Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-09-07
. pu BnQuE, dead MlsEs3 WISCONSIN, aSER
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TIE POOR DEDBT0R.
Z 80 - BY RIO BERT Walsh. -
Some years ago Obtained judgment for a sum
not very large nor yet ihconsiderable, against
fellow citizen, tho father &c q numerous family,
who lived with them i'll dscs md apparently COM
ottahle style. He pleaded ent inability topay
-,ny lawyer told me that household was well
provided-that his childremySvere placed in good
school, and in short, persuaded me that If pushed
things to extremeties, the money would be TO tie
coming. Iconssnted, or directed that this should
my debtor had discharged my demand, bit that he
had been lodged in jail, and his business broken up.
The intelligence startled and chagrined me--lcom-
plainedand remonstrated-but was urged to Try the
effect of the new situation upon my man. fort
night elapsed, my heart and Imagination were at
work in the interval in favorof the prisonorl de-
teFnined to relieve my disturbed conscience by vi
Sting him and ascertainiag directly hiscase.
Ny attorney accompanied me to the Jail, which
entered for the first time. As we tra"ersed the
passages we saw numbers of squaiid beings collect
ed il some of -heroolns: these were the very poo
debtors; some of them confined for dollar and sad
tdlad with costs of suits to thrice the amount iher
labors were lost to society for months Or years, Oh
account of debts, the amount Of which they could
ear, ii, lay or week: sssIow do they spend their
time here!'' nlistless idlcness Or gross conHesa-
Itioo, or moping and dcsponding. II does them no
good 10 be here and it lis enough to make one sorry
Ito see their wives and children when they come af-
I ter,ihem''-So said our grisy conductor. lie led
as to the apartment Of my debtor and prisoner-he
would not practise the ceremony of announcing US,
bit opened the door abruptly and retired at once.
I stopped at the threshold, and contemplated the
group within.
There were two small children, girl and boy,
neatly dressed, playfully hugging each other wear
cot, of which noticed two in opposite corners
Near the FIRE place in which few sticks were brr-
ming, sat female ofthe middle age, and gem
tee exterior, making up linen; by her side, girl
ofabout thirteen or fourteen years Of age, with
graceful eir intelligent countenance also working;
a little further, mana gentleman, Of about for
1tr-fve wears of age, of sedatc bit mournful eve,
pale. thin visage, negligent attire, resting his
hand fonaly ON the head Of All infaat who slmbered
|inl,s lap. The room had a gloomy and damp as
pect, and the tramplii.g of feet, the cfeakng of hn-
gos, and the clanor of rude voices without, did not
weaken the general impression Of discomfort. en-
I tered singly-the mother and daughter rose from
thar hard chairs--the father alone knew my per-
ollzehaimmediately but tenderly placed the infant
in th6saR6ther's arms, and then pronounced my
name sAt
4 I never shall foeget the glance which Igot from
resentment, and piteousness: subdued, however,
according to thes habits Of good breeding and the
softness Of theae aportiye children turn-
cd suddenly from their play and Stood gazing as II
they had heard sound with which they connected
fear and dislike debtor with stcadfnst bot
not offensive look, though with guiverng lip and
trembling hand, brought forward a chair, and re.
guesied inc to be seated, and asked me my pleasure.
As he did so, the wife and daughter withdrew to-
wards the COTS endeaToring to restrain the younger
folks from EXPLANATIONS and close surveys, which
could not have envened my mood.
i stammered something to the father about my
uneasiness in rccollecting what had happened; my
regret at his situation; my title to complain of his
conduct; the duty which owed to myself and fn,ni-
ly, &c. He listened to me without embarrassment,
obseryed when appeared 20 have done, that iati
exercised legal right, and that he was not dispo
sed to upbraid mo expostulate; and he then pro-
ceeded to give me explanations, which he said
might relieve him from the suspicion Of dishonesty
or extreme leyity in contracting debts, upOn which
suspicion might have acted. He soon made me
sansible that When he formed engagements with me
he had reasonable confidence from the condition
ofhis affairs, of being able to execute them punctli-
ally; and;that his disappointment and mine wefc
owing to the delinquency personshe was warrants
ed in trusting, and 10 the operation ofthose general
causes which had produced much distress and en-
barfassment throughout the country. "Your lawyer
saw my parlours neatly furnished, and myself, wife
aid children well clad; he knew that our domestic
watts were gratifed, and that educated the chill
drcn Mt the usual expense--he concluded that
might have surplus; could contriye to pay you
by close retrenclments."
t tsBut it was indispensable to the success Of my
plans in business that should keep up the appear
ance of some plosperity-Iny wife and myself had
been accustomed even to Injuries. In cndeayorins
to have our offspring literally instructed and train
ed, we gave way only to the most powerful impul
of the heart, and to the consideration that they
would be more able and eagertc discharge their OBJ
legations, which their parents might MOI be compe
tent 10 meet. We practised all the thrift which
situation and sentiment would admlt--all that wa.
compatible with purpose of finally doing justice
10 yon.-'To destroy my credit was 70 incapacats
me in every way. Youwere under wrong impress
sons, and understand yon would not listeH 10 tns
real history Of my case Assume fo.sitIde and te
ssnation here to sustain the spirits OF my cxceiieu
! wife, who Will not be patased !om me, oii p1J
heart and hers arc still wrung with g.ief at the ~ il
ofour prospects for the litle ones Bu,t arc il
good health and ofiiMe disposition; we can work 70
gether and procure asubsstencS when we shall bt
extricatod from this place.
ls "My eldest boy, and all the Others, except th'
youngeM dazzling, sleep al the house of a kind SIS
fter-in-law. We have friends who would come z
debt and in 80 doing, possibly inure those for whom
we wefe bou,id 70 feel the most regard"
!. desired 10 hearno more. With choked ut
terancc, made this worthy man understand tina
: would remove at once all impeachment to his e
gress. Hiscyes brightened Tho wife and children
advanced, having distinguished my emotion ant
intention almost intuitively: was saved from :
scene Of gratitude, which would have been more
j iksome than that of sorrow, BY the entrance Of
: fema>p, and smart lad, who proved to be the ss
: tsr-inlaw and the eldest The former carried
q basket la her hand covered with white towel
and the children seemed 70 be well acquainted Wit
the nature offs contenss. Beneyolence and nota
Ebleness shone in her facs.