The Wilmingtonian., 1824-03-25
T, at So So per annumpayable half yearly in advance

|Artently, Etllat ms CH1luTeU SnOun .T'W up
i'm lie had felt the pure and heaven-'ike eh'
Iioyment of philanthropy himself, and he was de-
lvotedy bent m inst eicting his offspring III the
manner best calculated to insure their success 10
Ibis virtues and delights. A. that he could do ny
Iprecept and example to effect this object he DID
most religiousy.
But Mr.. Montcrief was, at length. called by q
chain of singular and unexpected circumstances,
Ito make sacrifice, no less than that of long Sc.
Iparaion from beloved family bright pros
pee, OF wealth opened 10 emi race 1t required
residence of several years in India lie thought
the demands of du urged him not to hesitate
He resolved to accept; and calling his tami'y u
round him took long farewel-enjoned it upon
them to scatter blessings around with the mosf
liberal hand their civ cumstances would allow. nc
kind. said he my children, be generous, be cons
passionate to the poor and needy, and consider
that day misspent in which you do not minister
Ito the wants or misfortunes Of age and helpless
lness
| They parted with mutual tears, and the good
father pursued his journey to the east while his
children, under the care of a venerable aunt, obs
served for a long time, the pious and solemn N.
function Of their sire. But the impression of his
parting words died gradually away-their habit
| ual charities deprived them of many OF the fash"
Iionable lnxnries Of the day; and month after
lmonth some old pracised charity was omitted,
The poor less frequently gathered at the mansions
1.-THE orphans were at length forsaken, and the
widow WAS left TO pine in the hopelessness of sor
row The children grew up young ladies and
Igentlemen---their plain dresses were exchanged
'Ifor others OF gayer make and finer texture they
drank the breath of Aattery and extravaganza.
laud at.last exceeded the long established habits
S lof economy.
q The change was seen and lamentcd, but in
lvain, and the poor clasped their hands and wept,
As at the return OF the once cheering christmas
Il eve, they were repulsed from the door by frown.
j ing servants, and saw the crowd OF fashion, and
houghtle ssness, and gaiety, that thronSeo 10 the
! hall at Montcriefs.
Z So completely had few years prostrated the
od customs and feelings Of this family, that they
became almost as celebrated for unkindness to
U suffering humanity they had been for their
y kindness in earlier days. The children now set
''their dogs on the poor creatures who came coca
sonally from distance TO solicit reef, and IN the
c loftiness of pride looked down with sovereign
J. contempt OH soiled kerchief or tatercd coat.
o -Four years elapsed after the departure OF
y MIR. NJ and bis family gained to themselves the
y character of the most hardhearted, haughy, and
{ tyranncal people in the country.
!, 1t was about the expiration of this period that.
|one bitter night in December, while the snow, all
y ready fourteen inches deep, was falling rapidly.
and tive sky seemed burthened with the plack-
it ness of s,orms that loud rapping was heard at
l. the door of the young Montcrict's who were a.
;lmusng themselves at cards, beside a flre IN the
hIparlour One of them went to the door, and on
10 opening it, beheld before him feeble, bowed
s,|lown old man, wrapped up in ragged garments
IS with huge walking stick and large bundle in
,-his hand He pulled of the remnant OF hat and
|bent almost to The ground covered as he was with
e he snow, while he craved In the name OF God,
dsheter from the bitter storm, and food to preserve
linn from furnishing. ga damn'd beggar," said
Ihe beardless young man. "Ho, Jack, Tom, Har-
|ry. YOU rascsls, call the dogs, they'll warm you
william, do you hear; run, run, run, as he push
Iel the feeble old man headlong in the snow.
i. Your dogs" said the beggar, slowly rising,
ls have more humanity than to harm me; they
lhaye hearts, "Ha! ha!-iet us see" was the
|r. ply; "Here Towser"-the old house dog came
lont fercely, but when he the stranger, instead
slof rending him, he howed piteously and caressed
elhim. cit is as said," continued the beggar,
: |" will YOU be less compassionate than your beast
agan for Gods sake, for PHYS sake let me lie t"
~ night by YOUR kitchen fire" ." Not by heavens
s not in my hovel, or my dog-house, you wretch,
- bcpone, begone" He was about to strike the
n old man, when the remainder OF the young pso'
= plc gathered round him and restrained him. son,
/. brother don't strike the wretch; don't disgrace
4 Yourself; don't dirty your hands; go OFT old beg
a gar, come in brother-shut the door" He did 80,
= and the bepgar sought to move the compassion
/. OF the servants at the kitchen door 81 knew
4 YOUR old master," said he, he was kind to me
he was my friend, have pity me for his sake"
Finally he prevailed they allowed him some
# cruss of bread, while they rdcuied his mean sp'
Ipearance, his greasy cap that covered his fore.
head and his ears the black and dirty patch upon
/. his face, and his torn and miserable garments.
= 1t was not long before the young people heard
- I.bat the bergar had obtained admission to the
.Ikitchen The eldest son was outrageous, and
came out with horse whip to drive him gnom
,IniousIy from the house followed by the rest OF
1.-the family. The beggar rose as he advanced. and
!. answered volley of curses and brandlsh of the
Iwhp. with calmncss. "Your father would not
/. serve poor and unfortunate man in this base
q manner" "My father WAS fool" was the re-
: ply " nay" was the response, your father was
dla wiser and better man than you are, hold your
tlhand until you know who you are about to strike"
e There was a stern severity in these words, that
It |awed them all, and they stood mute while the
y vIpretended beggar threw down his cap-drew
iron his face patch that dishgured l,'s counte
nance, and throwing off his tattered CLOAK, $1,000
II before the astonshed group, PLAIN dressed ven,
/. lerable and stately man. They uttered general
. !shriek--lt was Montcrief himself.
Isl He had heard on his return, OF the change ms
E absence had wrought in his children, and IN that
dId;sr,;se he thus convinced himself OF their TN
p wof,hness. leave the reader to imagine the
d|rest, scattering took place; the proud sons
n| we're bound out apprentices, and the unworthy
eIIsuhters clad in their former homespun, were
looIr hair olA pen1up n,