The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-12-27
From Blsckwood's Magazine for October
PASSAGES FROM THE DIARY OF A LAT
PHYSICIAN.
MOTHER AND son.
lContinued.1


quiet and faithful fellow, and managed al
his masters concerns with the utmost punct.
uslity and secrecy. He had been elevated
from the rank Of q common servant in the
family to his present Office, which he had fill
ed for thirty years. with unspoued credit.
He had been great favorite with old Mr..
Beauc hamp, VINO committed him 10 the kind
tiees Of Mrs Besuchsmp, and requested her
10 continue him in his office till his son AZ
rived at his majority. The good old man was
therefore thoroughly identified with the
family interests; and il was natural that he
should feel both disquietude aud alarm ct tho
demands fov money, unprecedented in res
pect Of amount and frequency, made by Mr..
Beanchamp during his stay in town. He was
kept in profound darkness rs to the dcstina.
tion Of the money; and confounded at having
to forward up 10 London the title deeds and
papers relating to most Of the property.
What can my young squire be driving st2"
said Pritchsrd to himself; and ss he could
devise no satisfactory answer he began to
fume and fret, and to indulge in melancholy
sp~culstions. He surmised that oil was not
going on right to London. for he was too
much of q man Of business 10 be csjolod by
the fimsy reasons assigned by Mr.. Beau
champ for requiring the estate papers. He
begsn 10 suspect that his young master was
taking to bad courses; [" but being enjoined
sionce st his peril, he held his tongue, and
Struggling his shoulders, chopped the best"
He longed every day to make, or find en- op.
portunity for communicating with his old mis-
tress; yet how could he break his masters
confidence, and risk the threatened penalty,
He received, however, . letter ono morning
which decided him. The fearful contents
were a. follows;--
"Dcsr and faithful old Pritchsrd-There
are now only two ways in which you can
chow your regard for me--profound secrecy,
and immediate attention to my directions. ]
have been engaged Tor some time in deiusve
speculations in London, and have heen dread
fully unfortunate. must have fifteen, or at
the very lowest ten thousand pounds, by this
day week. or be ruined; and ! purpose rails.
ing that sum BY a mortgage on my property
jn---shise. ] can see NO other possible way
of meeting my engagements, without com.
promising the character Of our family 1.-The
honor OF nv name. Let me. therefore, have
all the needful parsrs in time, in two days'
time at the latest. Dear old msn!--for the
love Of God, and the respect you bear my faith
cr's memory keep all this TO Yourself. or
consequences may follow which Itremble TO
think OF! lam, &c. &c.
"HEsar BEAUcHAMP.
Hotel, 4 o'clock, A. NJ.
This letter was written With evident hurry
and s,rcpdstion; but not with more than its
perussl occssioned the af7sig hted steward.
He dropped ]. fSom his hands. elevsted them
and his eyes towards heaven, and turned
deadly pale. lie uembled from head to foot:
and the only words he uttered wore in low
moaning tone. "Oh, my poor old master!
wouldn't Il raise Jour bones out ofthe grave?
Coud he sny longer delay telling his Mistress
OF the dreadful pass things were como tor"
. hhrr IN hour or two spent "a terror and
esrs, he resolved, come whss might, to set
On Tor The Hell. seek an interview with Mrs.
bssuchsmp. end Disclose every thing. He
had scarce got half way, when hs was met
~ oas ofths Hall servants, who stopped him
ssying---Oh, Mr. Steward, I was coming
down for you. Mistress 10 in q vnv ,his
morning, and wssts tn zee you directly"
The old man hardly hesrd him out, end
husrsd on % fact % poss;bIe 10 the Hall.
which yes pervsded with an cir of excitemer nj
80 ,.spenss. He was instantly conducted
s'o ss. bsssehsmp's private room. The
ESos o'o hdy safe in her easy chair. hsr pei
s'sses fslI Of grief end her grey locks
sysse ~ disorder from under the border
sss go. Every limb wssis . trsmor. On
90 s'os .! her safe Ellen, In The same sgiis
tso send'sion a. her suss; q on the other stood
, iss's. .lih brandy, bsrsshors, &c. &c. end
80 sss.sd, prisebsra;" ssid .hs old lady
q = y.--Ise steward f.sce5sis chair BESIDE