Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1836-08-02
MISCELLAN EOUS.
THE POOR DEBTOR.
NJ ROBERT WALSH.

bf hubEhT WALSH.
Some yes-s sgo obtained J,dguen, for sum
pot very large, nor vet uncomfortable against
fellow citizen. the father ola numerous family,
who lived wb them 10 decent and apparen rs
comfortable style. lie pleaded present inabl lty
10 psy-my lawyer told me that his household wal
well provided ,hst his children were placed in
good school, aud 10 short persuaded me that #
pushed things 10 extremities or directed that tins
sbond be done. and in due time was informed, no,
that my debtor had discharged nv demand, bat
that he had been lodged in jail, and his business
broken np. The intelligence startled aud chagrined
mel complained and remonstra,ed-but was ur-
ged 10 the effect The new situation upon my
man. fortnight elapted; my heart and unagin-
siion were al work IN the interval in favor of the
prisoner ] determined to relieev my disturbed
conscience BY visiting him and ,ertanng directly
his case.
My attorney accompanied me to the Jail which
] entered for the first time. As we traversed tie
passage, NC saw numbers Of squalid bengs collect
ed IN some OF the rooms these we're the very moor
debtors some OF them confined for a dollar aud
ssddled with cosi 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. How do the,
spend their time here, In lisllcss ideuess or
gross conversation, or moping and despondng. 1t
does them no good TO be here. and it is enough to
nut Ike one s,rry TO their wives aud children when
they come after them. So said our grisly conduc-
tor. Tie led US to tho apartment ofmy debtor aud
prisoner-hc would not practice the ceremony of
announcing US, but opened tho door abruptly anl
retired a, once. ! stopped at the threshold and
contemplated the group within.
There were two small children, girl and boy
neatly dressed. playiully hugging each other near
cot, of which noticed tive, IN opposite corners.
Near tho fire place. in which few sticks we're
burning, sa,s female of the middle age, and gem
teel exterior, making up linen by her girl of a.
bout thirteen or fourteen years age, with grace
ful air and intelligent countensnco, also working
. little further. mana gentleman of about forty
i've years ofsge. Of sedate, but mournrul eve, n
pale, thin sssge negligent attire. resting his hand
fohdly on the head Of m ieian; who slumbered in
HE lap The room had gloomy and damp aspect,
and the usmplng Of feet, the creakng OF hinges,
aod the clsmor Of rude voices without, did MOI,
weaken the general impression of discomfort
entered slngly-the mother and daughter rose from
their bard chsrs-ihe fslher alone knew NY per .
soh-he immediately bu, ,enderly placed the ia
fant in the mothers srms aud hen pronounced NV
pane.
shsll never forget the rlsnce which got from
the two iomAler-it Was one Of mingled reproach
resentment, and ptcousncss subdoed, however
according TO the habits of good breeding and the
soiine~ Of the tex two sportive children turned
suddcnly from their psy, aud stood gazing as II
they had heard sound with which they connected
fear and dislike. The debtor with steaafas'. bat
DO, ossnsiSe look, though with qurenng ip and
trembling hand. brough, forward q clair aud re-
cOes,ed me TO os seated. and asked me nv pleas.
urs. AZ he did 80. the wife snl daug bier Withdrew,
towards the cote, endeavorog 10 restrain the youn-
ger folks from EXCAVATIONS and close surveys which
could not have enl,'eneJ nv mood.
s,smuefed something 10 che father about nv
unessiness IN recolecling VIA, had happened nv
regret st h's ttua,iOn; my title to complain Of hs
conduct the duty which osed to myself and
hmiy &c. lie listened TO me without ernbsrrsss.
meni. observed when appeared to have done ihs,
had exercised legal right, and that he WAS no,
disposed 10 upersld ne OF eXpostulite and he
then proceeded TO gise me explanations. which he
said might relieve him from The suspicon Of dis
beoesiy OF extreme leV,y IN contracting dob;s, up
on ~heh suspicion nigh, have scicd. lie soon
made the sen'isle thu, hea he formed engagements
Nth me be had reasonable confidence. from the
eoed'''on Of his sfiaits Of beng sbie TO execute
them Peneiaslly sad that b.. disa 2poiE,mehi and
m'ns sefe o~iAg 10 the delinquency Of persons he
~sanief IA iresi.ng. AMI the operation Of those
gensral espses which had produced 90 much distress
zoe snesnsssmeHt ,htoOghoni Tie country. Your
lawyer sac sy rsflors nesily fsrnihed. and myse!f
~iis sHe ehsieren well els6 le knew that our DO.
tAesie ~,nis ssFs gTsilfed I..l educated ,he chn.
essr Al iAs ssgs sTf-ass; be concluded th,i n.sh