Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-03-01
MESCEEAE ANY.
FROM THE NBw-YORKER
THE BROKEN MERCHANT.
OR, FEW HINTS TO THE LADIES,
Gil A PIER I.

saIu Mrs w. 10 her husband, as he leaned
IN an abstracted manner, over the breakfast
table.
"No, thank YOU" he answered, in hal
, peevish tome, and rising abruptly, took his ha,
and left the roam.
To the eve of the careless observer thai
house was the abode Of plenty, conlentment,
and happiness. Mr. Nj. had been married
about two years. His wiie-one of a thou
sand-and one little, smiling cherub, who
was beginning TO exhibit those winning and
playful ways that parents, of all others, find
So very attractive. And il their establish
meni was not splendid, according TO the ideas
of modern nabnbs, there was something
throughout which bespoke the refinement and
elegance of the owners. They knew how To
! apply and 10 enjoy nationally, the wealth
wherewilh Providence had blessed them
| The time they had spent together had rather
strengthened than diminished their attach
ment, formed, as 1t was, on mutual worth,
and highly cultivated endow
| But 10 return: Mrs NJ followed the re
treating form ol her husband with an anxious
and fearful eye, and then leaning her head
! upon her hand, gave vent TO agonized leel>
| ipgs in flood Of tears. She did not Lone for
her husba: DIS return before the hour for din
ner, and having for several days marked his
| altered temeanor, she had in vain striven 10
fathom the cause, and had hoped ere Ibis, TO
! have had some explanation tut il was plain
that he stunned her society, and for the frs,
time, shut her out from his confidence. Yet
| he was certainly not dt ease, and evidently
anxious to evade any conversation ON the
subject. She had preserved her equanimi-
| ty, nay even appeared gay, in his presence :;
but now that she was alone her long suppress
sed anxiety broke forth; in an agony il took
her long to suhdur. Yet she had, in some
measure, regained her tranquility, when Mr.
Nj. suddenly entered. His heart smole him
! for his conduct, 60 his wife-yet he dreaded
10 tell that he was a bankrupt!
lie knew her worth and coniidinu tender
ness, but he wished her dream ei happiness
20 last as long as possible, and he in vain es-
sayed 10 Tell her unshrinkingly thai an I'M
tortGnrte speculation had reduced them from
afiiuence to poverty. Yet the traces ofanx-
iety sud suffering which fingered on the
couaienaDce Of Mrs. NJ. determined him
and seating himself beside her, he made a
I candid and full disclosure Of his altered for
| tunes.
"And is this all, said Mrs NJ, in gay
tone; els it the loss of lew thousand-the
probable sacrifice OF lew superiluities, that
yon have feared to tell me 20
''But consider Helen" said Mr. nj. "you
as yet know nothing Of poverty from actual
experience. IL is easy 10 dream OF love in a
cottage, and rural scenes devoid of care ,
but when Poverty, that biting fiend, comes
IN person, and strips us, one by one, not only
OF the eleEancies but the actual comforts OF
lite, we feel that there is more OF bitterness
than poetry in his actual presence
I we shall see, J" she said, gaily, and seat
ing herself by the piano, poured lor!h such a
glad strain OF harmony that Mr.. III. himself
yielded 10 It's influence, and onfeSsed tia!
they might even yet he very happy.
"Bli," said he, Should you be compelled
10 relfnquish even this"
"Ihen my voice will be leit-see how
can sing" And she did sing so sweetly
That she convinced even her skeptc husband
that something there was OF which poverty
could not rob them. lie felt relieved AREA
dy OF bali bis mi>torlunes, now that his wife
Knew his circumstances, and bore his altered
fortunes se calmly. lie ale lis dinner with
composnre, and returning 10 his store sci
himself TO thorough investigation Of his al.
lars. lie found them not so bad as he had
al FIRST feared; and, though his bushes.
must be suspended, and his STYLE of living
contracted, yet he hoped 20 pay all his debts
and trusted 10 the future To retrieve the pre.
seat.
Such were his COMMUNICATIONS TO Mrs NJ
And yet, he said when think Of The nd
saniages you must relinquish, The privaiiont
you may yet have 10 encounter, ! confess my
spirit sometimes Enisgives me at The pros
: pect."
owe will see," said Mrs. III. "Firsi
here is y large house for three OF US; ] have
often thought, in passing neat snug house
how comfortable il looked.
"Well."
Then here is a quantity OF useless furBi,
ture, which cen seldom trust a servant tc
Keep in order. Some are careless, and some
do not know how. Then, the house and
furniture disposed Of we shall not want the
servants mother perplexily gone. Then
these things gone, we shall not he expected
10 give parties and dinners another materi
: al Item in the veXations OF lifo Again, n
our snug little house none but our real friends
will ever take The trouble to find us out
more time saved. So, you perceive on eve
, ry hand we must he gainers.''
! Bot though Mrs Ms affection for bel
. husband, and her own excellent understand
ing, prompted her to treat the present pos
ture OF affairs so lightly, and though she hell
herself ready 10 make any sacrifice will
cheeffulDess which circumstances nigh, re
quire, YET she knew and felt keenly that thu
draugh' which adversely compels Us to swal
: low Is indeed bitter. She knew enough o
society 10 be well aware that in the circle
I which prosperity draws around us, there
are always some who look with envious eye
on our condition, and would exuli al on
fallen fortunes but, whatever she felt, sht
saw that her husband felt more, and re