Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-07-07
n1stRI.I.ANI.
THE POOR DEBTOR.
BY ROBERT WALSH

TWIN lid YIN.
BY ROBERT WALSH.
Some years ago obtained A iudg-
ment for sum not very large. nor
yet uncomfortable, against a fellow
citizen, the father OF numerous IA
mlly, who lived with them in decent
and apparently comfortable style. He
pleaded presentinability TO pay:my law
Yer told me that his household was we'll
provlded-that his children were placed
in good school, and in short pcrsuad-
ed me that if pushed things to ex-
tremltes, the money would be forth
coming. consented, or directed that
tins should be done, and in due time
was informed, not that my debtor had
discharged my demand, but that he had
been lodged 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 nv
man. y fortnight elapsed; my heart
and Imagination were at work in the
interval in favor of the prisoner; | de-
termIned L. relieve my disturbed con-
science by visiting him and aScertaining
directly his case.
My attorney accompanied me 10 the
jail, which entered for he first time.
As we tra,cr,cd the passage. we saw
numbers of squalid beings collected in
some at the rooms: these were the We
~ poor debtors; some of them Confin-
ed for dollar, and saddled with cost
of suits TO thrice the amount Their
iaoours were lost to society for months
or years, on account of debts, the a.
mount of which they could earn in
day or week. "IIow do they spend
their time here" "In listlcss idleness
OF gro,s conversation, or mopng and
desponding. II does them no good TO
be here, and 1t is enough to make one
sorry to see their wives and children
when they come after them" SO said
our grisly conductor. He led US TO
the apartment Of my debtor and pris-
oncr-hc would not practice the ccre-
mony of announcing u, but opened
the door abruptly aud retired at once.
stopped at the threshold and con-
ttIupldleu the group Wlihln.
There were two small children. a
girl and boy, neatly dressed, plavfully
hugging each other near a cot, (Which
! noticed two, m opposite Corners
Near che Fireplace, IN which a few
sticks were burning sat a female Of the
middle age, and a genteel exterior,
making UP linen: by her side girl of
about thirteen or fourteen years of age
with a graceful air and intelligent
oountenance, also working; n little fur.
Their, man-a gentleman, of about 81
years Of age, Of a sedaic but mournful
eye, pale, thin visagc, a negligent
attire, resting his hand fondly on the
head Of an infant who slumbercd IN his
lap. The room had a gloomy and
damp aspect, and the trampling Of feet,
the creaking Of hinges, and the clamor
OF rude voices without, did not weaken
the general impression of discomfort.
entered singIy, the mother and daugh-
ter rose from their hard chairs-thc ia.
ther alone knew my pcr,on-he i'm.
medIately but ienderly placed the infant
IA the mother arms and then pronoun.
Ccd my name.
shall never forget the glance which
] got from the two fcmalcs--it was one
Of mingled rcproacb, resentment and
piteousncse suhducd however. accord
ing TO the habits Of good breeding and
the solincss Ut the sex the two sponiyc
children turned suddenly from their
play and stood gazing as # they had
heard a sound with which they con-
nccied fear and dislike. The debtor
with sieadlast but not offensive look
though with a quivering lip and ircm-
bling hand bro forward char. and
requested me 10 be seated, and asked
me my pleasure. ~ he did 50. the
wife and daughter withdrew towards
the cots, endeavounng 90 restrain the
younger folks from EXPLANATIONS and
close surveys. which could not have
enlIvened my mood.
siammered something 70 the father
about my uneasinsss IN recollecting
what had happened; my regre, at his
situation, my uilc 10 complain Of bis
conduct; the duty which owed 10 my.
self and family, sc. Tie listened 10
me without embarraument, observed
when appeared 10 have done. that
had exercised legal right, and that he