The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-09-08

fair sex; he returned their partially, but
his attentions went no further than flirting;
he was fond of his bottle at the same time,
and although not spendthrift, was as ex-
pensive as he possibly could be, without
dipping into his principal; he always rode
good horses and spared no price; thus mere
" his life run on. Different avocations sep
arated us: the army took me to India, and
there ] read of TOMS marriage at Harrow
gate paid little attention TO the circum-
stance: " a large fortune (" quoth l to my
self, "some heavy temptation, powerful
charms" but the money seemed the most
likely: gave the matter NO further thought
until returned, nearly dozen years after
wards, to England. Paying morning visit
in Dover-street, saw Mr.. Truelove's card
rack, and determined to call upon him, an
tcipating much pleasure in talking over old
stories, and in banterng him on his former
habits and protestations, his defying the
charms of the fair, and his praises OF the joys
of bachelors life / also promised myself
at least one jovial 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 to scorn who failed in this particular,
slespising pcttcoat government, undue ia
t1uence, &c. &c. &c. | knocked at his door,
which was opened by modest looking foot
man Ca rara aus, in the west end of the
town. els your master at homer" said /.
" ] don't exactly know sir" replied the foot
man, 81 am but just come i'll, but will go
up stairs and see your name if you please"
gave my name, and begged of him to add,
that had been but few days in town, ar
rived from abroad, and had been one OF his
Oldest acquaintances deeming this precau-
ton necessary, as old 'acquaintances have
/ 81, ,,I,o .~I
my heart for had warm regard fer Tom,
and felt an emotion which every warm
heart must experience, at the little inte-
resting uncertainty of how an old friend
may be, how fortune may have treated him,
whether his regard and sincerity correspond
with our own, and the lke-sensations ca
sier imagined than expressed. What blight
| is cold reception under these circumstan-
ces! how wrinkles, premature age, the bloom
Of the cheek faded the impression of sick
ness, shock the beholder! Poverty ! apprc-
hcnded not: Tom had a thousand per an
hum as a single man, and doubtless would
have provided for an Increased establish
ment, and for the contingent expenses of
wedock. l listened attentivcly, half hoping
to be called up stairs by my christian name,
by himself | almost prayed that his voice
migat be strong, and its tone lively and COR
dial: 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 Cali again.
Whilst fumbipg for my address card, the
tootman came back saying, My master is
at home to you, but to no che else; - very
Aattering, thought |, and | assembled the
staircase, four stairs at time, in the f1utter
OF pleasure. | entered, and found Tom with
a book i'll his hand, one child between his
knees, another teazing him at the back of
the chair, high dressed lady opposite to
him, experimenting the work of a pretty
little GIRL and a fourth child with paper
fools cap, biubbering i'll corner; he rose
up and took me by the hano, pressed his
III mine most heartily, "My dear Tom am
delighted to see you" exclaimed l, and then
made my obeisaHce to madame; his was a
smile in return, Eut such a smile AS that
where Kindness and regret meet and mingle
together,--a sigh and smile struggled tor
mastery: he motioned me to sit by him, and
then, releasing the little school-boy from his
task, and from his situation between his
knees, he said, "go away with you, stupid
little creature, there's no making you learn
any thing; heish hof' Away run the dull
scholar, whilst the boy at the back of the
char pulled his fathci's ears, by way of fun.
:" Have done, you wicked little plague"
cried he: at which moment the girl in the
corner cried most distressfully, and mama's
=, companion pricked her finger with a needle,
and screamed like screach owl.
"a pretty family concert" observed Tom
to me, with shrus OF his shoulders.--' Yes,
but you have very fine children" said /,
wishing to Calm matters: "ypu are happy
: fellow" this lit up smile and a welcome
together from madame. l interposed to
have the fools cap removed, and to have
: the penance rcmitted, and WAS in the act of
applying court plaster to the other girls
{ wounded finger, when she gave me a slap in
u the face, and added to Il, "you hurt me
YOU do, you nasty man.. p" Turn them all
! out,' loudly vociterated my friend whereon
= the whole four gave tongue together, in
- groans, moans, lachrymosc accents, and
:, lamentations, and ran out one after the other.
b Madame angrily accented, Stupid man,
y you always expect more of children than
% they can perform-l never saw any thing
i like you." In order to change the subject,
Y asked if he had any more childrens An
y y, yes, six more-ten in all, plenty of children,
= and plenty Of trouble with them" (Mad.
= anne y" And if YOU had none you'd be al
~ ways complaining; men are the most con.
% % Trajectory beings on earth" "Win you
"a dine with US tomorrow ~ said he to me
= (Matlamc)-" No, dear, we are engaged
- -" Humph; madam can contradict too,
:. ,e said to my yself; then Oh Thursday" re