Litchfield enquirer., 1872-05-23


 ton Of nicotine, the latter referred again 10 the subject of his personal affairs The only thing regret. said he, is the way n which my sister is shut mp. It must be dreadful thing for her, poor girl, to be alone all day; and 1t is bad for her to sss elatifelg without any companion of her own sex
 Have you no relatives or friendY asked MT. Nicholson.
 Our relatives cast us off many years ago, on account of family misfortune. But there were some friends who got me my present appointment, and who would have taken charge of Susan. We de- clined, because of that family affair, for Susan thought, and I thought, that it would perhaps be brought up against her If she mixed in the society to which these friends would have introduced her. Of course we did not put our refusal upon that ground; Susan said she would not leave me, and I believe they think me very wrong and selfish. I am not quite confident that I am right myself, and yet the pride which shrinks from raking up an old shame can hardly be called false pride-can it?"
 1t IS not an easy thing to decide ill a moment the degree of pride which every man ought to allow himself-to point out where the proper ends, and the false be- gins-to beat the parish bounds between self-respect and vanity. No wonder that MT. Nicholson puffed hard at his pipe in silence. It was evidently no lack of in terest that held his tongue, however, for he turned away his head, and hand shook as though it were palsied. And probably Harry did not Aook for reply; he was thinking aloud as much as talking to the other; and presently he perceived this, and said, with laugh: "A pleasant sort of companion must be, with my senti- mental egotism! My excuse is the relief 1t affords me to speak out, and there is no one else upon whom can infict the ideas which sometimes plague me; for, of course, want Susan to think me as free rom care as lap-dog. And then I seem to have known you all my life; I forget that 1t IS hardly six months since we left the house together one morning, and both walking city-ward, fell into conver- sation. But know that you will pardon me-
 There is no need for pardon, said Mir. Nicholson. You do me favor by talk ing me into your confidence am lone- ly old fellow, who spent the better part of his life away from his country
 sAh where?'
 The last few years at Simancas before that, in Paris before that, at Gottingen. am little more than 8 musty old book worm crawling from library to library i; living SO much in the past as to have lost all connection with present. You have recalled feelings, sympathies. associations, which 1 thought were lost to me forever. He paused for a while, and then said, abruptly:
 How you must hate that member of your family who brought upon it the shame-of which you speakr
 Q no. no, no ! cried Harry. You lit tie think. But I will tell you all about it some day. I see that you have nnlshed your pipe suppose we go down stairs again.
 Sad subjects of conversation did not crop up again, and the rest of the even- ing, though musical, was not "melan- choly."
 One evening in October Harry Maple- son came home at the usual time, but not in his usual state of calm composure. His face was pale, his eyes were spark ling with excitement, his forehead was bathed in precipitation, and he fourished an evening paper about.
 What IS the matter cried Susan.
 Don't be alarmed-it is good news. We can look the world boldly in the face, my dear our father was innocent!'
 T know 1t; dear mamma always said SO. ,
 Ay, but it is proved! See here. I don't think you ever knew the details of the matter?'
 No; never wished to do so.
 Well, then, will not enter into them now. It is sufficient for you to under stand that our father was of considerable talent, who took high degree at his uni versity, and was looked upon as rising man by the political party whose cause he espoused.' Indeed, for some time he was private secretary to minister, and it was only because of his desiring more cer- tain income upon his marriage that he resigned that unstable office, and accept ed an appointment which was not depend ent upon one set of men going out of of flee and another coming in. It was a po- sition of trust, and sums of money pass- ed through his hands. We'll, there was wrong-doing, embezzlement; down right theft, in the department. Our father could not clear himself; his name appear ed to fraudulent documents which could not have been used without his signature in short, he was condemsd-sent across the sea-lost; for from that time our mother could hear no more of him. 'T am innocent" he said, when they parted: ''but what does that matter-the disgrace is the same. I hope to die soon: but if that blessing is denied me, desire to be forgotten, as though had really escaped from this den of thieves. will not drag you and my children down any lower. Do not speak of me to them-never seek for tidings of me-" Our mother prayed, remonstated, wept in vain-he was firm, saying that he knew that it was for the best. That was eighteen years ago, Su san, when you were quite baby, and so young that have only the vaguest re- membrance of calamity and change. We'll. our father had no more to do with that crime than we infants had; man in the same department forged his name. and embezzeled the money: he is dying struck down with painful disease, which leaves him in full possession of his facul. ties; and in his terror he has confessed. and he appeals to the family of the man he has worse than murdered-to us-for forgivenessl Here it is-seei Gan you forgive him, Susan? I can't. Forgive himI l wish him well and strong, that I might have my fingers round his throat, and my knee on his chest, and watch his black soul ssifing in his black heart Souli hope
 Harry, Harry!' @
 Well, well, I forgot myself; don't look frightened, Susan. It is well that the wretch has spoken at last, at all events; our poor fathers memory will be cleared from reproach; and you can stay some times with those good Poynter people and see little society
 Susan was protesting that she was quite contented and happy under present cir cumstances,w s,when she was interrupted by a q knock at the door, and the fellow lodger entered the room. He, too, held news paper in his hand; he, too, was evidently under the influence of strong emotion. for he stood glancing from one to the other with a strange, yearning expression in his eyes; twice he essayed to speak, A. -s-.A R Rfe1az zH