Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-12-29
From the Williamstown Advocate.
THE FORTUNATE PURCHASE.

Mr.. II. was a native Of Oxford, in the
County Of Worcester, Massachusetts,.
BY inheritance and industry he became
comparatively rich, and was highly re-
spected and honored. But unexpected
losses thwarted his schemes; his proper
ty diminished by degrees; he became
dlsconsolate and dispirated; his pretend
ed friends, one by one, fell away, and
having no fixed principles Of virtue, it is
by no means wonderful that he became
dissipated in his habits, and his wife and
family consequently miserable and un-
happy. About this time he ascerained
that his debts were much more than he
could pay, and that his creditors were
about to administer upon what property
he possessed.-Under these circumstan-
ces he determined to abscond, and in
such way as to prevent detection. Ac-
cordingly he privately procured a new
suit of clothes, selected horse from his
stable, and having deposited his ordina-
~ clothes and hat on the beach ofa pond
Ito induce his creditors to believe he had
committed suicide) protected by the
darkness of an autumnal night he pre-
cipitately and silently left his native vii
lage. He had determined to seek a
home in the western wilds, where his
character and resources were unknown:
and shaped his course for that region.
Late one afternoon he arrived at an Inn
in village on the western bank Of the
Hudson, with only single dollar in his
pocket.
AT the Inn where he stopped, there
happened to be an Agent of the State Of
New-York disposing ofthe wild lands
in the southwern corner of that State at
public Auction. Being dressed in the
garb of a gentleman, his fellow-lodgers
took him for land speculator, who had
like themselves come to purchase at the
sale; and he determined to maintain the
character with which they had so un-
tremendously invested him, but to be
so cautious in his bids as not to incur a
responsibility which he had not the
means of meeting. He commenced
bidding Unfortunately, and, contrary
to his intention and expectation, large
tract in what is now called the 'Susque-
hama country was struck off to him.
His thoughts were now directed to the
invention Of plan, by which he could
get rid Of his bargain without confessing
his poverty. Finally he determined to
wait till the inmates Of the house were
wrapped in slumber, and then mount his
horse, and by taking French leave, get
rid ofhis bargain and tavern bill together.
With this intention he told the Agent
that as it was late he would attend to
making the deed and paying the ten per
cent. Of the purchase money in the NOR
ming. This course being assented to,
he retired to his chamber, but not to rest.
Like many other people he abhorred
poverty worse than crime, and he could
not bear the idea Of exposure among
whom he had passed for wealthy man.
After the house became still, he eau
tiously descended from his chamber to
carry his plan into execution-but what
was his chagrin and modification to find
that his valice was locked in the bar,
and his horse IN the stable, and to OBJ
tain either of them was utterly out Of his
power.
With feelings which my be perhaps be
imagined but cannot be described, he
returned to his chamber where he pas
sed night Of intense mental suffering
and sleepless agony. As might have
haau ovnoctoI ho Iaca.roJ Io.v;o, L..
lodgings, much beyond the ordinary
hour, vainly endeavouring to devise a
way Of escape from his dilemma, when
his reverie was broken by the intelli-
gence that two gentlemen who had Just
arrived, wished to speak with him. Here
was a new source Of trouble; he had no
acquaintance in that part of the world,
and he had no doubt but his creditors in
Oxford had discovered his flight, pur-
sued him, and were now about to strip
him Of the little property he had brought
away or to carry him back in disgrace.
So intensely were his feelings excited,
that two or three messages were sent
before he could muster resolution suffic-
lent to leave his chamber. At length.
finding he could invent no excuse for
longer delay, with a palpitating heart he
The two gentlemen who had request
ed an interview, met him, and he felt
greatly relieved on finding them to be
strangers to him. They Immediately
entered on their business by inquiring Of
MIR. II. whether he was the tleman
who bought certain tract of land on the
evening previous.-On his replying in
the affirmative, they informed him that
they had just returned from viewing the
land-that they intended to have been at
l. L..x