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Show 326 RICHATID HURDIS. friend being killed by .1 stran~cr . T was confused and bewil. dered by the new position of rvcnts, but was r1uite too awkwardly pi need to "cnturc nny questions on so dangerous a topic. 'I' hey proceeded in their di:1loguc :- "All th is comes of l1is }Hl.SHion for the girl. ' Vhen tl1ey are once married, you'll sec that h e' ll rccov('r." "If I thought so, by God, it would ]llcase me tl1e best of all things. It would do my heart good to sing it in tl1e e:J.rs of her insolent father, tl1at his daughter was the wife of a public r obbr. r-a thief of the l1ighwny !" u So, so, 1\Iat! Don't, I pray you, d isparngc our profession! rrendcrly, tenderly-no niclmaming-and have done with your malice . Malice is a base, bad quality, and I heartily despise your fellows who treasure up inveterate prejudices. They are always a yellow-souled, snnkish set, tltat poison themselves with tiJe secretions of their own venom. Now, for my part, I have no hates, no prej udi ces : if T have rmything to thank lle:l\'cn'" for, it is }JOSsessions of a better sort than this. Uy chickens lay better eggs, and ltatch 110 vipers." A pretty sentiment enough for a rogue and l1ypocrite! But of what strange contradictions are we compounded! The dialogue was soon brought to a close:- " Jt is understood, then," said Foster, u that Haller and 1\-.,.illiams" (meaning me) "are to watch his motions, and see that he keeps in traces. Are these two enough, or shall we put a third with them 7" "Quite enough to follow and to punish, though it is well tiHlt we should all note Ids movements, and watch him when we can. Does :Mr. Wil'Ii:nns know the extent of his power 7" demanded Webber, turning to me. u Ay," was the reply of Foster; "he knows tlwt he has power to adjudge, and execute even to death ; but I would beg him to recollect that he must award with great caution ngainst a confCderate. An unjust punishment incurs similar judgment; and we are prompt to avenge an injury done to one of our comrades. I would not have him too precipitate with Eberly: Le is a fel1ow of good qualities; he is bold as n lion-generous to the last sixpence - " "Aud a little too conscientious, you should add," was the iu- THE TOO CONSCIENTIOUS BROTHER. 327 terrnption of ' Ycbber - 11 a little too conscientious. VVe were a few thousand dollars tltc richer, but for tlwt." u Ah, you mistnkc, ~f atthew; he wns busy making love, and ltnd lt olydny. Let him but become a llllsband, nnd you'll tbcn sec l1ow const:mt he will be-in his absence from home." Ilcre the conversation ended for the nigltt. |
