Year: 1867




room, his heart evidently swelling with
indignation and pride. Then, losing
his self control, he said, passionately:


There are men who join IL this sys-
TEN Of prescription who ought to be
well aware that know enough Of them
and their condition, to hurl them into
poverty if would only undertake the
task | could strip them Of the very
houses in which they and their families
live, and turn them into tht street.
The title to much of the property now
held by the rich men Of our city would
not bear to be sifted, know all about
it, and ] may be induced some day to
show what ] am able to do III the mat
te." a


The doctor observed, that he was not
competent to judge such affairs, which
were far removed from the object Of his
visit.


Burr instantly sat down again, and,
with the most exquisite politeness, APP
pologized for his warmth, adding, that
his mind was so chafed at times by the
circumstances in which he found him
self, that he was not always as self-pos-
sessed as he could wish.


"Once," said he, Il had the credit of
such self-possessiont that nothing could
disturb or overthrow it, / have less of
it now. Age and sorrow combined
wear away the strength of the strong
est"
The minister then most earnestlyre-
newed his cXhortation, and implored
him to repent, and begin new life
Burr heared him patiently, and said in
reply;


This is all true, and how strongly it
reminds me ofmy early days. It seems
as if heard good Or. Beuamy again
speaking to me. But | fear such APP
peals will have as little effect upon the
| old man as they had on the wayward.
youth, If there is any such good yet
III store for me as you, sir, seem to de-
sire, it must reach me at last i'll virtue
OF my birth from religious parentage,
which, you justly observed, it has been
my lot to have IS q birthright.'


BY this time It was late iii the even
ing, and the clereylnen rose to take
leave. Burr looked DR.. Mathews ,stea-
dily in the face, and spoke as follows


Il am far from being wearied Of this
conversation. On the contaary,I shall
preserve q grateful recollection Of it
1 sincerely thank you for this visit, and,
if it does me no good, / am anxious it
should do you no harm. | hope that
you Willnot mistake my motive in what
I am about to say. know who some
Of the men are to whom you sustain in
innate relations. They entertain the
most unfayorable opinion of me in ev-
cry ressect, and would not fail to mark
ii against any c..e Hhc should treat me
with any open ayowal Of good will or
ciyility. I would be to your detriment
if such men should see you accost me
in the public street with the expression
of regard that your kindness might
prompt. When we meet in any Of our
great throughfares, it is best that we
should not see each other. Do you un-
dersraisd me :"


Dr.. Mathews replied that be appre-
ciated MS motive, though he could not
see the necessity Of such course, but
that he would regulate his conduct by
the wish Col. Burr had expressed.


Excuse me- said the old lawer, Il
am the Best Judge .a


He accompanied the clergyman to
the door and, at parting, gave him his
hand, which was as cold as a dead
mans, and the doctor left him, feeling
that his visit had been III vain. -


III Aaron Burr there was 10 repen-
lance To the end Of his life he cher
ished the delusion that the obliquy un-
der which he rested was utterly unjust,
and he often laughed at the public for
being so imposed upon by his "ene7
miesH as to believe that Aaron Burr
was anything but a gentleman and a
man Of honor. The threat which, in
his excitement, he let fall, respecting
the estates Of some Of the rich men Of
the city, he delayed notlong to execute
and he gained large sums by bringing
suits of ejectment against men who had
never doHbted the sufficiency Of their
titles Many Of these suits were deci-
ded in his favor, and be took a share
Of the recovered property as his fee
" Y Ledger.