Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1821-02-13

4
1t was Dot SO at Try fathers house.
Misfortunes seldom come siDgly. Scarce
lily had our feelings overcome the shock
which they received BY The loss Of our be-
loved Duncan, when more terrible mis-
fortune overlook us. My father, by the
INDUSTRIOUS iDgratitnde of d friend whom he
trusted, LOST at once the greater part Of
his hard earned fortune. The blow came
unexpectedly, aud distracted bis personal
affairs to such a degree, that an arrange
ment SCENE dalmost totally impracticable.
He struggled on with securities for several
months; but perceiving that he was draws
/ ing his real friends into danger, by their
signing of bonds which he might never be
ssss!ss- 70 redeem. he Lost heart entirely. and
yielded to the torrent. Mary's mind SEEM
| ed TO gain fresh energy every day. The
activity aud diligence which she evinced
in managing the affairs of the farm, and
even 10 giving advice with regard TO 9th.
er matters, is quite incredible ;-often
have | thought what treasure that in
estimable girl would have been to an in
dustrions man whom she loved. All our
efforts availed nothing my father receive
ed letters Of horning on bills to large
amount and we expected every day that
he would be taken from us aud dragged to
prison.
| We we're all sitting 10 our little room
one day, consulting what was best TO be
done--we could decide upon nothing, for
our case was desperate-we were fallen
into a kind Of stupor, but the window
being up, a sight appeared that quickly
thrilled every heart with the keenest SEN
sation Of anguish. Two men came riding
sharply up by the back Of the old school
house. " Yonder are the officers Of JUS
lice now said my mother, "what shall
we do 2 We hurried to the window,
aud all Of us soon discerned that they
were 10 other than some attorney, accom-
panied by sherifi's officer. My mother
entreated oi my father 10 escape AM! hide
himself until this first storm was over
blown, but he would 10 no wise consent,
assuring us that he had done nothing Of
which he was ashamed. and that be was
determined to meet every one face to face,
and let them do their worst so finding
all our entreaties vain, we could do moth
ing bat sit down and weep. Atlcngth we
heard the noise Of their horses at the
door. g You had better take the mems
horses. James" said my father. g az there
| is no other man at hand" ssWe will stay
till they rap, if you please" said /. The
cautious officer did not however rap, but
| afraid lest his debtor should make his
escape, he jumped lightly from his horse,
aud hasted into the house. When we
heard him open the outer door, and
his footsteps approaching along the entry,
our hearts tainted within us-he opened
the door, aud stepped into the room---it
was Duncan our own dearly beloved
Duncan. The women uttered an invol-
untary scream OF surprize, but my father
ran and got hold Of one hand, ami Of the
other--my mother, TOO, soon had him in
her arms, but our embrace was short; for
bis eyes fixed on Mary. who stood trem-
bling with joy and wonder 10 corner Of
the room, changing her color every mo-
ment; he snatched her up ia his arms,
and kissed her lips, and ere ever she was
aware, her arms encircled his neck. so
my dear Mary" said he, g my heart has
been i'll at ease since left you, but I
burst not then tell you word ofmy mind,
| for little knew how was to find affairs
] in the place where was going but ah
you little elusive rogue, you owe NE
/ another, for the one you cheated me out
/! Of tben;' so saying he pressed his lips to
j her cheek, and then lead her to a seat.
q Duncan then recounted all his adven-
Z lures TO us, with every circumstance Of
his good forlune-=our hearts were upl:fted
almost past bearing-all our cares and
sorrows were now forgotten, and we we're
Z once more the happiest little group that
| ever perhaps sat together. Before the
J cloth was laid for dinner, Mary ran out to
S put on her white gown, and comb her
r yellow hair, but was surprised at meeting
] with smart young gentleman 10 the
J kitchen, with scarlet neck on bis COAT,
) and gold-laced hat. Mary, having never
: seen SO fine gentleman, made him low
j courtesy, and offered 70 conduct him to
! the room; but he smiled and told her he
was the squire's servant. We had all of
US forgot to ask for the gentleman that
!; came with Duncan.
: Duncan and Mary walked for two hours
| in the garden that evening--we did not
: know what passed between them, but the
! next day he asked her 10 marriage Of my
: parents, and never will forget the SUI
4 preme happiness and gratitude that beamed
: in every face on that happy occasion. /
I oeed not tell my readers that my fathers
: affairs were soon retrieved, or that ac-
companied my dear Mary bride to the
\, TT:chl,,ds ard had tho cat;eco~t;ov, nf