Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-04-26

confidence.
Mrs. Colyn was reclining one cold
water cvcuing before a bright fire,
her work table before her, and as she
listened to the storm that beat furious
" against the windows, and her eye
wandered around the commodlous and
we'll furnished apartments in which she
was seated, she reflected on the bless
inss she enjoyed; and contrasted her
situation with millions OF her fellow be-
ings, in different paris of the world,
all equally susceptible Of pain aud
pleasure, she brcathed tcrvcnt
thanksgiving that she had had her
birthright and habllation assi gned her
in land so favored AS America. Her
husband hastily entered.
"You look iatigued and sorrowful,"
said Mrs. Colvin.
Il have just come from the dwell
ling Of afliction.' he replied.
30, ! knew this was world Of
suffering !"-cXclaimcd Mrs. Colvin;
" "and yet have been this whole hour
INDUCING in congratulations on my
own happy situation, and inferrins be-
cause felt no grief, no privalon, all
my ncighbors were equally blessed"
"Whcn" replied her husband,
"men yield to temptation, TO sin---
suffering must follow. Indeed in our
country. more than in any other on
earth, dcyiations from morality and in
tcgriiy are punished either with the
loss Of fame, fortune, or public conf
dcncc;-and James Murray has for
fcitcd them ALL"
"ls his situation as bad as we have
heard? ?" inquired Mrs. Colvin.
"Worsc, far WORSE" returned the
other. We heard he would probably
have sufficient TO pay his creditors,
but he is bankrupt by several lhous-
ands, the mortgage on his estate fore
closed, and every article Of personal
property has been attached; the
sheriff was removing the furniture
when ! reached the house."
''ls it possible that he can have
spent the large estate his father left
him 20 inquired Mrs. Colvin. "It is
huta little timc-a year or two, since
he became so dis,ipa,ed."
"Thcre is nothing more easy than
for man to ruin himself" returned
her husband. "Lct him neglect hi,
business, bet with every one who will
venture wager, and generally take
the losing side, and keep constantly
in state Of incbricty, and his estate
will soon be wasted. Bat James
Murray was never so rich as many
imagined. Much of his wealth de-
pended as most of our country mer-
chants estates do-on his credit; and
men he built his costly house, which
he ought not TO have done. And he
has been Incorporate longer than you
mentioned; ever since he lost his cleo
ton, four years ago. His wife told
me he never tasted liquor after their
marriage, till that disappointmcnt.-
Bat h's relish for spirit had been be-
!ore acquired, and when a man has
unfortunately contracted that thirst,
every extraordinary emotion, whether
Of JOY, or grief, or anger, seems TO
awaken it anew. There is not, for
such an one, much hope ofpcrmancnl
reformation"
" Where is his poor wife ? and how
does she bear her trial ~ asked Mrs.
CoIvin.
81 found her in her small parlor-
her little children gathered around or
in her arms-!ike brooding dove
her young ones from the
of danger. Her face was
pale as marble, but perfectly calm;
yet at the first expression of my con-
Germ she burst into passionate weep
ing. | endeavored to console her,
and promised my assistance. She
dried her tears as she said DO not
think, sir, am grieving for the loss
of our property, or because | must
leave this dwelling. The display of
wealth is not necessary TO my happi-
ness, indeed, ! think it has made me
more wretchcd-the splendor by
which ! was surrounded seeming to
mock my hearts misery. But my
husband-it is for his degradation, his
ruin | weep. o! | could joyfully
share poverty with him would work
to support him would willingly be
a slave, or lay down my own life, if
he might be persuaded to return to
virtue-if nc could be reclamcdo"
"What did you say TO RI" asked
Mrs. Colvin, weeping.