Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-12-04

was aboit to be done at the mansion oc widow
Potter.
Late in the afternoon of cold, stormy lay
IN November, a Pcnnyless beggar called at a
neighborng house and enquired whether the
widow Potter lived in Tins part of the city.
His appearance denoted the most extreme
poverty; his emaciated form was reduced al
most TO skeleton deep turrows were drawn
IN his checks, and his tottering frame seemed
to be sifiened in every joint by disease or hard
ships. Yet there was something in his eye
that told he was born TO better fortune
Yes says his informant, at the very next
door, and tonight she is to be married.
is 10 be married J! said the brggar.
'IIow long hasher husband been dead =
these many long years; he went off to sea
and has not been heard of since
'lIow has she sustained herself since her
husbands dcath!'
'She has an unbcmshed charlcter.'
Has she any children =
'One daughter only, who has become fine
young lady
Il must see her before she is married !
have some communications of Importance
So saying, he hurried as fast as his feeble
Limbs would carry him, TO the splendid dwell
ing of the widow. The maid 10 attendance be.
ing summoned, and seeing beggar before her,
was about to close the doors against him, but
the stranger interrupted her by saying:
Madam, may beggar be permitted to see
the widow Potterr
we expect company tonight, answered the
maid Therefore you must leave immediately
The widow Potter must sce,' rejoined the
bcggar, interrupting her.
The maid, who would have been glad to dis
miss her unsightly guest at this juncture, began
to be somewhat angry, and passionately ex-
claimed, 'begcne ; we can't hear ye not now
But the man of want was still more impor,u-
nate, rightly thinking he was not likely to gain
admttancc without making known his err. nd
accostcd the maid still more earnestly, young
woman, have some tidings of very great i'm
portance to communicate to the mistress of this
mansion, which were given to me in trust by
Captain Potter, the former proprietor of this
place. At the mention of this he was per-
mittcd to enter. The lady, who was soon to
be Mrs. Morane, was informed that a rude beg
gar had some important information for her, and
desired TO see her Immediately, whcreupon she
arose 10 meet him but Morane, who could not
bear to have his intended bride absen. for mo-
ment, demonstrated.
let him be called in,' said he, if he has
any secrets to reveal, let us hear them together
Accordingly he was shown into the apart.
ment, where sat Mr.. Moranc, Mrs Potter, and
her daughter.
From whence have you wandered , asked
Mrs, Pottea.
From the vile shores of Barbary
Doubtless you have suffered much; cruel
people inhabit those regions
Much have suffered was once in easy
circumstances, but alas the elements have
sported with this vascil'atine frame !
Yes, deep are the lines cf hardship which
are marked on thy iurrowed cheeks
The wanderer gared on the young Miss Pot
ter and was observed to weep,
why those tears, hapless cid man. inquired
Mrs. Potter.
'Ah : rcjoined the trcmu'ous voice ofthe beg.
gar, Il once had daughter who might have
birthday dawncd on her chcrub form, these
eyes have never beheld her.
Come, come calculated Morane, who was
anxious that the intruder should iepart, let us
have your tale of secrecy
1T shall be given to Mrs. Potter only, and
to her alone
That cannot be- mutered Morane.
But have made a promise
What Of your promise =
ut is sacred as my life
We'll speak and depart, says Morane.
The beggar, who until now had been suppl
ant, assumed an attitude of authority, hs eye,
which had thus far been beamless kindled INTO
an expression of the most benign determination,
Il have, said he, "a revelation entrusted To
me by Capt. Potter himself
At the mention of his name, all was anxiety
and attention in her perturbation the mother
let fall volume of poems which she held in
her hand ; the daughter grew pale with solici'
tude, on hearing the name of her father,
'And sooner than betrsy my trust 'thi'
right arm shall PERISH.
| The pathos and vabo.,onca ,,,,b u,hioh h,