Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-11-24

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money he had for it, being the shilling
he had Just earned, with which she was
highly pleased Curtiss then set off with
his kitten for Chdring Cross; on his way
ththcr Il gentleman met him near Exeter
Change, not far from the .adciphia. who,
espying the kitten, asked the lad what il
was he had under his ragged blanket?
Cur,iss told him il was a kitten. The
gentleman requested to look at it, which
he did and examined it most critically,
then said, my lad, you are very much
mistaken, it is no kitten, but a qrhie ,cea-
81, will YOU sell it? Yes, sir, says Cur
tiss, what will you give for it? Fire
guneaS, said the gentleman, the kitten
then, sir, is yours; Curtiss received the
money, delivered over the kitten 10 the
stranger, then walked with his guneas
in his pocket. The day following, Cur
tss (who, by the by, was a very hand
some little boy hastencd to Craaboune
.HIey to procure for himself proper s. re-
spectacle clothing, 50 that he might APP
pear as well dressed a. any orthc respect
able boys in London, which lie fully ac-
complshcd with two guncas. Being
then gcnteclly equipped, and hearing
the bells ringing for divine service at
| White Hall, where king Charics the
first was bcheadcd by that arch hypo-
cre and tyrant Oliver Cromwell he re-
paired thither and paid strict attention to
what fell from the lips Of the Lord Bish-
op Of Durham, who on that occasion de-
livercd an eloquent sermon. On leaving
the Royal Chapel lad Of great distnc-
ton dropped her white cambric handker-
chief which young Curtiss observed as it
fell. lie instantly picked it up and ran
to the carriage just as it was going to
drive off, and presented the owner her
handkerchief (who proved to be her
grace the Duchess of Devonshire.) The
politencss and gallantry of the boy was
highly To her grace, and she directed
him to take a seat in her carriage that
she might enquire into his situation and
circunl.., ances. The boy most readily
accepted OF the kind offer, and the hon
or Of remaining in her Gracc's Palace
until she placed him in the Westminster
school-whcrc by her bounty and good
ness he received an excellent education
As he grew up he was distinguished for
talents and worth, so much so, as to be-
come a member ofParliament, where he
did himself great honor, particularly in
advocating the abolition Of the African
slave trade. In the recess of Parlia-
ment, IurtIss visited the watering place
at Margatc, where by mere accident he
/ fell in company with il mos, beautiful and
accomplished young lady, about 90 years
Of age--by name Dcodama, who posses
sed every grace and virtue that man
could wish or desire to make him happy.
On declaring to the fair one his passion,
Deodama was equally pleased with Mr..
Cmtiss, who was of elegant form, grace
ful manners and Of tho most manly beau
.tv. 1t was agreed between them that
the matter should be known to the father
of the lady which was done. The father
not only gave his consent to their union
hrt also settled upon his daughter i~en'y
Thousand poa,lds sterling, ard appointed
Mr.. Curtss her trustee. On the day Of
her mana age, he pat IA diamond ring on
the finger of his beloved daughter, Of
the value of i'ro thousand pounds as to-
ken'of his love and affection, which ring
had some time prcviouly been presented
to him by the Great Catherine, Empress
of Russia. To Mr.. Curtiss he presented
bank note Of the bank of Eng land Of
I fire horsond roundS, observing at the
same time, Mr.. Curtiss | verify believe
that YOU have the greatest love and cs-
TEEN for my beloved Dcodama (my only
child and she having signiiied to me
her attachment for you--l give her to
YOU 10 wife. But, first, ! must tell you
Mr.. Curtiss, that independent of your
great worth and talents YOU had stronger
claims on me for my beloved daughter,
than any other gentleman whomsoevcr
The facts are thCsc-whcn DcOdama
communicated TO me that an attachment
subsis'cd between you and her ! imme-
diatcly applied to her grace the Duchess
Of DcvonShlrc, your friend and patroness
TO make some enquiry of her grace of
your history and character. The Duch-
css gave me with other matters, perfect
" saii-factorily-the most irrellagable
proof Of your being the identical boy of
whom | purchased the While Weasel,
near Exeter Change, in the strand; ont
Of which ! made my fortune a. follows:
| disposed Of the White Weasel to the
great Bashaw Of Egypt in exchange for
ten hogsheads of opium which | sold in
the city of Byzantlum, which was built
by a colony of Athcnians, now vulgarly
called ConstantInopIc) to great tea mer-
chant of Canton, in the Fast Indies, and
received of him teas and spices of that