Sometimes the thought would arise in his mind, “Is it possible that, like myself, he comes here as a relief to his burthened spirit?—to seek a solace for the cares of an anxious mind!” He banished the thought at once; but who is there that has not often found these random suggestions of thought were in fact the premonitions of truth?—and to this fact we are about to come. BOTH IN THE SAME BOX. One night, when the stakes had run high, and were swept by their opponents, and the two friends had set themselves down to the solace of their wine; and its inspiring qualities had heightened into extacy the love that glowed in the bosom of each, with that mellow frankness which wine always inspires, and the longing which friendship always feels, to make its loved object the co partner of its cares, the defaulter whispered in the softest accents, “Bill, I am ruined—the money I lost belongs to the Treasury.” “So did mine!” was the full and sonorous response. Had the thunder-bolt, which Abdiel let fall on the crest of Satan, struck the defaulter, he could scarcely have received a greater shock, and almost like the arch-fiend— Ten paces huge he back recoiled; The tenth on bended knee. But, recovered in some degree from the shock, the friends were both astonished at their own imprudence, and, shaking hands, they separated for the night; the one to go home and ponder his lot, the other to regret his folly. THEY TAKE COUNSEL TOGETHER. But the disclosure had been too mutual to rest here—something must be done for their protection. It could only be done by concert, for each had the power to ruin the other, any moment; and, as a result of this necessity, it was the part of wisdom to extend their mutual confidence. If both could not be saved, one of them might. The government was passing into new hands, new interests would arise out of it, new applications would be made for office—perhaps they would both lose theirs. If they did not render their accounts promptly, they would be suspected, and lose their offices of course. They must, therefore, work speedily. THEY ABSQUATULATE. But the day of retribution always comes sooner than we expect. The government _had_ changed hands—new interests _had_ arisen—new applications for office _had_ been made. They _had_ become more than suspected, before they could possibly arrange, out of the chaos of their affairs, and the wilderness of their crimes, any such jumbled up accounts of interchanged receipts, costs, &c. &c., as could save even one of them. And, as a consequence upon the unfaithfulness of their friendship, they were both compelled to fly in disguise and disgrace, from the presence of their countrymen, and from the joys of home.