Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-15
THREE DAYS SUCCESS AT HAZARD.
a.

Street. | was at that time captain III the
-th regiment of foot, and the proprietor OF
bank stock to the amount OF about eight thousand
rounds sterling. The sum had been originally
ten; but had transferred two to the name OF
nv sister Mary, my only and orphan sister,
whose, moderate provision OF three thouSahu
Mounds appeared to demand this augmentation at
NV hands. She had been domesticated from the
ncr;od of nv mothers death in the family of an
rncle. clergyman in the West Riding; and be-
inc now, at eighteen. ON the point of marriage
with the son of a landed proprietor in his neigh
borhood, very estimable young man, to whom
she had been attached from her earliest years, 1
had obtained leave of absence from my regiment,
then stationed in the Ionian islands. in order to
pass two happy months in my native country and
county, and to preside at the ceremony in my
triple capacity of guardian, brother and benefac-
tor. Mary would not have been satisfied to feel
me absent at such moment-the first and only
crisis OF her uneventful lite.
1t was necessary, IN spite OF my lmpatence to
Join the happy little group at Warrington, that L
should remain few days in London, to with
draw Mary's portion from the funds, where 1t
stood in our Joint names, in order TO place 1t more
Immediately within reach of her future trustees.
The young couple were about to rent and stock
a farm of considerable extent: and was happy
that nv sister should contribute her share towards
the prospects of their domestic prosperity. Be
sides, was anxious to appear at this family fes-
tval with becoming responsibility of external APP
pearance, as we'll as To provide myself with a
few tokens of my goodwill towards those who
wholly engrossed the affections Of my heart.
therefore engaged my apartments at the hotel tor
week.
How intoxicating, how enchanting is the as
pect Of London even In the season OF It's fogs, to
the native who has absented himself for many
wears from its busy streets! The augmented
prosperity, the enriched displays, the increased
refinements and conveniences Of the metropolis,
which are imperceptible to its constant inhabt-
ants, from startling and exciting exhibition to
wandercr like myself-a liberated denizen
from the solitudes of Cerigo, Or the marshes of
Corfu.
As paraded the broad pavement of Regent
Street, and threaded the shadowy mysteries OF
the Quadrant, which had arisen like an exhala-
ton from the earth since my departments lis
tened to the hum of my native accents, animating
the air-as directed my eager curiosity to the
splendid shops and their gorgeous contents,
wondrous through the hourly discoveries of mod
ern science felt proud of my country and its
progress, and regarded the inanimate objects a
round me with degree of triumphant and affec-
tomato interest, unknown to the habitual passen
gers of the hour. Twas admiring the gorgeous
elegance displayed in the windows of glass
mandatory, including a thousand novelties I'M
dreamed of at my departure for the Mcditerane-
an. when heard nv name pronounced In a
well-Snown tone, and friendly hand was ex-
tended towards me. 1t was that of Frank
Morton, my schooliellow, and old familiar friend.
After the ordinary expressions ofdelight and self
graduation at so welcome & unexpecteda an encoun-
ter. 1 ensured Mortur's company for the remain
der of the day, BY persuading him to return and
dine with lie at the Blenheim, and accompany
me afterwards to COvent Garden. The toilet of
my friend was scarcely adapted to even souncere-
moneous collision with public observation but he
did not hint desire to call at his lodgings he APP
peared listless and absent in his general de-
meanour; and his cOuntenance was haggard
and careworn, as though the SORROWS of life
had been the companions of his march. After
bottle of good wine and tolerable dinner his
spirits seemed to acquire indeed something of
their former tone; butt was by an efort-an I'M
natural effort; and in the very height of his mirth
his mind appeared rebuked by some invisible pre-
sence. At the theatre his pre-Occupation became
stll more evident, for although the drolleries of
Liston, and the quaint originality of Farren, pro-
Ne 10 lTTcSlS(lDle OuTSlS OI Stlll
turned towards Morton to perceive his cOunte-
nance, harrassed by an expression of irritable
impotence. and the fall of the curtain was mani
testify relief to his feelings. tried to persuade
him to accompany me home to supper, that we
might renew our boyish "reminiscences, and de-
wise some common scheme Of diversion for the
morrow; but he positively declined my hospital-
ty. As it was a cold, sleety December night,
however, he accepted share of my hackney
coach. ''You can drop me at the corner of Jer-
myn-street," said he, in constrained voice; and
concluding that he was ashamed of the aspect of
his lodgings, | readily complied. He jumped
with alacrity out of the crazy vehicle, when it
stopped in the Haymarket. promising to visit me
on the morrow. / was DESTROYS that his London
experience should assist me N the selection of my
gifts for Mary's wedding.
AT two O'Clock, accordingly. Morton entered
the coffee room; and was pleased to perceive
that his air and tone were in considerable better