"EVENING STAR" SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT OF ENTERTAINING READING.

No 48.]

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1876

[Pbice :, ONE PEJNNY

Cheek-Mated.

< on yes, revenge is pleasing, let moralists contend as they will,' said a young man whom we will name Mackisson, while Id conversation with another. 'Nay more, there is something of ecstacy in tho plea sure which we feel when we have it in our power to repay with interest the injury or insult which we have nndcr 2one.' 'Say not so, Mackisson, replied the other, whom we will call Vincent: 'the pleasure is rather that of a demon exult ing in hi 3 own bad passions, than of a human being possessed of rational and moral qualities. My creed is that of our | celebrated philosopher Bacon. «In taking ■ revenge,' he remarks, ' a man is but even f with his enemy, but in passing it over, he is superior.' Again. ' That which is past and gone is irrecoverable, and wise men have enough to do with things present [ and to come ; therefore they do but trifle I with, themselves that labour in past

(matters.' • , '•Mere theory, I assure you, if not something bordering on hypocrisy,'retor ted the other. . ' Bacon himself was not I celebrated for too strict an adherence to ;■; the principles which he taught.' ,'Some of those principles, however,' ! replied Vincent, ' among which I number that respecting revenge, are of themselves immortal and incontrovertible.' ''Nonsense; why should we not avenge the injury we have received ?' 1 One reason is, that we gain no ultimate good; on the contrary, we insure to our selves evil.' 'I should like much to hear how you make that out/ 1 Willingly. Society is so constituted, that we cannever be said tobe independent of each other. If we revenge every injury, whether intentional or not, which we receive, we place ourselves without the I pale of sympathy or assistance, when pro bably we stand most in need of it,' 'That would apply equally to the original offence.' I ' Which would not weaken its applica- Itiontothe revenge.' • But then the pleasure of making our I adversary feel something of the pain that we have felt!' ' If pleasure there be, it is of too diabo lical a kind to be taken into the account.' • Then you would permit your enemy, and one who had deeply aggrieved you, to ['go scatheless?' I 'I would.' I 'So would not I; and there ends the ■matter. Good-bye.' •iji Such was the conversation of the two f-young on the occasion of this interview ; 'end little did they think how soon they would be led each to put his principles linto practice. I Their principles being diametrically Ippposed, it is not surprising that their dispositions were equally so. Mackisson |was conceited, passionate, ambitious, and rain; consequently jealous. Vincent nodest, good-tempered, yet reserved; inobtrusive, yet firm. The one was ffected by every trifling occurence; the ither thought few occurences were of ufficient importance to be permitted to listurb the equanimity of his temper, itackisson was aspiring, but not always bservant of the proper means ; Vincent fas not indifferent to distinction, but

ihought it procured at too great a price if it the sacrifice of honour. i It is not an aasy task to explain the Ireeise degree of estimation in which each was held in the circles in which they inored. Mackisson, always accessible, ■easily led to enter into the spirit of every fussing event or topic of conversation, not jlefieient in humour, seemed a general avourite, and was usually surronnded by i host of persons. Vincent, modest and i'etiring.noteasly led to attach importance 0 that which seemed to him not worthy |f consideration, not always conversable, let able to take no mean part in conver sation when moved to do so, seemed at [times neglected when in the company of tismore brilliant associate. There was, however, always this distinction between the small circle which sought his conver sation, and that large one which thronged wound his companion'—the one was remarkable for its frivolity and boisterous hilarity, the other for its quiet cheerful fravity. -: An occasional intermingling would of course take place between these circles; but soon again the members of each would, by a sort of antagonism, resume their former places; like two jtmcombining fluids which, agitated, will assume a temporary intermixture of parts ret resort each to its original state as 'oon as the external force which caused hem to intermingle is withdrawn. Between the parties themselves there 1 iad long existed an acquaintance; but 1 he probability of a perfect intimacy had ; lecome daily lessened as the force of ' heir natural characters developed itself, packisson thought Vincent too ' soft,' as h would term it; and Vincent thought -Mackisson too boisterous and assuming. |The one would prolong a debate after pry point had been conceded; the other

detested useless discussion, The one would wrangle for a straw's end; the other rather abandon tho straw in toto, Yet were they no equal match in force and strength of intellect, as Mackisson's wounded vanity was frequently compelled to admit.

Discussions similar to that just narrated and ending similarly in favour of Vincent, were not calculated to narrow the natural antipathy, if I may so term it, of their characters. In fact, at every fresh defeat —and the occasions were many, for Mack isson'3 vanity and ambition led him to enter upon every discussion, however unacquainted with the subject—the extent of that antipathy became greater ; and as. Mackisson's principle? fairly developed themselves, Vincent saw the necessity of having as little in common with his com panion as possible. Matters were in this state when another discussion, attended with the mortifying circumstances of publicity, gave a fresh impetus to this mutually opposing principle. Mackisson and Vincent were present on an occasion in which an argument arose on the subject of party spirit, and its effects on society. As usual, Mackisson took a prominent part, and addressing himself frequently to Vincent, ultimately involved him in the discussion. As it became warm, however, the latter proposed that it should cease, there being no necessity for permitting it to proceed to the extent which it promised to do.

1 I'll allow it to cease,' said Mackisson, 1 if you admit yourself vanquished ?'

'By no means,' replied the other ! ' yet lam no longer disposed to continue the argument.' Those, however, who enter tained opinions similiar to Vincent's, and had in a degree abandoned their cause to his advocacy, were not desirous that the discussion should terminate in so unsatis factory a manner. At their solicitations, then, he again replied to the positions which had been assumed by Mackisson, and the argument approached a climax. 'You say/ continued Vincent, 'that party spirit is beneficial to society, by reason of the force which it engenders, and that that force being in a right direc tion, good must result. How if it be in a wrong?' ' We must prevent it from being so.' 'How will you prevent it ?' «By inculcating correct opinions.' ' But does not the existence of party spirit imply the existence of two factions at least ?'. 'It does.'

1 Well, then, can both of them be in the right P. Certainly not.' ' Can it be for the good of society that any body of men should be in the wrong ?' ' Of course not.'

' And yet this is party spirit!' A laugh from his opponents,' Vincent's supporters, annoyed Mackigson exceedingly; and already at a loss, he floundered on in the discussion.

'No, no, you do not understand me,' he continued, after a short but embarrass ing pause. 'I do not intend that any body of men should entertain erroneous opinions. I would have all mankind advocating correct principles.' 1 Well, then, suppose they were ?' 'If they were, we should have the benefit of their united force tending in the right direction.' 1 Where, then, would be the party spirit for which you contend ? If all were unanimous in advocating correctprinciples, how could party spirit possibly exist? and if good resulted from this unanimity, how would you charge it as the result of that spirit ?' 'Vanquished, by all that's good, exclaimed Vincent's supporters. 'Mack isson, go hide your diminished head.' ' 1 will not —I am '.not conquered—-I will not be conquered by him,' cried Mackisson, much excited. ' Oh, good good T echoed the others. ' A man convinced against his will, Is of the same opinion still;' but every one knows he has lost the game.' 'I tell you I've not,' he replied, stamping his feet on the ground, ' and; I'll prove it out of that fellow's own text-book.' Vincent reddened at the term, but remained calm. ' He pinshis faith,' continued Mackisson 'on every word that falls from the pen of that old peculator Bacon. Now, Bacon himself says, that ' it is good to side one's self to a faction.' The misapplication of this quotation was so glaring, that it was followed by a simultaneous burst of laughter, at which Mackisson, unable to control his anger, or to bear the point of their sarcasms, abruptly left the room. Here, as elsewhere, the vast superiority of temper over passion was amply mani fest. Vincent, as I have already observed, was not a general favourite; but the mode in which he had conducted himself throughout the discussion, won considerably' upon the esteen of his companions. Above all, the moderation under provocation which he hud shown, far from detracting from their good opinion, tended' rather to enhance it. Thus will forbearance usually receive its

due homage, although we may; not at all times be enabled to emulate it.

Mackisson, on the other hand, lost much of the good opinion of his own supporters ; and, the victim of a scene which he himself had tended to create, retired to his home possessed of the most outrageous feelings of jealousy—of all passions the most permanent and the most corroding. Anger may evaporate with the passing of the occasion which induces it; hatred may give wajr to a sense of the unworthiness of its object; but jealousy ever nourishes and prolongs the cause which, excites it; and the .very self-esteem which, in the case of hatred, contributes to allay the passion, here, by a depreciating compari son, perpetuates it. Had Mackisson been simply angry, a few hours would have sufficed to allay the feeling ; but being also jealous, we find him days subse quently nourishing his resentment, and seeking to avenge himself in a manner peculiarly characteristic. Inferiority, and the publicity which had accompanied the last manifestation of it, were the causes of Maekisson's jealousy. It therefore became his object to. lessen its degree in any, possible shape, accom panied with equal publicity. VgHow, he reflected, could that object be attained? All contest with Vincent in debate of general acquirement, he was reluctantly compelled to admit, was vain. Vincent was too far in advance, and too industrious himself, to permit a fair chance of speedy equality. Would games of skill effect the object ? It seemed unlikely. Vincent was no admirer of, and seldom played them. Little credit was therefore to be procured by excelling him at them. But there was one game, superior to them all, confessedly a game of mind* of which. Vincent was devotedly fond, and at which he possessed the reputation of being, an expert player. Was it possible to contend, with him at this game—to vanquish him with his own weapons ? Ob. what triumph foe him, Mackisson! what humiliation, for his opponent if it were! And it,should be possible ! Nights and days would'he devote to all the intricacies of the, game, to all the mysteries of the several moves j and then, when he had rendered- himself master of them, then he would challenge and conquer his opponent, under circum stances that should obliterate the memory of all past discomfitures. : .:•; Mackisson had energy and perseverance, and some talent, although of a second grade. To resolve to prosecute the study of the game, was to do so. Every spare moment was devoted to it—all mere pleasure sacrificed to it. Every move was patiently investigated, and a variety of combinations committed to heart over and over again ; and then, when he thought himself sufficiently proficient, he requested Vincent to pass an evening with him, transmitting at the same time invitations to all their mutual acquaintances to be there. Vincent went, and found to his surprise many persons assembled. The feeling, however, soon wore off. Mackis son was unusually gay, and somewhat marked in his attentious to Vincent. The latter, regarding this conduct as the result of a desire to atone for the occur rence of the last meeting, responded with cordiality. At length Mackisson proposed to Vincent that they should play a game of chess. ' I suppose,' he added, ' there is very little probability of my being conqueror, having but within the last few weeks acquired a knowledge of the game.' The truth at once occurred to Vincent; Mackisson had learned the game to compete with him, and the guests had been assembled to witness what he undoubtedly expected would be his triumph. ' Mackisson/ observed Vincent, giving utterance to his suspicions, 'I perceive this is a preconcerted challenge ?' ' I candidly confess it,' aaid Mackisson, ' and these gentlemen will bear witness of my intention to win back the many laurels I have lost.' ' A challenge^ a challenge !' cried the guests ; ' let's have the game; five to one on Mackisson ; four to one on Vincent,' &c. 'I accept the challenge,' replied Vincent, inwardly determined, if possible, to allay for over that restless vanity on the part of his companion, which was continually engaging himself and others in hostile contests.

Vincent played white, and Mackisson red, and for some time the game was maintained with equal skill. At length Vincent made what Mackisson regarded as an exceedingly bad move. ' Your game is gone,' he cried exultingly to Vincent. ' Say you so ? replied the other ; ' we shall see.' 'I am magnanimous enough to inform you,' continued Mackisson, ' that unless you use exceeding skill, the game is mine.' • Well, then, if you will be so positive,' said Vincent, ,' let: me in my turn inform you that you shall be check mated in my four next moves.' ' Pooh, pooh!' exclaimed Mackisson, 'youdream : I've moved ; 'tis your turn to play.' ■ Well, then, check to your king with my castle.' ' Ha, ha ! a most awkward blunder—l take your castle with my king.' 'Be it so; check with .my other castle.' 'Well, I move out of check; that makes two moves.' 'Check with my castle

again.' 'Ha, ha, hd! really, this is too good ; I take your castle once.more with my king.' 'So yon do. but I check-mate you with my queen !' '.'.Tis false !' exclaimed Mackisson—"tis false ! I'm not; check mated !' and then, a moment after, seeing that the game was lost,: he swore a terriblei oath, and flung the board and men to the extreme end of the apartment! There; was an end to the hilarity of the remainder of the evening, and the'guests soon after separated. . ~:-,' . Erom simple jealousy, Mackisson's feeling's towards Vincent were; 'now converted to hatred. The. pit which he had dug for another he had fallen .in: him-' self, and he now regarded that other with the bitterest feelings of animosity.' No means were left unexplored which he thought could injure—no devices untried which appeared calculated to wreck hia revenge. One of.: the most \ important attempts of thin nature occurred but a few weeks subsequent-to j the. date of the scene,just described..,; ~.;. ' '•■ >•

•Do you know young Vincent ?':in quired a gentleman at the house of a third party, on an occasion when Mackisson was present, 'Very slightly,' they replied;' • what of him P' ' Nothing of, momehti' rejoined the inquirer.; 'but I have some reason for leaTning the character he bears.' 'By the by,' observed one of. the com pany, ,'Mackisson may be in a situa tion to afford you the necessary informa tion, apply to him.' The party ad dressed himself to Mackisson- ' I know Vincent well,replied the latter ; 'very well indeed*' 'Let me hear something,of him.' ' "Why, he is as good as the generality of us ; but——' and he made a significant pause. ' Pray go on ' urged the other,:> who seemed much interested. ~' The fact is,' added Mackinson, appearing suddenly to recollect himself, * I should not like to report anything to Vincent's discredit.' * Discredit!' ejaculated the other, ' I have been led to. believe him i a very exemplary young; man;' 'I make use of the term discredit,' continued Mackisson ; ' but I perceive I- have already said to much.' 'For.heaven's sake' explain yourself!' exclaimed the party-;, '1 am free to confess to you that Vincent is mush interested in the result of my inquiries respecting him.' ' Then is it the ; more necessary that I should hold, my I peace,' said Maokiason. To furthw soUcit^tiqn, he,replied, ' I beg to asftnre you, sir, that I know (with much emphasis on the word) nothing calculated to effect; our good opinions of Vincent's .character/ f Can you not tell me something of this young man which may dissipate these doubts ?' said the enquirer, addressing himself generallyto those present; •' We know nothing of him,' they replied; ' except that he ia very reserved, and is not a general favourite' One other attempt did the party make to obtain some explicit information from Mackisson, but the reply added the more to his. perplexity. ' It dose not become me,' said Mackisson, ' to repeat that which might, after all, be but th.9 result of unfounded suspicioES.' Mackisson was aware that a vague allegation ofttimes more surely blights the character of an individual than any deflnito charge. The mind has in the former case the entire circle of offences through which to wander rin the latter, but a solitary segment of the circle. '^We should not understand Mackisson's character aright, were we to suppose that he avoided the society of Vincent while thus calumniating him. 'On the contrary he sought his presence, and manifested an apparent deference and respect towards him which he had never before exhibited. It is the part of low and revengeful cun ning to wear the mask of friendship, that it may the more securely wound. '" Vincent had returned home one evening from his day's occupation, when a letter, left for him during his absence, was placed in his hands. Its contentswere calculated greatly to surprise him. A distant rela tive, possessed of considerable wealth, had died, leaving him his heir; and the letter requested that Vincent would at his earliest convenience, favour the writer with an interview. Vincent* theve-i fore, immediately repaired to the address of the party (an attorney), from whom he' learned all the particulars of his good' fortune. There is but one portion of the conversation held on the occasion to which it is necessary to refer. ' You see, my dear sir,' said the attorney, ' what friends • we have in the world. Had I placed implicit confidence in the character furnished me of you by your friend, ;you never would have inherited1 the splendid fortune now at your command.' * This is not the only favour ofI'the kind which I have to place to his account, as he"shall some day know,' .said Vincent; and having made certain arrangements with the attorney, be returned home. :'• •Our hero* was nofr, like all his prototypes, in possession of a larg6 -in come ; and although generally as i retiring and reserved as heretofore, he was admitted to be, by some species of magic perfectly familiar to men of the world, a very fine fellow. His entertainments were not sufficiently frequent; but there

was something so, chaste about those which.' he gave,,'th'at" every allowance wai to'be made; His conversation was not racy, but then his wine was'of the &>« vintage'; and so 'on. It was evident, thai Vincfent, 'wealthy and. independent, .was, a much more Jimportaat personage,! and H&4 far more extensive privileges allowed hinii than Vincent,,a clerk' and dependent* i : ,... , : , \>Vell, at bn^ of th^e.se, .chaste entertain nien^s,^i^en'by vpere assem,bled| imany. ' guests., ' a.mP n £' whom .were MacHsson^and.otner acquaintances, of early, days.'! The, cloth had. beenremoved and winebrqughtpn. r I}arinfc a temporary cessation in the- conversation, Vincent, 'remarked, addressing -himself: to his, i guests, 'By the by, gentleman, let me tell you t have recently 'discovered so atrocioui a. combination of hypocrisy, malice, .and. ingratitude^, that.l am assured,, wbept, I relate to you the Circumstances, and name the party, Jcnbwn. to, yqu all, you will unanimously, ejecfchun from your society.' ' "Who is .he,.? iyho, js he ?' echoed from all sides;' and Mackisson's voice was heard among Y.ery^oud, although he experienced, a feeling amounting to suffocation., I'll, name him presently,;', and then producing some papers, Vincent continued—'.this.., individual and I have been on forms, of intimacy from our earliest years, and,; never on one, occasion, I am assured, ■ have I given.;him just cause for...an angry. , feeling. Ofme he has always exhibited a dqgree of jealousy that- was unaccountaplej,.. but I have never striven to allay ,it. He.,. haiinsuUed nic, but I have passed bv:.Ei, insult's unnoticed. ;,;He has endeavoured to'lblightiny.character,;and to wreck; my ■ fortune, but'l.We.,forgiven it all. . On.* ; particular, occasion,. he had. sp .planned .; as to render me,'but for a happy r chauce,. "the ridiijnta^f our, mutual .friends ; but 1.,, fortunately.!e)?caped. the toils he had ae.t.> forme.,. J'rpm.that moment his. every,, sentiment|hai. seemed ingulfed in one 0f.., reveflge,,and., he. h,g.s,.respr,tod,|to,every . ; device. wh;ch, he. though,!; palculaled ,to . effect my ruin^ , $ RBj more adrpi,t^>, hpvr- . r ever, to. r veil .his,, spheres, he,professed.a .; reviving,. attachmen,t; to \ me.. ;While t he,,.. secretly undermined, ,or . attempted to,-, undermipe, ,my reputation, he openly. exhibited, his apparent frjiendship,} while .. ne stealthily sought to, mar my prospecl,,.,. he qutvyjar^ly courted my. spcietly; .while. . hq wreck my .happiness he . ■ seeded pn^y anj^iou3 to promote it.' ~; A . 'pause,', enabled the ,guests'.to express . in,,, , the., strongest term? .the ' unpardonable ignpoiiny,of such conduct- Mackisspnjs ,4, situation may.' be conceived, but ,not •; expressed.. Vincent continued—'l do,;, not, speak unadvisedly, or without. authority, The fortune I n 0*..,, possess had, been loat, had his, report, 0fj.,.;, my character been , received,. I cai^. ~. produce an,attorney.on whoso credulity,,. ; he played, jsuccesstaHy for a time.' My. ; .' hopes of domestic, felicity, were basely , , threatened. Here is a letter infamously ....; maligning',my conduct to a.lady whom I, have, the hpnqur to esteem..,and .whicb.^..;'(' letter I am enabled, to,trace as eminatipg,,,,.. from his hands. He has carrie.d his .. hostility . and "his envenomed fceiirigs, ~,; for aught ,1 kuow, up . to, this..,.yerjr. ~, moment of time 5 for here is another,letter r r ,\ t dated to-day, addreased to ope of my most ; intimate friends, scandalously,yet secretly, , , as he imagined, misrepresentin<r circum- ~. , stances which transpired .between us.\, ;i ; Viucent again paused, ard glancing his : . eyes slowly' around the table, permitted them, to,.rest iixed]y t,ora v moment, but qnly.for a miom^at, on Mack,is,soh., The ... latter was exceedingly palo v . W.h«t think • . you, gentlemen,' he., again continfledj j,..,.. .' shoula De the. punishment, of such a wretch? ' It. is impossible to suggest one • too ignominious,' obscryed a guest., ,'J-Io ~-.> should be scourged beyond the lim^s .pf . M i respectable society,' .said another.,, 'Hpi; ~r should be publicly whipped.'criodathird. i^ s Mackisson's agony was intense, as % 0 .0; contemplated the= probable accumulation,,L, ; of jail this wrath oh' his own headi.^-; 'Name him !' shqutcd. a i( fourth., He , started. This . } indeed!^.was, what he ; . : dreaded: this indeed w6uld.be tlie acme of s'hamt and humiliation., Tp be pointed at as a hj'pocrite, an.iagrate, a liar J OH ho^f bitterly he repented having given. way to an unprincipled jealousy and a feelieg of malicious revenge! - He. would have givtn much to have crept out silently and: unobserved. The pverwhelming sentenco of 'social excpmmunicatipn would, then, !R pass over comparatively unheeded, i But, esckpe was impossible. One faint,hopo ■'. prepented itself., ,^ould Vincent rejlent I , Ohino!—there was no .compassion in- that, ,;•; indignant voice—no in'ercy in.' ; that. . - detbrmined look. 'Name him,!', shouted;..,,, thejvpiee ; 'name himl (Hackisson felt ~ , a siqiiening sensation at heart; his, brain reeled')—name fiim, that we may branji him ■■<■,' as ianunprincipl.ed : wret3h,.,a,ad .base de—'.,r:t faultier.! r ',i>ill not nan> e mm.'said Vin^ >i ( { 'cerit calmly;■'.'heknpw.s.the^pblpquy, hehas. . , incur'rect^, and ?;ill appreciate my present v ,,', forbearaHce and forgiveness.,,. Mackisson ~- at j;hat moment felt that he could die to , ( ..s serive the man whom he had hitherto benffc t ev^ry energy to aod defame ; i. .; I ......-, ' ~. ■■ ~..(...., , . . :..,(.., ■,!.,. .....1