State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-05-31
THE POOR DEBTOR.

BY ROBERT WALSH
Some years ago / obtained a judgment
for sum not very large nor yet inconsid-
cradle against fellow citizen, the father of
numerous family, who lived with them
in a decent and apparently comfortable
style. He pleaded present inability to pay
my lawyer told me that his household
was well provded-that his children were
placed in good schools &C., and in short
persuaded me that if pushed things to
extrcmities, the money would be forthcom-
ing. / consented, or directed that this
should be done, and in due time was in
formed, 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 me
complained and remonstrated--bu was
urged to try the effect of the new situation
upon my man. A fortnight elapsed my
heart and Imagination were at work in the
interval in favor of the prisoner deter
mined to relieve my disturbed conscience
10y visiting him and asccrtainng, directly,
his case.
My attorney accompanied me to the Jail,
which | entered for the first time. As we
travcrsed the passages, we saw numbers of
squald beings collected in some of the
rooms these were the very poor debtors
some of them confined for dollar and
saddled with costs of suit TO thrice the
amount. Their labor was lost to society
for months, or years, on account of debts,
the amount of which they could earn in a
day or week. "low do they spend their
time here Z" - In lisiless idleness, or gross
conversation, or moping and Responding.
1t does them no good to he here, and it 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
prisoner. He would not practice the GER
emony of announcing us; but opened the
door abruptly and retired ut once. ] stop
ped on the threshold and contemplated the
group within.
There were two small children, a girl
and boy, neatly dressed, payfully hugging
each other near a cot, of which | noted
two, in opposite corners. Near the fire
place, in which few sticks were burning,
sat female Of the middle age and a gen
teel exterior, making up lnen-by her side
n girl about thirteen or fourteen years
old, with graceful air and intelligent coun-
;enancc, also working; a little further,
MANA gentlcman,-- about forty five or
IlIlN, VI u SGAlllt Dul lIlOulIliul tNt, u Ilulc,
thin visage, a negligent attire, resting his
hand fondly on the head of an infant who
slumbercd in his lap. The room had
gloomy and damp aspect, and the trampling
of feet the creaking of hinges, and the
clan or of rude voices, without, did not
weaken the general impression of discom-
fort. | entered singly the mother and
daughter rose from their hard chairs-the
fntbnr olcnn kpnty Ia
diately but tendery paced the infant in
the mothers arms, and then pronounced
my name. shall never forget the glance
which | received from the two females--it
was one of mingled reproach, resentment
and pteousness subdued, however, accor-
ding to the habits Of good breeding and
the sofiness Of the sex tho two sportive
children turned suddenly from their play,
and stood gazing as if they had heard
sound with which they connected fear and
dislike. The debtor with steadfast but
not offensive look though with quvering
lip, and trembling hand, brought forward
n chair and requested me 10 be seated and
asked me my pleasure. As he did so, the
wife and daughter withdrew towards the
cots, endeavoring to restrain the younger
folks from EXPLANATIONS and close sur
veys, which could not have enivened my
mood.
/ stammcred something to the father
about my uneasiness in lecolecting what
had happened; my regret at his situation
my title to complain of his conduct the
duty which owed 10 myself and family
&c. lie listened to me without embarrass-
ment; observed when / appeared to have
done, that had exercised a legal right, and
that he was not disposed to upbraid me OF
eXpostulate and he then proceeded to give
me explanations, which he said might re-
lieve him from the suspicion of dishonesty
or extreme levty in contracting debt upoI
which suspicion might have acted. II,
soon made me sensible that when he form
ed engagements with me, he had n reason
able confidence, from the condition of hi
affairs, of being abe to execute them pune
tualy; and that his disappointment anC
mine were owing to the delinquency o
persons whom he was warranted in trusting
and to The operation of those general causes
which had produced so much distress anC
embarrassment throughout the country
"Your lawyers saw my parlours neat.
furnished, and myself wife and children
well clad; he knew that our domestic want
were R,a,6ed, and that ] educated IN