Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-09-06

into his principal; he always rode
good horses and spared no price; thus
merely his life u on. Different avo-
cations separated us: the army took
me to India, and l there read OF TOMS
marriage, at Harrowgate paid little
attention to the circumstance; "a large
fortune :" quoth l to myself, "some hea-
w temptation, powerful charms" but
the money seemed the most likely :
gave the matter no further thought VA
Ill I returned, nearly a dozen years al
forwards, to England. Paving a morn
ing visit in Dover-street, | saw Mr..
Truelove's cardrack, and determined
to call upon him, anticipating much
pleasure In talking ove old stories, and
in bantering him on his former habits
and protestations, his defying charms
of the fair, and his praises Of the Joys
Of a bachelors life | also promised
myself at least one iovial bout, certain
that Tom would live in excellent style,
and keep a good table, and have all
things, particularly his wife, in good
order; for he used to laugh men 10
scorn who failed in this particular, des-
pising petticoat government, under In
huence, SC. sc. sc. knocked a. his
door, which was opened bv a modes,
looking footman Ca rara qDis, in the
west end of the town.. SIS your mas
ter at home ," said 1. 81 dom exactly
know, Sir" replied the footman, 81
am bat inst come in, but will go IN
stairs and see; your if please"
l gave my name; and begged Of him to
add, that had been bu. a few Gays in
town, arrived from abroad, and had
been one Of his Oldest acquaintanccs,
deeming this ~pracaution necessary, as
old acquaintance have often 'ery short
memories: a lutter seized my heart,
for | had a warm regard for Tom, and
| felt an emotion which cyerv warm
heart must experience at the little IN
teresting uncertainty Of how an old
friend may be, how fortune may have
treated him, whether his regard md
sincerity correspond with our own,
and the demonstrations easier ,marl-
ned than expressed. What a blight
is a cold reception under these circnm-
stances how wrinkles, premature age,
the bloom Of the cheek faded, the I'M
preston of sickness, shock the behold.
err! Poverty | apprehend not: Tom
had a thousand per annum as a single
man, and doubtless would have provi-
ded for an increased establishment, and
for the contingent eXpences of wedlock
| listened attentive!y, half hoping to be
called up stairs, by my Christian name.
bv himself; almost prayed that his
voice might be strong. and its tone live
ly and cordial: l heard a female voice
only, and now concluded that he was
not at home, and that | must be kept
longer in suspense, and either wait for
his returning my visit, or call again.
Whilst fumbling for my address card,
the footran came back, saving, "My
master is at home to you, but no one
else :" very lattering, thought |, and I
assembled the staircase, four stairs at a
time, in the Antter of pleasure. en-
tered, and found Tom with a book in
his hand, one child between his knees.
another teazing him a, the back of he
chair, a high dressed lady opposite hin
experimenting the work Of a pretty
little girl, and a fourth child with a
paper fools cap, blubbering in a cor
ner; he rose up and took me by the
hand, 7 pressed his in mine most hear
tily, "My dear Tom ] am delighted to
see you," exclaimed l, and then made
nv obeisance to madame;-his was a
| smile in return, but such a smile as
that where kindness and regret meet
and mingle t~ogether,-a sigh and a
smile struggling for mastery: he mo-
toned me 10 sit by him, and then, re-
leasing the little school-boy from his
task, and from his situation between
his knees, he said, $50 away with you,
stupid little creature, there's no ma
king you learn any thing: heigh no !"
Away run the dull scholar, whilst the
boy at the back Of the chair pulled his
falheI's ears by way of fun. "Have
done, you wicked little plague" cried
he: at which moment the girl in the
corner cried most distressfuiIy, and
mama's companion pricked her finger
with a needle, and screamed like a
screach owl. GA pretty family con-
cert" observed Tom to me, with a
shrug of his shoulders. "Ves, but you
have very fine children" said l, wish
ing to calm matters; "you are a happy
fellow" this lit up a smile and a wei.
come together from madam. inter.
posed 10 have The fools cap removed,
and TO have the penance RENTED, and
was in the act of applying court plais,
ter to the other girls wounded finger.
when she gave me a slap in the face,
and added 10 it, "you hurt me, you do,