The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-07-13

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From the New-England Magazine1
TsaE DEMON OF THE CLOSET.
Z Fsank Seymour was, for many years,
rly friend and companion. lie was a.
5Iut 30 years old when l first met hm,
ald was fast rising to eminence at the
bsr. lie was the husband of one Of the
nosi charming women in the village, and
tie father Of bright faXcn-he AIDED boy,
1pon whom he doated with all IA fathers
ipy'aress. He was the lavorite Of all who
.'rs y.nips nnd his house. which was the
pg.tts2st in the peighborhood, was ffe-
ouem}esort for alrhis friends who loved
to visit scene of such unmngled happ'r-
ness as they there witnessed. Frank
was Justly proud of his beautiful wife, and
was never so happy as rhen, release d
from the cares of his business, lie could
sit in his own snug parlor, with his boy
on his knee, and listen, while she sung
some favorite air to her piano, or ioir in
the merry laugh that was so often heard
from the cheerful group that gathered
around her fire side on wintor'. eve
ming. There never was q happier crea-
ture than his wife then seemed to be-
His heart seemed literally full OF JOY to
ogcr1owing.
The first time that 7 met F~ank was at
Q little party at his own house. | shall
never forget the agreeable impressions
which received at that visit; and if there
ever was a man whom myied it was he.
l. -, l,,t . 1
him were such an air Of comfort ard nrat-
ness, and there was such finishing
touch Of taste upon every thing within and
around his house, that no one could fail
of being struck with Whatever he saw
there. There was no idle expense of dec
oration, but the furniture was so Judi
ciousy eclpcted, and the ornaments so
tastcfully arranged, that lis parlor was
really plcasanter object TO The eye, than
many .orGcously furnished drawing
room Of a far more princcIy mansion.
lie was not rich, as have said, bat hc
had been so far successful in business rs
to be above the fears Of poverty, and he
was sometimes suspected OF an undue
propensity to acquire Wcal;h.
There was a closet which opened into
his parlo. in which he was understood to
keep his private papers, and whatever
money he might possess, the door of which
was ever carefully locked and as his
wife never made any inquiries into lis pc
cuniary concerns, she never felt any curl
osty to examine what his closet contained,
His londness for money seemed 10 in
crease with its possession, until IT became
a passion, which could no longer escape
tie attention aud remark Of his friends.
Ills visits to the place Of dcposltc of ais
wealth were more frequent, and, WITH q
growth ol'th.s passion, there came over hls
manner, in his ordinary intercourse with,
his friends, which they could not de-
scribe, Tut could not fail to feel and Ia
ment. Frank, however, was still the
same noble fellow before the world that
he had ever been, md appeared at times
with such hrjl,iancy and power as Io
surprise even his admirers and whatever
might have been ihc seeming coldncss Of
his manner 10 his friends at enc time, he
was 50 ardent, 81 generous aud fascinating
at another, that they forget his former
colducss and were ready 10 forgive every
weakness Vi hIs nature.