Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-03-30

announcing US, bnt opened the door, ab.
ruptly and retired at once | stopped on
the threshold. contemplating the 'groupe
within.
There were two small children, girl
and boy, neatly dressed, playfulIy hug,
cling each other near cot, oil winch !
noted two, in opposite corners. Near the
Fireplace, in which few sticks were
burning, sat female of middle age and a
ger;eel exterior, making up linen: by her
side girl of about Is or Ia years DID,
with graceful air and intelligent coun-
tenance, also working; a little further,
man-a gentleman-of about 45 or 5O, OF
a sedate but mournful eye, pale, thin VI,
sage, negligent attire, resting his hama
fondly ON the head of an infant who sluu;-
beIed in hi. lap. The room had gloomy.
and damp aspect, and the tramplIbg OF
feet. the creaking OF hinges, and the clamor
of rude voices without, did not weaken
the eeneral'impression Of discomfort
entered singly--the mother and daughter
rose from their hard cbalrs-the father a.
looe knew my person-.he Immediately but
tenderly placed the infant in the mothers
arms, aud then pronounced my name
shall never forget the glance " hIch re-
ceived from the two iemaies--'t was one
of mingled reproach, resentment and pr
tsousness, subdued however, according
10 the habits OF good breeding and the
soflness of the sex-ihe two sporlive chi,
dren turned suddenly from their play, and
stood gazing as it they had heard .
sound with which they connected tear q
dislike. The debtor, with stedtast, hut
not offensive look, though with quivef-
ing lip, and trembling band, brought Tor"
ward a char, and requested me 10 be
seated, and asked me my pleasure AS
he did so. the wife and daughter WITHDREW
towards the COTS, endeavoriDg TO restrain
The Younger folks from EXPLANATIONS anu
close surveys, which could not have emil
Yened my mood.
stammered some .hing to the father a.
bout nv uDessiness 10 reColecting what
had happened; my regret at his sItuatIon;
INV title 10 complain of his conduct; the
dutv which owed to myself and family,
&c. He listened 10 me without embarrass.
ment; observed, when | appeared 10 have
done, that had exercised legal right,
and that he was not disposed TO upbraid
me or expostulate; and he then proceeded
to give me explanations, which he said
Wight relieve him from the suspicion OF
dishonesty or extreme levity in contracting
debt. upon which suspicion might have
acted. He soon made me sensible that
when he formed engagements with me, he
had reasonable confidence, from the
condition of his affairs, Of beirg sLle to ex-
ecute them punclual!y; and that his dlsap-
poin,nent and mine were owing to the de-
liaauency of persons whom be was war
raptsd in trusting, and 10 the opera 'on oi
those general causes which had produced
so much distress and embarra0s uent thrO'.
out the country. Your lawyer saw my
parlours neatly furnished, and mys II, wife
and children we'll clad; be knew that Our
domestic wants were gratihed, and that
educated the children al the usual ex>
pense-he concluded tha; might bave
surplus, or could contrive to pay you by
close retrenchment But il was indlspen-
sable to the success of my plans in bu:i-
ness that should keep up the appearance
OF some prosperity-my wife and myself
had been accustomed even to luxurIes-
in endeavoring to have our offspring libe-
rally instructed and trained, we gave way
only to the most powerful impulses OF The
heart. and 10 the consideration that they
would be the more able and eager to dts.
charge those obligations, which their Pa
rents might not be competent TO meet -
We practised all the thrift which situation
and sentiment, would admit: al that was
compatible with our purpose OF finally do
ing Justice to you. To destroy my credit,
was 10 incapacitate me in every way. You
were under wrong impressions, and IN.
derstood that you would not listen to the
real history of my case assume ioritude
and resignation here, to sustain the spirits
of my excellent wife, who will not be Sc
parated from ne--but my heart and hers
are sill wrung with grief at the ruin OF our
prospects for the little ones. But these are
in good health and fine dispositions; we
can work together, and procure sabsist-
ence, wheu we shall be extrIcated from
this place. My eldest boy and all the
others, except the youngest darling, sleep
at the house OF sister-in-law. We have
friends who would have come TO our re.
liet, but we did not wish merely to trans.
ter debt, and in SO doing possibly in]ure
those tor WHOM We we're bound to ieel
most regard
desired to hear no mOre--with cboak-
ed Wterance, | made this worthy man IN
derstand that would remove al once all
impeachment 10 his egress. His eye bright
ened--his wife and the children advanced,
having distinguished my emotion and IN
tention almost inluitvely:-l was saved
from scene of gratitude. which would
have been even more irksome than the one
OF sorrow, BY the entrance OF a tidy, active
female. and smar, lad, who proved to be
the sister in-law, and the eldest son. The
former carried baske, in Der hand, CO.
vered with white towel, and the chill
L., saa.asl L. L. .rnu aca,ainial iih