The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-19

cumbent had his own friends TO serve, new
curate was appointed, and my father was
thrown upon the world penniless. IL was
under these circumstances that | was born.
have heard my mother narrate the story OF
their sufferings at that time, and the recital
almost broke my heart. Imagine, II you can
the situation of two persons, brought up amid
the refnements of taste and luxury, with
talents cultivated to the highest degree, ana
feelings rendered doubiy sensitive by habltuai
indulgence, now reduced to absolute want
destitute of the means TO procure morsei oil
bread. | cannot bear to dwell upon the par
ticulars Of their misery suffice i to say
that my father was compelled TO labor with
his hands in the meanest of all occupations,
IN order to provide food for his pcrishing vile
and child.
In the midst Of their distress, however,
they were most unexpectedly relieved. An
eccentric relative who had quarelled with all
his immediate connexions, died, leaving q
small but independent fortune to my father,
whom he had not seen since he was boy
OF course new mode Of life was Immediate
ly adopted. My parents, who could never
learn the value of money, soon established
themselves in handsome house, richly fur
nished, and filed with obseqaious servants.
Their equipage and plate were unexcoPtiona-
ble---their dinners exquisite balls
splendid, and they consequently soon found
themselves the centre Of 4 circle Of summer
friends. This kind of life suited both my
father and mother. Both were naturally IN
dolent and luxurious in their habits, and the
contrast between past privation and present
abundance, seemed to add new zest TO their
opiavmant / xuas On vonuu NJ the time OF
this change, that retained no recollection OF
our poverty, and my life now seemed to pass
like a fairy tale. Every thing that affection
could suggest, or wealth procure, ministered
to my qualification. An education BETTING
lady of the highest rank, was bestowed on me-
Teachers and governesses were multiplied to
aid me in my progress, for my parents nad
resolved that should outshine all the loftier
scions of the old family stock. The only thing
that saved me from being utterly spoiled, was
the influence of my old nurse. She was
shrewd and kind-heared Scotch woman, who
had been my earliest attendant. She had
learned enough of our early circumstances, 10
be aware Of the total change in our present
prospects, and she was too sensible, not TO
fear the future results Of my parents head
long career. l possessed, naturally, most
cheerful, happy temper, and this she endeavor-
ed to strengthen by her judicious manage
ment, so as to fit me for any station ! might
hereafter be called to fill. am indebted to
nature for that happy mental vision which
enables me always to look upon the bright
side of life, but | think | owe to her the
strength Of mind which supported me in the
midst of adversely and disappointment.
- had reached my sixteenth year without
ever having known sorrow. My debut in
the world Of fashion was characterized by the
most complete success; a crowd OF admirers
soon surrounded me, and was becoming
quite intoxicated with adulation, when | hap
PLY met with your husbands friend, Charles
Willeston. He, at first attracted my attention,
simply because he was an American, but
there was a frankness Of manner--a dignity
of character, and a strength Of principle in all
lie SAID and did, which quickly riveted my re-
gard. He possessed large estate in Virgil
MIA, and without instiuting any inquiry as to
my prospects, he offered me his hand, and
was accepted. The time of our marriage was
fixed, the brides maids selected, the prepare
tons all in progress, when suddenly a change
came DER the spirit of our Dream Willeston
had inherited his estate from an old uncle,
whose only son had left home many years be-
fore, and never been heard Of Afterwards
The father vainly endeavored 10 recover some
tIdings Of the fugitive, but even to the last, he
retained hope of his return, and when max
ing his will bequeathed his property to his ne
phew, TO be delivered up to his son if ever he
should be found. This seemed SO improbable
thing, that Willeston regarded the property
as his own but in the midst of our bright an
ticpations, he received news that the rightiul
claimant had returned. He was obliged, i'm
mediately, to leave England, and hasten home
to investigate the affair: He found il to be
too true. The prodigal son, broken down in
health, and crushed in spirit, had wandered
home. Whatever might have been his early
vices, all now seemed merged in, the absorb
ing one Of avarice. Willeston unhestatingly
transferred the estate to his cousin, who was
mean enough to demand the accounts Of the
income which had been consumed since his
fathers death. He was paid to the uttermost
farthing, and Willeston wrote to me- stating
his pOverty-his determination to devote him
self to his profession for subsistence and
relnqushing his claim upon my hand. The
tone of his letter convinced me that, in giving
me back the faith had pledged. he had made
a sacrifice Of his happiness to sense Of duty,
and | resolved, under all circumstances, to
consider myself still plighted to him. This
wrote to him, and assured him that whenever
he was ready to claim my hand, it should be
his.
My father was unwilling that should do
this, and strenuously urged upon my accep-
lance the proposals Of another sutton heard
him with surprise and Indignation, but did
not then know all his motives. There had been
some strange troubles between my father and
mother, which had not been allowed 10 share,