Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-02

er, in whose general cleverness she had
great confidence, had been absent OIL
one of his excursions, almost as long as
her son--and time pressed upon her
for the letters, sent with the usual indi-
rectness Of country conveyance. origi-
nally given to the carrier, confidcd by
the carrier to the butlerman to the next
village, left for three days at public
house, and finally, delivered at Hilton
Cross, by a. return post boy, had been
nearly a week on the road. Saturday
was the day fixed for payment, and this
was Friday night, and Michaelmas and
rent-day were approaching. and unable
even to look at this accumulation Of mis-
cry, poor Judith laid her head on her
fruilless account book, and sobbed aloud!
1t was with strangely mingled feel
ing of comfort in such a son, and sorrow
50 to greve him, that she heard Roberts
voice at her side, asking tenderly, what
allied her! She put the letters into his
hands; and he, long prepared for the
blow, soo;hed and cheered her. "All
must be given up," he said; and he would
60 with her, the next day, to make over
the whole property" Let US pay, as far
as our means go, mo,her," pursued he,
and do not fear but, some day or 9TH
er, we shall be enabled TO discharge all
our debts. God will speed an honest
purpose. In the mean time, MIR. Les
combc will. give us cottage-I know
he willard shall work for you and
Mary II will be something to live for
something worth living for. Be comfort
ed, dear mother" He stopped, as he
said this, and kissed her; and when he
arose, he saw Susan standing opposite
TO him, and behind her the stranger
They had entered separately, during the
conversation between the mother and
son, aud Susan was still unconscious Of
the strangers presence. She stood, in
great agitation, pressing EIary's hand,
(from whom she had heard the story,)
and Immediately began questioning Mrs.
Kent, as to the extent of the calamity.
She had twenty pounds of her own,
that her grandmother had left her-but
hundred! Did they want a whole hun
dred? And would they send Mrs. Kent
to prison and sell her goods' and turn
Mary out of doors: and Robert-Ob,
how i'll Robert lookcd!-lt would kill
Robert" .'Oh," continued Susan,
wrnging her hands, /" l would sell my
self for bondswoman,-l would be like
negro slave for one hundred pounds"
"Would your" said the stranger, ad-
waning suddenly from the door and pro-
ducing two bank bills, "would you! well
we will strike bargain. will give you
two hundred pounds for this little hand
only this little hand!" Wha, do you
mean, Sir?" exclaimed Mrs. Kent, "what
can you mcan'" Nothing but what is
fair and honourable," returned her lodg-
err: "and here are two hundred pounds
to dispose Of at her pleasure, tonight"
Susan! my dear Susan'" "Let her
alone MOTHER" interrupted Robert, "she
must choose for herself !-and for few
moments there was dead silence
Robert stood leaning against the wall,
pale as marble, his eyes cast down and
his lips compressed in state Of forced
composure Mrs. Kent, her head turn
ing now towards the bank notes, and
now towards her son, was in state Of
restless and uncomfortable instability;
Mary clung crying about her mother;
and Susan, her colour varying, and her
lips quivering, safe unconsciously twist
ing and untwisting the bank notes in her
hand
"Well, Susanw said the artist, who
had remained in tranquil expectation,
surveying the group with his falcon eye,
"Well, Susan! have you determined"
The colour rose to her temples, and she
answered firmly, eyes sir! be pleased
to take back the notes. love nobody
but Robert, and Robert loves me dearly,
l know he does! Oh, Mrs. Kent! you
would not have mo vex Robert-your
own aear son,--and he SO iIl--would
your Let them take those things! they
never can be so cruel as to put you in
prison--you, who were always so kind!
and he will work for you, and l will
work for you! Never mind being poor!
better any thing than falsehearted to my
Robert!'--" God forever bless you,
my Susan!"--" God bless you my
dear child!'--burst, at once, from
Robert and his mother, as they alternate
ly folded her in their arms.
Pray, take the netes, sir! repeated
Susan, after a short interval. +" No!
that will not do,'' replied the stranger
smiling. "The notes shall bo yours
are yours--and what is more, on my
own conditions! Meet me at church
tomorrow mOrninp and | will have tha