The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-04-05

came TO TINS city, 0Dtalned my present
situation, and under the name of Brower
have been happy man, but still rob-
ber--an undoubted and confessed rob.
ber."
The three ladies were still as quiet
and demure as possible, while Browler
made the last reiteration with an elasti-
city that nearly approached Il tone of
triumph.
The papers credited me with defal-
cation amounting to a quarter of a mil
lion, though it was really not so large.
The misappropriation was effected by sur
repitious advances obtained on products
under storage, and the replacement by
forged notes Of checks intended for the
liquidation OF claims. All was skillfuly
and neatly done, and the springing of the
trap found me in possession Of sufficient
funds for my expenses, hey, girls p,
Quite plenty said Miss Amabel.
Yes, indeed, quite enough reioined
Miss Belinda.
Certainly" added Miss Cora.
What sort Of people had fallen
among did not know but a sensation Of
fear crept over me as realized that they
would not consider the cutting of my
throat in any more serious light than the
cutting of n dress. These cold.blooded
starring glasses, the prim slate colored
dresses, the thin cheeks, were to my mind
exemplars of a systematic cruelty and
villainy, that to fly from one was no COW.
ardice.
Mr.. Browler," said 1, hastily spring.
ing up.
One moment. Mr. Smythe, | beg OF
you" he touched me on the shoulder
with his odious white hand, and sat
down again.
My irregularity was the final act
which disclosed the position of affairs, and
the total failure of the house instantly
followed. The crash was felt far and wide
They rushed through the Bankruptcy
court and paid forty-two cents. The wal
broke out, O'Neil became separated from
his beloved family, and finding himself
without power to reach them, hit upon
the idea Of making none yout Of the war
This was DONE have reason to believe
on an article called burlaps, which the
Government made EXTENSIVE use of. You
know that have boen discovered by q
singular accident, and | wish to place
myself in communication with Nh. O'Neil
who is now two hundred miles off, and
who by the way is still totally lost to his
family, wishing to get arrangements fol
settlement with his creditors completed
before making the happy disclosure to his
family"
But where is the money you st-you
album"
Stole, that's it..
Gone mostly for kickshaws, this
from Miss Amabel.
Wines and horses, said Miss BE.
linda
Ormolu clocks, Turkey carpets, ar
tcles of vertu," rejoined Miss Cora, al
lowing her glasses to roam about the
room
General debauchery, my dears, said
Browler coughing behind his hand.
Yes" they answered in concert
turning their glasses full upon me, gen.
eral debauchery."
Mr.. Browler," said /, getting up, be.
ing unwilling if not afraid to trust myself
with people whose only merit vas thcir
possible lunacy, Il understand that you
wish me to take message 20 Mr.. Neil. "
Yes, Mr.. Smythe, | am not at liberty
to 60 into explanations, but merely as.
sure you that if you will kindly do so
you will be serving the interests Of hon
csty and not rascality.'
- Yes" said the chorus, "our obliga
tion will be very great"
:" will 60 on condition that your broth.
cr will give his word of honor as gen
tleman and book-keeper, that he viii
not run of before | can return" | said
this with the dignity of a fellow of prin
ciple who was holding scourge over in
iquity The promise was given with ac
clamation, and Browler wrung my hand
which liberty | tolerated loftily. He
gave me my directions and parting
bumper of cider, which coming from the
iniquitous hands of Belinda, and being
mulled by thiefs hot poker, nearly
strangled me to death.
Assured of my absence being account.
ed for at the office, left in the midst o.
thanks and blessings, for my two days
trip. What would Baxter have called
me? How miserable would have felt
had he turned up on that wretched ride
The vision Of his contempt made me very
uncomfortable, and reproached myself
that | had fallen so low as to be the
em;ssary of black-leg.
This was Thursday night could ar
rive at my destination, complete my OBJ
ject. and be again at the office on Satur'
day noon | was sorry at not being able
to be on the ground to watch the progress
Of affairs, but consoled myself at being
admitted above Baxter to the secret OF
the matter, unhallowed though it was
OF the three women | had the meanesi
oppinion that Brower could cheat was
an evident thing, but that his three sis
tiers should tolerate his knavery and reap
the advantages so eoolly was not punish
able on earth. found Mr.. O'Neil, who
was conducting his operations under the
name of Townsend, behind sugar refine,
ry. and he turned out to be tall, gen.
tlemanly, gray-haired man, but who re.
ceivel me with a triAe of coolness and
suspicion. But had no sooner mention.
ed the name of Van Colt in whisper
than he seized my hand and burst into
tears, instead of flying of into paroxysnl
Of fury as fully expected he would.
Bless my soul and so you know the
gentleman? you know where he lives I
how to direct me to him ?"
{" do know him, sir, but | also know
Sardanapalus, Jonathan Wild, Warren
Hastings, Jack Sheppard, and Ross,
said |, tartly. lie looked at me curious