National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-05-03

Nicholson, handing the miniature to him
"Oh, yes; there il strong family re-
semblance," said Harry. "But since you
will not have any more sherry, suppose we
60 mp to your room and smoke pipe
while Susan makes tea"
When the old man and the young one
had settled down TO the mutual absorp-
tlon of nicotine, the latter referred again
to tho subject Of his personal affairs
The only thing ! regret" said he, "is
the way in which my sister is shut up
1t must be dreadful thing for her, poor
girl, to be alone all day; and it is bad ior
her to be entirely without any companion
of her own SEX"
"Have you no relative or friends, asked
Mr.. Nicholson.
Our relatives cast us off many year:
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." toi
Susan thought, and | thought, that il
would perhaps be brought up against her,
if she mixed in the society to which these
friends would have introduced her. Oh
course we did not put our refusal upon
that ground Susan said that she would
not leave me; and believe they think
me very wrong and selfish. | am not
quite confident that ! am right myself
and yet the pride which shrinks from
raking up an old shame can hardly be 4
false pride-can it p
1t is not an easy thing to decide in a
moment the degree OF pride which every
man ought to allow himsell--to point out
where the Proper ends, and the False
begns--to beat the parish bounds be-
tween self-respect and vanity. No wonder
that Mr.. Nicholson putfed hard at his
pipe in silence. 1t was evidently no lack
OF interest that held his tongue, however,
for he turned away his head, and his hand
shook as though it were palsied. And
probably that Harry did not look for a
reply he was thinking aloud as much as
talking to the other; and presently he
perceived this, and said with alaugh-"A
pleasant sort of companion | must be,
with my sentimental egotism My ex-
cuse is the relief it affords Inc to speak
out. i there is no one else upon whom
can intlct the ideas which sometimes
plague me for. of course, | want Susan
to think me as free from care as a lap-dog,
/ And then | seem to have known You all
my life; ! forget that it is hardly six
months since we left the house together
one morning, and both walking city
wards, fell into conversation. But know
/ that you will pardon me-
/ There is no need for PARDON said
Mr.. Nicholson. "Iou do me favor by
taking me into your confidence. am a
lonely old fellow, who has spent the bet
ter part of his life away from his country"
"Ah where P"
"Thc last few years at Simancas before
that in Paris before that, at Gottineen.
| am little more than a musty old book
worm crawling from library to library !;
living so much in the past, as to have lost
all connection with the present. You
have recalled feelings, sympathies, aSSocia-
tions, which | thought were lost to me
forever" He paused for while, and
then said abruptly" How YOU must hate
that member of your family who brought
upon it the shamc--Oi which You speak "
40 no, no, mop cried Harry. "You
little think But | will tell you all
about it some day. see that you have
finished your pipe; suppose we so down
stairs again."
Sad subjects of conversation cid not
crop up again, and the rest OF the evening,
though "muscal,n was not melancholy" ."
FUTURE.
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 sparkling
with excitement, bis forehead was bathod
in perspiration, and he iiourished an even
ing paper about.
"What is the matter p 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.'
81 know it; dear mamma always said
So"
"Ay, but it is proved See here, !
don't think that YOU ever knew the de-
tails Of the matter Z"
"No; never wished to do So
"Well, then | will not enter INTO them
now. 1t Is sufficient for you to understand
that our father was a man OF considerable
talent, who took high degree at his
university, and was looked upon as a rising
man by the political party whose cause lie
epoused. Indeed, for some time he was
private secretary to a minister, and il was
only because of his string more certain
income lpon his marriage, that he re-
signed that unstable office, and accepted
an appointment which was not dependent
upon one set of men going out Of office,
and another coming in. 1t was a position
of trust, and large sums OF money passed
through his hands. Well, there was wrong
doing embozzlemcnt, downright theft, in
the department Our father could not
clear himself; his name appeared to fraud
ulcnt documents which could not have
been used without his signature-in short
he was condemned--sen across the sea
lost; for, from that time our mother could
hear no more Of him. " | am innocent,n
he sail when they parted " but what
does that matter-the disgrace IS the
same | hope to die soon but if that
blessing is denied me, | desire to be for
gotten, a. though | had really escaped
from this den of thieves. | will not drag
you and my children any lover. Do not
speak of me to them-nevcr seek for IL
dings of me-" Our mother prayed, rcmon-
strated, wept in vain-he was firm, saying
that he knew it was for the best. That
was eighteen years ago, Susan. when you
were quite a baby, and | so young that
have only the vsguest remembrance of
the calamity and change. Well, our father
had no more to do with that crime than
we infants bad; man in the same de-
partment forged his name, and embezzled
the money; he is dying-struck down
with painful disease, which leaves him
in full possession of his faculties; and in
his terror he has confessed, and he appeals