Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1839-07-20
y, MISSISSIPPI, SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1850.

tie had building lots, and water lots. an
all sorts of lots. He was the owner Q
towns, villages and counties.
10 obtain these invaluable privileges
he had paid every farthing Of his fift,
thousand dollars, had given his notes 70
several hundred thousands, and mortgag
led his estate to an unimaginable amount
He was great landhoider--one of tn.
lords of the soil. His word was good OF
change. Bank directors took their hat
off TO him. Dealers in fancy stock.
greeted him with smiles; and Mr.. Be
verley Lee was man estimated to BE-
worth millions of dollars. While the
delusion lasted, every thing went swim
mingly. What the people thought o
Mr.. Beverly Lee, Mr.. Beverly Lee
thought of himself. 1t was an exceed
ingly agreeable thing TO be rich-rers
rich, enormously rich, and to become Sc
too all of sudden, and without the least
exertion. Mr.. Beverly Lee purchased a
town-house, a country-house, a villa on
the banks of the Hudson, and he embel-
llshed his mansions with gorgeous fdrni-
ture. He gave entertainments TO his
friends, and RECALLED them with costly
viands. He rolled in riches. 1t was
pleasant-Uery.
Time, however, that rigid schoolmas-
ter, taught Mr.. Beverly Lee lesson,
which it would have been better for him
had he sooner learned. He knew he had
become suddenly rich, but it never oc-
Cured TO him that he might become sud-
denly poor. True, he had read that
riches take to themselves wings and fiy
away; but he read that passage as appli-
cable to other men, not to himself
When the veto came, he opened his eyes
and began to look about him. He fear
ed there would be a storm, but he did not
look for tornado. First came the as
SCISSORS, and demanded of him thump-
ing sum of money for opening streets
and improving his property. This Mr..
Beverley Lee paid, thinking it very kind
in them TO take such good care of his in
terests, considering he had not the hon
or of their acquaintance. Next came
the tax gatherers, with large demands,
which Mr.. Beverly Lee cancelled with
rather sorry grace. Then came the
holders of mortgages for their interest,
which drained Mr.. Beverley Lee of his
last shilling, and he was obliged to have
recourse 10 the banks for a new discount
to keep up appearances.
This he readily obtained, and things
went on very we'll with Mr.. Beverley
Lee, until the banks were compelled to
1eny him further favors.-Then his diff |
culties began to thicken. The notes he |
had given for his property fell due one
after the other and were protested. In |
walked the auctioneer, and began to |
Knock down his beautiful furniture, his |
library, his aacing-stud, his country
house, his town-house, and every thing |
hat was his, real or imaginary. His |
OTIS, building and water, reverted to their |
original owners; and Mr.. Beverley Lee, !
vas, in the year eighteen hundred and |
obliged to "acaddler out of |
Wall-street as '.lame a duck as was ever |
latched in that nest of disappointment
md speculation.
In an elegantly finished mansion near
he Battery, about a year after the |
events just related, a family were seated |
ound the evening fre-side. Emily |
Nithers was reclining on an ottoman, lis
ening to the conversation of her parents
md Mr.. Lawrence Payne, a young at
orney of small practice, but large ex-
who professed a great regard
or the Witherers in general, and the |
7oung lady in particular, who had on
everal occasions given him the most
proofs of her utter aversion.
lie, however was not easily discouraged,
nd continued his visits, the hopes of
ne day possessing not only the heart,
'ut, what was of more consequence to
i'm, the fortune of the lady.
Emily was lovely, dark eyed girl,
nd the reigning belle of the town. She
vas an only child, and the sole hope of
Ter fond and doting parents. She was
cry beautiful, and throngs of admirers
ad sought her hand in vain. On her
rst entrance into society, she was
Ight-hearted, merry creature, full of
nlrth and good humor; but of late, and
therefore none could tell, sad depres-
ing melancholy had taken possession of
er thoughts; and, as she leaned her
cad upon her hand, which was buried in
er luxuriant tresses, the most casual
hight observe that all was not at ease
bout her heart. She was listening, we
aid. to the conversation; and when Mr..
.ee's name was mentioned, a crimson
ush stole over the pearly texture of her
ice and bosom, which spoke more truly |
nan words. that she listened with an in
crest she in vain endeavored TO con-
cal.
81 do not Think said Mr.. Withers,
that Mr.. Lee IS the man you have rep
esented him." /:
81 am sure he is mott said his wife; I
nd the eyes of Emily kindled with emo ;
on as her mother spoke.
sWhatl'' said Payne, ssdid he not cheat
II his creditors, and run away?'
81 have heard that his failure was |
wing to the fall of real estate" said Mr.. |
Vithers. !
s.And from whom did you hear thatr {
iquired Payne. II
sFrom my friend Mivins. the broker,
18th whom, you may recollect, he had a {
ueI. which,"
ssEnded in s,noke,r said the Attorney
18th smile, intended to convey stron- (
er meaning than his words expressed
ksV aid b<I +,