contracted and his lips compressed; thel
retired, and lay for two hours, meditatini
on some subject which excited his brain
Mrs. II. who was likewise awake, kney
too well what that subject was,
Considerably past midnight the Colone
arose.
is anything the matter?' asked his wife
Il don't know replied the Colonel.
thought l heard a sound in the lower par
of the house, in the direction of the study
1t may be only a cat that has got in there
but will 60 and see.
Il heard something myself said Mrs. Il
But thought it was outside
The Colonel had heard more, or under
.t.. 4 1.tf Al /, =.
he had no suspicion of cats-his alluson t
them having been made merely to avoi
, alarming her. He remembered that ther
was sum of money in his desk, and prol
ably suspected robbery.
, Going noiselessly down stairs and oper
ing the door of the study with a stead
. hand, he heard the same noise much louC
er than before. He stepped cautiously il
to the room. 1t was starlight night an
> turning his eyes to the window, from whic
the noise appeared to proceed, he discove
= ed dim shadow moving in the curtain.
) At that moinent the noise ceased. III
!. Colonel stood motionless in the corner
O the room, until it recommended, whC
= reaching heavy sword which hung again
the wall, he slowly drew it from its sea
$ bard
! The Colonel then stationed himself ne
$ the window, but no sooner had he done
Q than the grating noise ceased again. Aft
!, short silence he heard another sound lii
the breaking of glass and Immediately {
+ ter the curtain was moved aside by an
r, visible hand.
: The darkness, the loneliness of the char
@ Der, and the mystery of the dim shadow
o the curtain, would have shaken the nerv
z of any man of less GOODNESS and coura)
n than the Colonel. Determined to take Il
n robber dead or alive, he calmly waited (
II him TO enter the room. But praa--4il
g his dismay, he heard footsteps comi
down stairs. Some domestic or out labc
@ er, had evidently heard the sounds. al
d was coming to learn their origin. Percei
n ing that this must frighten the robber. L
J. Colonel was revolving in his mind WI
y he should do to effect his object, when [
10 hand that moved the curtain had becor
l. visible. 1t was cropping along the windc
frame for the spring. Rapid as the ligl
s. ming, yet noiselessly and unseen the {
l. broadsword swept over the Colonels hes
tn and struck deep into the woodwork of I
to window. There was stiAed cry-a bea
ig fall-and the curtain swept back to
no place.
IA Rushing to the window, the Color
In threw IL open and looked out. He COT
n see nothing however, owing to the dar
n ness; and shutting it again he fastened
ot procure light.
AS he burst into the hall, a laboror by
RS name of Jones, who slept in the house. ,
o. peared at the foot of the stairs.
10, Good God Colonel, is that you p or
y. Jones, who appeared agitated with terr
what is the matter?'
er Give me the light said Col. IL.
X lie extended his hand. As the lii
he shone upon it, Jones who must have BIZ
cd terribly frightened, saw that it was Gov
cd with blood. Starting back, he dropI
n ha lap trfhf fnh