Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-12
He now stood on the verge Of ruin,
and those who had shared his substance

and those who had shared MS suostahce
looked coldly and carelessly ON It's wreck,
while the unhappy Courtney, driven al
most to madness, could scarcely beiieve
the perfdy Of the world he had implicit
/, trusted. lie was not, however, with
out comforter AT this hour OF trial,
the virtues OF his child became more
fully developed, as the gem CLEANS
brphtes through the shades Of darkness.
Her affection deepening in its intensity
as its object was deserted by others; her
fortitude, her cheerlulbess, now came
over his scorched and wilhered heart
with LaImy influence. Their family
seat was to be publicly sold, and the
fearful day arrived While it was yet
crying, a new purchaser appeared, ap-
parenIly from a distance. His horse
dripped with speed, aud his countenance'
was pale and agIrated. The property, as
is frequent in such cases, was going at
half its value, and the stranger bid it off.
Mr.. Courtney was still The occupant.
and the new proprietor called on him
Immediately. Isabel had at that mo-
ment left her father for some domestic,
call; and the unfortunate man was mus
ing on their impending expulsion from
their present residence when Alvah
Hamilton stood suddenly before him.
! Welcome, most welcome to my
HEART, dear Alvah,' he exclaimed, Il
can no longer welcome you to my HOME.
You have come but to witness my re-
moval from all that was once mine. /
am here only en- sufferance.-To-mor--
row, may have no shelter on my head
Not so,' cried Alvah, you have yet
shelter; your present home is still
yours, and no earthly power can drive
you from it!
What mean you?' said the breath
less Courtney.
Fourteen years SINCE he replied,
'you presented my father q sum which
then preserved him from want, and pro-
cured me subsequent wealth. He re-
ceived it but as loan, and that debt
devolved on me. True, you disclaimed
it, but it was yet uncanceIled. Reluc-
tant to offend you, delayed its dis
charge, though the amount was long
since appropriated in my Imagination for
! tHdt pOSc ~ udS lOt,uoMCsct ,idiu
The profits of the house in which, some
years ago, became a.parlner, have been
considerable Your little capital has ac.
quircd its share, and its amount has, this
day redeemed your forfeited estate Bya.
mere accident | had seen il advertised,
and lost no time IN Fastening hiher.
And now,' he added, taking the hand of
fnn xp,fh Vu6t
'Will you not welcome your Alvah to
your home? 1t is long sIrce you gave
me check on your friendship. have
come TO claim il, -and surely you can"
no longer refuse the title Of my benefac-
tor, when from your bounty 1 have de-
ceived not merely wealth, but the unut--
terabe pleasure Of this moment
Mr. Courtney wcpt. The thought
less man of the world wept at the So
cred triumph of virtue. Alvah himself
was overcome with the scene, and pa
ced the flour in silence. A portrait of
: Isabel hung directly opposite him, and
it now caught his eye. Starting back
with amazement, he gazed at it as at
lovely phantom. 1t looked, indeed, like
thing Of iife-the blue eye seemed TO
: beam with expression through its long
ashes, and there was surely breath on
, the deep red lip. Just so the auburn
} hair was parted on her white forehead
when he lest saw--just so its shin
ing ringlets strayed over her snowy
! neck.
Tell me- he at length exclaimed,
turning to Mr.. Courtney, 'who is the
: original of this picturep
Surprised at the agitation of his man.
ner, MIR. Courtney replied,
J 'Have you seen her"
? 'Seen herr o yes! her image has
heen long, long engrcven on my heart;
, but of her name | am yet is gnorant.'
Her namo is Courtney said the as
tonshed father. 'She is my only
Child
Gracious heavenn exclaimed Al
vah-' what new excitement awaits me!'
'May | ask the cause Of this emotion.
, Alvah! how, or in what manner have
you known my beloved Isabel"
Alvah gave a wild and passionate de-
scription Of their early and limited ac-
, quaintance; and the long concealed at
. tachment of his daughter was at once
. revealed to the heart of Mr. Court-
!, ney.
|. Tell me- he said, taking the throb-
, bing hand of his young friend, tell me,
. Alvah in sacred faith, If this imperfect
i knowledge of my child has awakened q
: = sentiment of tenderness"
Alvah flung himself into his arms.
!, 'Ah sir, have no, cherished hor