Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-12-26


many foreigners with whom Mr.. Mathews
was intimate was a NJ. Pile, who frequent
ly visited us after our neutrality-suspicious.
Pile and his wife, a pretty English wo-
man, had been married several years, but no
child had blessed the otherwise happy couple.
At the time when we became acquainted with
them, in York, the lady had given promise,
and in due time the critical moment arrived
which was to complete their happiness, as
they believed, by a more powerful bond of
union. On the evening when this event was
expected, and Monsieur Pile hoped to be-
come father, he invited himself to dinner
with us, desiring to divert, if possible, the
intensity of his feelings from the not less than
agony of suspense which he experienced lest
his dear beloved wife should fall sacrifice
to her situation. 1t was almost impossible,
even while Witnessing the husbands suffer-
ing, not to smile at the ludicrous expression
he gave to 1t.
Mr.. Mathews urged him to take more wine
than the habit of the abstemious Frenchman
would have allowed him to drink at any 9TH
er time; but now he seemed glad to use any
artificial means to sustain himself. A second
bottle of port had been produced, after dinner,
before any intelligence from home reached
the anxious husband, when 10 as he was
slipping second glass of the newly opened
wine, a servant from home was admitted, al
most breathless with haste, and announced
that his mistress was ''put to bed with fine
boy.' The rapture of the father was as
whimsical as had been his dread.-He was
flying off to see his first born; but prudent
message from the father was added, recon-
msnding Mons. Pile not to return immedi-
atcly but to wait, satisfied with present in
telligence, until summoned. To this he re-
lnctantly submitted !; and reseatng himself,
INDUCED in his future prospect of added bliss.
Nothing had been wanting but a son to per-
feet the interest Of his life; one child was suf-
ficient for their mutual wishes; indeed, as he
observed, large family would not be desira-
bic, or consistent with his means-and, as he
and his wife were no longer youthful, it was
not probable that any very serious increase to
his family circle would be expected--he was,
in fact, the happiest of men.
After short interval, the servant appear
ed once more, to acquaint Monsieur his mas
ter, that since his first message, .'Mistress
had got another BARN ~
Surprising was the news, and somewhat
damping, we thought, to the happiness and
satisfaction which the first intelligence so
indisputably occasioned. However, after the
first ejaculation of surprise, Mons. Pile
inquired how his wife was, and being again
assured there was nothing to fear, that he
would soon be allowed to see her, he appear
ed to resign himself to this two-fold bless
ing, observing, swell, well it cannot be
preyented-it is more den [ expect-mais |
not repine-two Shiktren at one time is ra-
ther inconvenient ct very expensive !--maiSe
n'mporte, | cannot help himl-I moost be re-
sign to it,
In thus manner he philosophical while he
slipped his wine, looking into the fire at the
same time, In musing attitude; now and
then, however, taking out his watch, and a.
gain expressing his anxiety lest his s.dear
wife" should be in danger. We had some
difficulty in preventing him from appearing
at his house before the ruling powers there
thought proper.
A third time his messenger rushed in,
more agitated and pale than at first. lie APP
peared to bring fatal news, for his eyes seem
ed alnost bursting from their sockets, and
his whole appearance was truly alarming to
us all,