Cheek-Mated.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 674, 7 October 1876, Page 5 (Supplement)

Cheek-Mated.

' Oir yes, revenge is pleasing, let moralists contend as thoy will,' aaid a young man whom wo will name Mackisson, whilo in convocation with another. 'Nay more, there is something oforstacy in tho pleasure which w. 1 (col wliori we have it in our power to repay with interest tho injury or insult which wo have nndcr-Kon(<-'K on(< -' ' Suy not «o, Mackisson.' replied tho other, whom we will call Vincent: ' tho pleasure is rather that of h demon exulting in his 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 with Ins 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 with themselves that labour in past matters.' ' Mere theory, I assure you, if not something bordering on hypocrisy,'retorted the other. ' Bacon himself was not celebrated for too strict an adherence to tho principles which he taught.' ' Somn 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 P 1 ' One reason is, that wo gain no ultimato good ; on tho contrary, we insuro to ourselves evil.' ' I should like much to hear how you j make that out.' j 1 Willingly. Society if so constituted, that we can never be said tobe independent of each other. If we revenge every injury, whether intentional or not, which we receive, we place ourselves without the pale of sympathy or assistance, when probably we stand most in need of it.' •That would apply equally to the original offence.' ' Which would not weaken its applioation to tho revenge.' ' But then the pleasure of making our adversary feel something of tho pain that we have felt !' ' If pleasure there be, it is of too diaboHeal a kind to be taken into the account.' ' Then you would permit your enomy, and one who had deeply aggrievod you, to go scatheless ?' ' I would.' 'So would not I ; ani there ends the matter. Good-bye.' Such was tho conversation of the two young on the occasion of this interview ; tndlittlo did they think how soon they would be led each to put his principles into practice. Their principles being diametrically opposed, it is not surprising that their dispositions were equally so. Mackisson was conceited, passionate, ambitious, and vain ; consequently jealous. Vincent modest, good-tempered, yet reserved ; unobtrusive, yet firm. The one was iffected by every trifling occurence ; the >ther thought few occurencea were of tuflicient importance to be permitted to listurb the equanimity of his temper, i Mackisson was aspiring, but not always )bscrvant of the proper means ; Vincent vas not indifferent to distinction, but nought it procured at too great a price if it tho sacrifice of honour. It is not an aasy task to explain the )rp,cise degree of estimation in which each vas hold in the circles in which they noved. Mackisson, always accessible, asily led to enter into tho spirit of every >assing event or topic of conversation, not leficient in humour, seemed a goncral avounte, andiras usually surronnded by , host of persons. Vincent, modest and etiring, not easly led to attach importance o that which seemed to him not worthy >f consideration, not alwayi conversable, r et able to take no mean part in converation when moved to do so, seemed at imes neglected when in the company of lis more brilliant associate. There was, lowever. always this distinction between he small circle which sought his converation, and that large one which thronged round his companion — the one was emarkablo for its frivolity and boisterous ilarity, the other for its quiet cheerful ravity. An occasional intermingling rould of course take place between these irclcs ; but soon again the members of teh would, by a sort of antagonism, esume their former places ; like two ncombining fluids which, agitated, will Bsume a temporary intermixture of parts et resort each to its original state as oon as the external force which caused hem to intermingle is withdrawn. Between the parties themselves there ad long existed an acquaintance; but le probability of a perfect intimacy had ecome daily lessened as the forco of leir natural characters developed itself, lackisson thought Vincent too ' soft,' as 0 would term it ; and Vincent thought lackisson too boisterous and assuming, 'he one would prolong a debate after rery point had been conceded ; the other etested useless discussion, Tho one ould wrangle for a straw's end ; the ther rather abandon the straw in toto, r et were they no equal match in forco id strength of intellect, as Mackisson's ounded vanity was frequently compelled > admit. L)iscussions similar to that justnarrated ad ending similarly in favour of Vincent, ore not calculated to narrow the natural itipatby, if T may so term it, of their laracters. In fact, at every fresh defeat -and the occasions wore many, for Mackson's vanity and ambition led him to iter upon every discussion, however nacquainted with the subject — the extent F that antipathy became greater ; and as lackisson's principle* fairly developed lerasolves, Vincent saw the necessity of wing a% little in common with his commion as possible. Matters were in this ate when another discussion, attended ith the mortifying circumstances of üblicity, gave a fresh impetus to this mtually oppjsine principle. Mackisson id Vincent were present on an occasion 1 which an argument arose on the subject : party spirit, and its effects on society, a usual, Mackisson took a prominent art, and addressing himself frequently to incent, ultimately involved him in tho iscusiion. As it became warm, however, »c latter proposed that it should cease, lero being no necessity for permitting it > proceed to tho extent which it promised »do. • I'll allow it to cease,' said Mackiison, if you admit yourself vanquished?' •By no rnenni, 1 replied the other ! * yet

I am no longer disposed to continue the argument.' Those, however, who ontertnined opinions similutr to Vincent's, and had in a degree abandoned their ciuse to his advocacy, were not desirous thai the dispiisslon should terminate in so unsatisfactory a manner. At their snlicitulions, tlien, lie again replied to the positions j which had been assHmed 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 aright dircc- , tion, good must result. How if it bo in a wrong?' ' We must prevent it from being so.' 'How will you prevent it ?' • By inculoating correct opinions.' • But does not the existence of party spirit imply the existence of two factions at least ?' ' It does.' • Well, then, can both of them be in the right P' Certainly not.' ' Can it bo for the good of society that any body of men should bo in the wrong ?' • Of course not.' 1 And yet this is party spirit !' A laugh from his opponents,' Vincent's supporters, annoyed Mackisson exceedingly; and already at a loss, ho floundered on in the discussion. 'No, no, you do not understand mo/ he continued, after a short but embarrassing pause. 'I do not intend that any body of men should entertain erroneous opinions. I would have all mankind advocating correct principles.' ' Well, then, suppose they were ?' 'If they were, we should have the benefit of tbeir united force tending in the right direction.' \ Whero, then, would be the party spirit for which you contend ? If all were unanimous in advocating correct principles, how could party spirit possibly exist P and if good resulted from this unanimity, how would you chargo it as the result of that spirit P' ' Vanquished, by all that's good,' exclaimed Vincent's supporters. 'Mackisson, go hide your diminished head.' ' 1 will not — I am not conquered — I will not be conquorod by him,' cried Mackisson, much excited. ' Oh, good good !' echoed the others. 1 A man convinced against his will, la of the tame opinion still ;' but every ono knows ho has lost the game.' 'I tell you I've not,' he roplied. stamping his feet on the ground, ' and; I'll prove it out of that fellow's own text-book.' Vincent reddened at tho term, but remained calm. ' He pinshis faith,' continued Mackisson 'on every word that falls from tho pen of that old poculator' 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, aa elsewhere, tho vast superiority of temper over passion was amply manifest. Vincent, as I have already observed, win not a general favourite; but the made in which iic had conducted himself throughout tho discussion, won considerably upon the eiteen of his companions. Above all, the moderation under provocation which he had shown, far from detracting from their good opinion, tended rather to enhance it. Thus will forbearanco usually receive its due homage, although we may not at all times be enabled to emulate it. Mackisson, on tho other hand, lost much of the good opinion of his own snpporteri ; and, tho 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 wny to a sense of thn unworthincss of its object ; but jealousy ever nourishes and prolongs the causo which excites it ; and the very self-esteem which, in the case of hatred, contributes to allay the passion, here, by a depreciating comparison, perpetuates it. Had Mackisson been simply angry, a few hour? would have sufficed to allay the feeling ; but being also jealous, wo find him days subsequently nourishing his resentment, and seeking to avenge himself in a manner peculiarly characteristic. Inferiority, and tho publicity which had accompanied tho last manifestation of it, wore the causes of Mackisson's jealousy. It therefore became his object to lessen its degreo in any possible shape, accompanied with equal publicity.' }How, he reflected, could that object be attained ? All contest with Vincent in debate of general acnuirement, ho 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 tho reputation of being an expert player. Was it possiblo to contend with him at this game — to vanquish him with his own weapons? Oh what triumph for him, Mackisson! what humiliation for his opponent if it were ! And it should be possible ! Nights and days would he devote to all tho intricaciei of tho game, to all th« mysteries of the several moves ; and then, when ho had rendered him&elf master of them, then he would challenge and conquer his opponent, under circumstances that should obliterate tho momory of all past discomfitures. J Mackisson had energy and perseveranco, and somo talent, although of a second grade. To resolve to prosecuto tho study of tho 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 tho same time invitations to all thfir mutual acquaintances to bo there. Vincent went, and found to his surprise many persons assembled. Tho feeling, howover, noon wore oft". Mackisson was unusually gay, and somewhat marked in his attentious to Vincent. Tho latter, regarding this conduct as tho

result of a desire (o ntono lor tho occur" renep of the last meeting, responded with cordiality. At length Mackisson proposed to Vincent that they should pl;iy a u,;\mo of chess. 'I suppose,' he added, ' there is very little probability of my bemii conqueror, having but within the last few weeks acquired a knowledge oft he game.' The truth at once occurred to Vincent ; Mackisson had learned tho game to compete with him, and tho guests had been assembled to witness what he undoubtedly expected would bo his triumph. ' Mackisson,' observed Vincent, giving utterance to his suspicions, 'I perrcivo this is a preconcerted challengo?' ' I candidly confess it,' said 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 tho game five, to one on Mackisson ; four to one on Vincent.' &c. ' I accept tho challenge ' replied Vincent, inwardly determined, if possible, to allay for ever 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 ; ' wo shall ice.' ' I am magnanimous enough to inform you,' continued Mackisson, ' that unless you uso exceeding skill, the gamo is mine.' 'Well, then, if you will be so positive/ said Vincent, 'let mo in my turn inform you that you shall bo check* mated in my four next moves.' ' Pooh, pooh !' exclaimed Mackisson, ' you dream : 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.' 'Bo it so; check with my other castle.' ' Well, I move out of cheok ; that makes two raovei.' ' Check with my castlo again.' ' Ha, ha, ha ! 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 Mnokisson — ' 'tis false ! I'm not checkmated !' and then, a moment after, seeing that the game was lost, he swore a terrible oath, and flung the board and men to tho extreme end of tho apartment. There was an end to the hilarity of the remainder of the evening, and the guests ■oon after separated. From simple jealousy, Mackisson's feeling's towards Vincent were now converted to hatred. The pit which ho had dug for another he had fallen in himself, and ho now regarded that other with tho bitterest feelings of animosity. No means were left unexplored which he thought could injure — no devices untried which appeared calculated to wreck hii revenge. One of the most important attempts of thii nature occurred but a few weeks subsequent to the date of the ■cene just described. 'Do you know young Vincent P' inquired a gentleman at the house of a third party, on an occasion when Mackisson was present. 'Very slightly,' they replied ; 'what of him? 1 'Nothing of moment,' rejoined the inquirer ; ' but I have some reason for learning the character he bears.' 'By tho by,' observed one of tho company, ' Mackisson may be in a situation to afford you the necessary information, apply to him.' The party addressed himself to Mackision- ' I know Vincent well, replied the latter ; 'very well indeed*' 'Lot me hear something of him.' ' "W by, 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. ' Tho fact is,' added Mackinson, appearing suddenly to recollect himself, ' 1 should not like to report anything to Vincent's discredit.' ' Discredit !' ejaculated the other, ' I have been led to believe him a very exemplary young man.' ' I make use of the term discredit,' continued Mackisson ; ' but I perceivo I havo 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 peace,' said Mackisson. To further solicitation, ho replied, ' I beg to assure you, sir, that I know (with much emphasis on tho word) nothing calculated to effect cur good opinions of Vincenni character.' ' Can you not tell me something of this young man which may dissipate these doubts ?' laid tho enquirer, addressing himself generallyto those present. 'Wo know nothing of him,' they replied, ' except that he is very reserved, and is not a general favourite.' One other attempt did the party make to obtain some explicit information from Maokisson, but the reply added the more to his perplexity. ' It dose not become me,' said Mackiison, ' to repeat that which might, aftor all, be but ths result of unfounded suspicions.' Mackisson was aware that a vague allegation ofttimes more surely blights the character of an individual than any definito charge. The mind has in the former case the entire circle of offences through which to wander : in the latter, but a solitary segment of the circle. should not understand Mackiison's character aright, were wo to suppose that ho 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 cunning to wear tho milk 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 plnoed in his hands. Its contentswere calculated greatly to surprise him. A distant relative, possessed of considerable wealth, had died, leaving him his heir; and tho letter requested that Vincent would at his earliest convenience, favour the writer with an interview. Vincent, therefore, immediately repaired to the address of tho party (an attorney), from whom he learned all the particulars of his good fortune. There ia but one portion of tho conversation hold on the occasion to which it is necessary to refer. ' You see, my dear sir,' said the attorney, ' what friends we havo in tho world. Had I placod implicit confidence in the character furnished mo of you by your friend, you never would have inherited the splendid fortune now at your command.' ' This is not the only favour of tho kind which I havo to placo to his account, as he shall

some day know,' said Vincent . and having 1 made certain arrangements with the I attorney, ho returned home. Our hero was now, hko nil his 1 prototypes, in possession of a lnrgo in- ' come ; and although generally fis retiring \ and reserved n<? heretofore, he was admitted to be, by somo species of ninfjie ; perfectly familiar to men of the world, ii > very fluo fellow. His cntertainmiMits I were not sufficiently frequent; but there } w«8 something so chnito about those • which he f^ave, that every allowance was • to bo made. Jfis conversation was not [ racy, but then hia wine was of the first vintage ; and so oh. It was evident that > Vincent, wealthy and independent, was a f much more important personage, and had 1 far more extensive privileges allowed him, ; than Vincent, a clerk and dependent. Well, at one of those chaste entertainl # ments given by our hero were assembled many guests, among whom were I Mackisson and other acquaintances of 1 early duyi. The cloth had been removed 1 and wine brought on. During h temporary !• cessation in tho conversation, Vincont remarked, addressing himself to his 1 guests, 'By tho by* gentleman, let me tell 1 you I have recently discovered so atrocious 1 a combination of hypocrisy, malice, and ■ ingratitude, that I am assured, when I 1 relate to you the circumstances, and name tho party, known to you all, you will unanimously eject him from your socioty.' 1 Who is he ? who is ho ?' echoed from all sides; and Hf^ckision's voice was heard among vcry^h^lalthough ho experienced a feeling amounting to suffocation. I'll name him presently ;' and then producing - somo papors, Vincent continued — ' this individual and I have been ou terms of intimacy from our earliest years, and never on ono occasion, I am assured, have I given him just cause for an angry feeling. Of me he has always exhibited a degrco of jealousy thai was unaccountable; but I have never striven to allay it. He has insulted me, but I have pasted by his insults unnoticed. He has endeavoured to blight my character and to wreck my fortune, but I have forgiven it all. On a particular occasion, he had so planned as to render me, but for a happy chance, the ridicule of our mutual friends ; but I fortunately escaped the toils he had set for me. From that moment his dvery sentiment has seemed ingulfed in one of revenge, and ho has resorted to every device which he thought calculated to effect my ruin, The more adroitlyi however, to veil his schemes, he professed a reviving attachment to me. While he secretly undermined, or attempted to undermine, my reputation, he openly exhibited his apparent friendship ; while he stealthily sought to mar my prospect, he outwardly courted my locietly ; while he strove to wreck my happinesi, he seemed only anxious to promote it.' A pau3e enabled the guests to express in the strongest terms the unpardonable ignominy of such conduct. Mackisson's situation may be conceived, but not expressed. Vincent continued— 'l do not, gentlemen, speale unadvisedly, or without authority. Tho fortune I now possess had been lost, had his report of my character been received, I can produce an attorney on whoso credulity ho played successfully f<sr a time. My hopes of domestic felicity wero basely threatened. Hero is a letter infamously maligning my conduct to a lady whom I have the honour to esteem, and which letter I am enabled to trace as emanating from his hands. He has 'carried his hostility and bis envenomed feelings, for aught I know, up to this very moment of time ; for here is anothor letter dated to-day, addressed to one of my most intimate friends, scandalously, yet secretly as he imagined, misrepresenting circumstances which transpired between us.' Vincent again paused, and glancing his eyes slowly around the table, permitted them to rest fixedly tor a moment, but only for a moment, on Mackisson. The latter was exceedingly pale. What think | you, gentlemen,' he again continued, ' should be the punishment of such a wretch ? ' It is impossible to suggest one | too ignominious,' observed a guest. 'He ' should be scourged beyond the limits of * respectable society,' said another^ 'He should be publicly whipped,' cried a third. , Mackisson's agony was intense as he contemplated the probable accumulation , of all this wrath on his own head. ' ' Name him !' shouted a fourth. Ho ' started. This indeed was what he I dreaded : this indeed would be the acm6 of shami/ and humiliation. To be pointed j at as a hypocrite, an in grate, a liar ! Oh ' how bitterly he repented havyig given way to an unprincipled, jealousy and a f eelicg of malicious revenge ! He would have given much to have crept out silently and ' unobserved. The overwhelming sentence ' of social excommunication would then pass over comparatively unheeded. But escape was impossible. Ope faint hope presented itself. Would Vincent relent I Oh no ! — there was no compassion in that indignant voice — no mercy in that determined look. ' Name him !' shouted tho voice ; ' name him ! (Mackisson felt a sickening sensation at heart ; hii 1 brain reeled) — name him, that wo may brandhim as anunprincipled wretch, and base defaulter.' ' I will not name him,' said Vincent calmly ; ' he knows tho obloquy he has incurred, and will appreciate my present forbearance and forgiveness. , Mackisson at that moment felt that he could die to servo tho man whom lie had hitherto lient every energy to embarrass and defame.