Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-10-20

island was offered to her. He was all
that the young heart admires-generous,
noble, and virtuous, and Of years suited
to her own. She accepted him, and be-
came happy wife.
Having left Philadel phia with the in
tention Of returning, she now waited anx-
iously for the opportunity; but variety
of causes prevented it, year after year.
A family of beautiful boys and girls grew
up around her. Her husband was deep
ly engaged in an extensive and lucrative
business; ard twelve years passed by be-
fore she was able to accomplish her wish
es. In all this time she had never made
an inquiry about, or once heard Of her
former lover. Now Mr.. Leere retired
from business, and proposed accompany
ing her with their family to America
They reached Philadelphia ir safety ,and
walked up Walnut street, to tie old fam-
ly mansion. 1t remained ulaltered-
Her father and her mother, he old SER
wants, her former friends, win remained,
all welcomed her to her ancDnt homo.--
The shrubs she planted had !rown luyu
riantly. Her name remaiRd where it
had been imprinted twelve ears before
and when she called bacHRH recol-
lections of by -past-times, she wept; ye
these were tears of mingled JOY and sor-
row.
Mr.. Lefcre took fine establishment
in Chesnut street, and lived in splendid
style. Emma used to ride out daily in an
elegant carriage, with her infant family
and, as had long been her practice, she
carefully sought out such objects of dis
tress, as she deemed it would be charita-
BILE to relieve. One day, riding in the
suburbs of the city, she saw poor, half
clothed man, lying by the road side, and
a tattered, cmaciated child crying bitter
ly near him, to which he paid no atten-
ton. She directed the coachman to
stop, and calling the man, inquired why
he disregarded the child, and whose it
was.
cit is my own" said he 81 came out
hoping to get n place for 1t at yonder
house, and could not; it is almost starved,
and have not the means to procure food
for myself or it.
She gave him a small sum Of money,
and directed him to call at her house the
next day. lie thanked her, and promis-
ed compliance.
AT the hour appointed, the poor man
with his hel pless child, waited in the
kitchen for the call of his eneiactress -
Mrs. Lciere sent for them into the break
fast room, as soon as the family had dis
pcrsed, and desired to know by what
means he had brought himselfto poverty
and want.
The man spake out honestly. Intcm-
perance, he said, was the great cause,
but his troubles had driven him TO that
81 once saw better days." said he; 81
was partner in mercantile concern; |
married; | was deceived. The mother
of this poor child, after involving me in
runous debts, left me with lbertine,
whose addresses she had long received.
| drowned my sorrow, and sunk my cha
racter in habits Of vice and intoxicatlon.
| have been twice imprisoned for crime.
| am destitute Of friends and employ
ment"
"And what is your name," asked EN-
ma.
"Theodore w." he replied aE
ter a moments hesitation.
The kind lady turned pale. She gaz-
ed at him with astcnishment So great
had been the change wrought on him,
that until that moment she had not recog-
nized him the iaithless Theodore! "At
last then," said she, affecting to be calm,
"you have learned to keep your promises
you called at the time appointed. |
will provide a place for yourself& child"
"Ah," said he, "you know me. When
you asked my name, dared not tell you
an untruth, but | hoped it had been for
ever blotted from your memory. watch
ed your fortunes. | rejoiced at your
prosperity. | cursed my own folly. But
broken VOWS come back to their authors
in the end-and mine has ruined me for
ever"
He covered his face and wept She
left HIM; and, having consulted with Mr.
Lelere, procured him situation in an
honest occur alton, and placed the child
at school,