_Hiram._ That's the truth, dad; a tool in the hands of a crafty man. O dad, you were hard on me in the old days! You sought to crush out my ambition to be manly while yet a boy,—an ambition which should have been encouraged, not crushed. Your example made others slight me, and look upon me as a fool. But you were an honest man, and you made me honest; and for that I shall always be grateful. Now you have parted with your high estate; sold yourself, body and soul, to the—well, Col. Rowell is his name. I have kept mine, and I mean to rescue you from the clutches of this villain. _Hosea._ No, boy, you can't do that; I'm sold, delivered: it's too late. I see my folly. But that man! O Hiram! he could deliver me up to justice: he could have me imprisoned. _Hiram._ Why, dad, you forget he is your confederate; that, in sacrificing you, he must betray himself. _Hosea._ Eh? I never thought of that. Of course he must. What a fool I have been! He dare not move. I'm safe, I'm safe! _Hiram._ But I dare, dad, and I will. For four years you have intercepted letters belonging to Gaylie, and Rob Trueworth. I know it: I have full proof. Ah! I've watched you closer than you watched me when I was a boy. _Hosea._ Yes, yes: but you can't betray me; you couldn't have the heart. Hiram, I was a good father to you; that is, I tried to be. You won't give me up to justice? _Hiram._ You have wronged my friends. Unless you immediately resign your office, I will give information that shall lead to your arrest. _Hosea._ I'll resign, I'll resign! but he won't let me. _Hiram._ He shall not prevent you. You must also decline to furnish him with money. _Hosea._ I'll do that, I'll do that!—any thing you ask, Hiram, only don't give me up. _Hiram._ He's coming back. Remember, no money to that man. (_Goes up_ R. _Enter_ ROWELL, C.) _Rowell._ Why, Jenks, what are you about? Didn't you hear? I want that money to-night,—must have it. Why are you not after it? _Hosea._ You want fifteen hundred dollars, colonel? _Rowell._ That's the sum I named. _Hosea_ (_comes close to him_). Don't you wish you may get it, colonel? (_Snaps his fingers in his face._) Do you understand that? not a dollar from me. You've been drawing heavily on my conscience, but you can't draw on my bank-account: understand that. _Rowell._ Fool! do you know that I could hang you, unless— _Hosea._ We hang together. That's good, a pun, ha, ha, ha! the first for many a day. Oh, I'm feeling decidedly better! No, colonel, you couldn't hang me: you dare not molest me; for we are both in the same boat. _Rowell._ Indeed! Well, my _honest_ friend, we can find a new postmaster for Grainlow. _Hosea._ Do, colonel! the sooner you write to Washington, "Off with his head: so much for Jenks," the better for said Jenks. _Rowell._ Do you refuse to purchase the Trueworth Farm?