Detestation of the man's crimes took away all
pity from the common sentiment in regard to him. A sentence of five
years' expiation in the State prison closed the career of Ralph
Dewey in S-----, and all men said: "The retribution is just."
Squire Floyd lost everything, and narrowly escaped the charge of
complicity with Dewey. Nothing but the fact of their known
antagonism for some two or three years, turned the public mind in
his favor, and enabled him to show that what appeared collusion, was
only, so far as he was concerned, fair business operations. With the
wreck of his fortune he came very near making also a wreck of his
good name. Even as it was, there were some in S----who thought the
Squire had, in some things, gone far beyond the rule of strict
integrity.
Judge Bigelow, thanks to the timely and resolute intervention of Mr.
Wallingford, stood far away from the crashing wrecks, when the storm
swept down in fearful devastation. It raged around, but did not
touch him; for he was safely sheltered, and beyond its reach.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Two years have passed since these disastrous events; and twenty
years since the opening of our story.
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