Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-07-14

M I 8 C e I. T. A " Y.
THE POOR DEBTOR.
by ROBERT WALSH.


Of numerous family, who lived with
them in decent and apparently comforta.
bic style. He pleaded present inability
to pay-my lawyer told me that his house
hold was well provided that his children
were placed in good school, and 10 short
persuaded me that if ! pushed things TO ex-
tremiiies, the money would be Grthcom
ing. | consented or directed that this
should be done, and in due time was in.
formed not tina, my debtor had discharged
my demand, but that he had been lodge d
in Jail and his business broken up. The
| intelligence startled and chagrined mel
complained and remonstrated-but was
urged to try the effect of the new situation
upon my man. A fortnight elapsed my
heart and ina gnation were at work ia
the interval in favor ofthe prisoner-[ dc.
termined TO relieve my disturbed con.
science by visiting him and ascertaining
directly his case
My attorney accompanied me to the
jail which | entered for the first time. As
we traversed the passage, we saw num-
bers Of squalid beings collected in some
Of the rooms these were the very poor
debtors some Of them confned for dol
lar and saddled with costs of suits to thrice
the amount. Their labors were lost to
society for months or years. on account of
debts, the amount of which they could
earn in day or week: allow do they
spend their time here ?" In listess idle.
ness or gross conversation, or moplng and
Responding. 1t does them no good TO be
here. and it is enough to make one sorry
10 see their wives and children when they
come after them."-So said our grisiy
conductor. He led US TO the apartment
of my debtor and prisoner-he would not
practise the ceremony of announcing us,
but opened the door abruptly aud retiring
at once. | stopped at the threshold and
contemplated the group within.
There were two small children, a girl
and boy, neatly dressed, playlully hug
| ging each other near cot, Of which no.
ticed two in opposite corners.-Near the
fire place in which few sticks were burn
ing, sat female of the middle age, and a
gcnteel exterior, making up linen by her
side a girl Of about thirteen or fourteen
years OF age, with graceful air intelli
gent couptenance, also working little
further. a mana gentleman. of about
forty five years Of age, Of sedste but
mournlul eye, pale, thin visage, "A neg
iigent attire, resting his hand iondly on
head of an infant who slumbered in his
lap. The room had a gloomy and damp
aspect, and the trampling Of feet, the crcs
king of hinges, and the ciamor of rude
voices without did not weaken the genera
impression OF discomfort entered sin
gly-the mother and daughter rose from
their hard chairs-the father alone knew
| ha "A afaly hnf fpn ri u
placed the infant in the mothers arms
and then pronounced my name.
! never shall forget the glance which
! got from the two females-it was one of
mingled reproach. resentment, and pite-
business: subdued, however, according to
the hal bits Of good breeding and the soft
ness of the sex; the two spOrtive children
turned suddenly from their play; & stood
gazing as if they had heard sound with
which they connected fear and dislike
The debtor with steadfast but not often
sive look. though with a quvering lip and
trembling hand, brought forward a chair,
and requested me to be seated, and asked
me my pleasure. AS he did so, the wife
and daughter withdrew towards the cots,
endeayoring TO restrain the younger folks
from EXPLANATIONS and close surveys,
which could not have enlivened my mood.
| stammered something 10 the father "a
| bout my uneasiness in recollecting what
had happened my regret at his situation;
nv title to complain Of his conduct; the
duty which owed TO myself and family
&c. He listened 10 me without embar-
rassment, observed when | appeared 10
| have done, that | had exercised legal
| right, and that he was not disposed TO up.
| braid me or expostulate and lie then pro
ceeded TO give me explanations, which he
said might relieve him from the suspicion
Of dishonesty or extreme levity in contrac
ting debts, upon which suspicion | might
have acted. He soon made me sensible
that when he formed engagements with
me he had a reasonable confidence from
| the condition Of his affairs, of being able
to execute them punctually and that his
! disappointment and mine were owing 10
the delinquency of persons he was warran-
ted in trusting and 10 the operation Of those
! general causes which had produced so
much distress and embarrassment through
out the country. "Your lawyer saw my
parours neatly furnished, and myself vile
and children we'll clad he knew that our
domestic wants were gra,ified, and that |
CfluIuNCtl NllC tlC uSudt tAlSnoC
he concluded that might have a sur
plus; or could contriVe TO pay you by
close retrenchments."
=" But il was indispensable 10 the success
of my plans in business that | should keep
up the appearance of some prosperity
/ wife and myself had been accustomed ev-
en- to luxuries. In endeavorng TO have
our offspring literally instructed and tram
ed. we gave way only 10 the most power
full impulses of the heart, and to the con-
sideraion that they would be more able
and eager to discharge their obligations,
which their parents might not be compe-
tent TO meet We practised all the thru t
which situation and sentiment would ad-
mit-alI that was compatible with our
purpose OF finally doing justice TO you
10 destroy my credit was to incapacItate
me in eveTy way You were under wrong