Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-12

The entrance Of Alvan himSoH insot-
ru,ted the conversati6n. He had brought
svine little dellcacies for his father, the
avails Of his days labour.
Il have just been thinking, said Mr..
Courtney, of making some arrangements
with the appreciation Of your father, for
your future establishment. | grievc to
see boy ofPromiss thus losing the spring
time OF liie.'
you forget, sir said Alvah, respect
fully bowing, that can embrace no
proposal that would separate me from my
father, however advantageous
Certainly nor in his present situation;
but have friends here, who will readily
assist me in making suitable provision
for his support, and you may then be Pu!
to business that will secure future COM
petence.'
'Impossible, sir! My father can have
no claims like those on his son. IT'S a
short season only since my weakness re-
CURED his support, and shall | now trans
fer the duties of filial gratitude to the
hand of charity!'
Mr.. Courtney knew not what to reply.
sDo not think me ungra,eful for your
proffered Kindness, continued the boy,
while his dark eye swan in tears, and
every trace of pride suddenly gave place
to the lveliest expressions OF gratitude;
Il feel most deeply your benevolent 500
licitude for my interest, but indeed, sir,
l am perfectly happy in my present con-
dition. My father, too, is satisfied with
tho slender provision my labour affords,
and should It hereafter become insuffic-
lent, will not scruple to ask the aid OF
benevolence.'
Mr.. Courtney was affected The SOL
der had again leant his head over his
staff, and was probably invoking blessings
on the head of bis son! A storm had
commenced, and the sleet was even then
dripping through the broken roof. Mr..
Courtney rose to depart.
'Must l then go,' he exclaimed, with.
out rendering you any servicci Will
you not even accept, and he put his hant
in his pocket-but Avah drew back with
an expression that answered the untin
ished sentence. The old man gave hin
his hand with smile Of benignity.
Accept my thanks, sir and suffer me
to crave the name of him who has thus
sought the dwelling Of poverty
The stranger gave his name and ad
dress, and receiving a promise that the,
would seek him in future need reluctantly
left them.
Mr.. Courtney was a man of feeling
but he was also man Of pleasure; and
with the votaries of dissipation, the sof
and holy whisperings Of benevolence arr
too often lost in more seductive strains
The scene he had now witnessed had
however, awakened all his better princi
pies. The dign,fed submission of thu
father proud humility of the son
preferring the most servilo labour to tn
: shadow ofdependence- his deep but qui
ct tenderness for his unfortunate parent
and his perfect exemption from selfs
feeling-all were deeply impressed o.
their v,sitant Ii an intercourse with tn
good, influences even cold and torp
hearts--as is beautifully exempified b.
, the Persian fable of the piece Of clay tha
became an odorilerous substance by tn
contact Of the rose-that influence mus
be strong indeed on the soul of feeling
The breath of corrupt world may dir
!, the native gems Of the heart, but let tn
language ofpure and elevated sentimen
be heard, and the chords Of responsive
, feeling will at once awaken like the sleep
ing tones of harp attuned by the wind
of heaven. For little time, the pag
eantry of the world lost its power on tn
mind ofthe gay Courtney, and the haunt
of pleasure were forgotten. He shud
dered rs he con.rasted the elegance
I that surrounded him with the destitutio
he had witnessed. The straw pallet {
age and infirmity-the scanty fueI-th
Z precarious suppIy-the piSlnre that men
ory drew seemed even yet more vivi
than the reality.
The following day Mr.. Courtney ha
left tho city, but blank cover, enclos
ing five hundred dollars, had been plat
ed by an unknown hand in that Of III
:. old soldier. Years passed away, and tn
glow of unearth)y pleasure that the tra'
eller then experienced was gradually fo
gotten. The Establishments Of plensur
resumed their wonted inHuenee--ht
gliitering wave again hurried him Q.
ward without the power Of reflection
, and If a momentary wish would have le
him to inquire the further fate Of Alya
g Hamilton, the bright phantasma that su
= rounded him, diverted his purpose
Death had deprived him of an ,amiab
:, wife, whose influence might have VIC
:. him from the sphere of illusion, and h
only child, early accustomed to the rour
J.. of fashionable pursuits; thought not
y nnnoo;po thor, The n all al a n NJ :v,,o ~