Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-07-20

| :" !" "o' poverty, so fDuci! az
pretence, that harasses ruined man--tha
struggle between a proud man and m
empty purse-the keeping Up hollow
show that must soon come to an end
Have the courage to appear poor, and
you disarin poverty Of its sharpest sting ;" ,
On this point found Leslie perfectly pre-.
pared. He hat. no false pride himself
| and IS to his wife, she was only anxjous
to conform to their altered fortunes.
Some days afterw ards he called upon ma
in the evening. He had disposed of his
dwelling house. and taken small cottage
IN the country. a few miles from town
lie had been busted all day in sending out
furniture: The new establishment reouir.
ed few articles, and those of the simplest
kind. All the splendid furniture of bis Ia,e
residence had been sold. excepting his
wie's harp. That, he said, was too close
Nv associated with the idea OF herself. II
belonged to the little story Of their loves =;
Tor some OF the sweetest moments Of their
courtship We're those when he had leaned
over That Instrument, and listened to the
melting tones OF her voice. could no, but
smile al this instance OF romantic galaptry
in doatiag husband.
lie was now going out to the cottage.
where his vile had been all day, superin.
tending us a!rsns ement. My feelings had
become strongly interested in the progress,
OF This Family story, and as it was a fine
evening, offered to accompany him.
He was weafied with the taligues IF the
day, ald as we walked out, fell into fit of
gloomy musng.
Poor Mary!' at length broke, with .
he Wy sigh from his lips.
"And what OF her," asked I, "has any
thing harp ned to her?"
~ hat" said he, darting an impatient
glance, is itnohing to be reduced TO ili,
p'ltry situation TO be Gagged in misera-
bic cotage-to be obliged to Toll aImos,
in the mental concerns of her wretched h..
bitation 2"
Has she thin repined at The change?''
" Rcpined! she has been nothing but
sweetness and good humor. Indeed, she
seems in better spirits than | have ever
known her; she has been TO me all love
and tenderness, and comfort"
Admirable girl !" exclaimed I. "You
call yourself poor, my friend you never
were so rich-you never knew the bound.
less treasures OF excellency you possessed
in that woman
"Ob, but my friend, iftbis first meeting
at the cottage were over-I think could
then be comfortable. But this is her first
day OF real experience She has been in
Produced into AL humble dweIine-she has
been employed all day in arranging its MI.
serab.e equipments-she has for The first
time known the !liigue- OF domestic en-.
ploynent-sht ha- for the first time looked
around her ON home dtst ute of every
thing elegant, and Amos convenient; and
may no" he sitting down, exhausless and
spiritless, brooding over prospect OF fu-
ture poverty"
There was degree of probability in this
picture that ] could mol gainsay, 50 We
walked on in silence.
Alter turning from the main road, I'D a
narrow lane, SO thickly shaded by forest
trees, as to give it a complete air OF secIu.
SION, we came in sight Of The cottage. II
was humble enough IN its appearance for
the most pastoral poet; and yet it had a
pleasing rural look. Avid vine had over.
run one end with a prolusion of foliage a
few trees threw their branches gracefully
over it 4, and ] observed several pots Of
flowers tastefully disposed about the door,
and on the grass plot in front. A small
wicket gate opened upon foot path that
wound through some shrubber, TO the door.
Just as we approached, We heard the sound
Of music--Leslie grasped my arm we
paused and listened. ltwas Mary's voice,
in style of the most touching simplicity,
singing little air of which he, husbrnd was
peculiarly fond.
| felt Leslie's hand tremble on my arm.
He stepped forward, 10 hear more distinct.
ly. His step made noise on the gravel
walk. A bright beautiful face glanced out
OF the window, and vanished light foot.
step was heard-and Mary came tripping
forth to meet US. She was in petty ru.