Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-03-04

required repose, and was not unwilling
TO escape the cares Of mercantile HE,
and acceded therefore 10 his wishes.
A dashing new sign with "FlETcDFh
AppiSoroS," in lcuers Of gold, usurPed
the place OF the plain white one with
"ADpiNoToN s. SoN" upon II IN black
letters, and the son "onle diem" entered
upon the heritage of his father. Al the
Same time residence was purchase d
near the city, combining the advantages
of town and county, and the title made
m the name Of the son. The good old
man committed all things into his hands
his stock in trade, his money, his
house, his all and was 10 spend the
cnlm evening Of his days in uninterrupted
ease with his children, u pcnsioner upon
,hc uDdoubted gratitude of The son to
whom he relinquished every thing.
lie did not Tor moment reflect mai
children, accustomed from earliest M
fancy TO regard their parents as their
natural protectors, never feel their de-
pendencc in receiving benefits OF gifts
through life, but that the case is very
different when parents come 10 export
ence a dept ndence upon their childlen :
and that ~ the tenure Of some property
IN ihe.r own hands, they have the guar
aniy Of love and tenderness from them
in the double feeling Of gratitude aud
oil interest. in confidence and affection
he bestowed all, and looked for filial
piety to soothe the declining eve of one
whose iuro of life had been toll. In the
love Of his children; IN cessation from
labor, and the companionshiP Of few
tried old friends, he hoped 10 abide
quietly until The time Ct has departure,
and lie down at length with tranquility
on tho couch oi death.
Fletchcr's wife was fashionable wo-
man, The daughter of gentleman IWho'
had been rendered bankrupt Ivy his ex
pensiya living. TO her husband she
brought no money but on the contrary
an ambition for display and prodigalIty
for which his means were entirely III
adequate. Proud, supercilious, and sell
fsh-a heariless votary Of iashion--u
is mol to be presumed that she was either
calculated or disposed TO make her ia
ihcr-in-law happy. The old man was
too plain in his person and manners to
please hor iastdious taste and she did
rot hesitate TO exhibit her contempt OF
him and the old friends who came To see
him. lie was soon given to understand
that he must have less company-thoiI
ihcir dry conversation and rude jcsts
were not TO be tolerated where polite
and fashionable persons were accus-
toned TO converse. One by one his
friends, who perceived their presence
WAS unwelcome to the lady of the
house, ceased TO visit him, and the old
man pined far converse and company.
Ills son, no less than his wife, seemed To
regard him with GOODNESS of manner that
scarcely amounted TO civiny and he
could not but feel that his presence was
oppressive to them.
In the parties that were given at the
house, aud in the chance assemblages
of persons, no one conversed with him
no one noticed him In time, he was
requested not to appear at table when
strangers were present, but to await his
meals in a private room. After this the
graceless daughter began to complain,
That lie injured The settces and lounges
by placing bis feet on them-that he
leaned his back in his chair soiling the
paper Of the room with his head-and
that he spat upon the car1e,s--thai his
was not suitable for their
visitors, and that his presence east a
gloom over them. The natural pride of
lis heart had been increased by his po-
siion in society, aud the example and
sugge sliUns Of his wife, until ceiling was
slifled, and the inhuman son consented
10 the proposal TO give the father, TO .
whom they owed avery thing, the ex-
elusive use of one room and to confne II
him 10 IL AT all times. /
The old man lived here almost in soli-
ude, for his children for days together
lid not come into bis room, md he saw
'nly the servants who came to wait upon
Iim and serve mp his food. This con-
sisted in general OF the broken meats
eft from the table Of the family, though
he supply was abundant.
A short time after transferring his pro-
,ery to his son, the old man perceived
his error. The evident change Of man.
'er which took place in their conduct
vas well calculated 10 wound his feel
ngs, while in the reckless expenditures
Il home, the waste OF money abroad, II
nd the neglect Of business in the store,
c ioresaw the loss of all for which he
ad enslaved himself in life. Remon-
frances were in vain-as they failed To ,
Ioduce a change Of living and only
revoked unkind replies. IL
Time passed on, and the room which s
he father used was required for a nurse
y, and he was removed to an old out Q
ouse on the place, ut some distance I
ON the mansion house. This was a II ,
eyere blow to the old man, for although 4:
C had no sympathy from his ungraeiuI
on and daughter, his grand children
'ere a source OF happiness TO him and
, their smiles and inlaniile carcsses he '
fen forgot the heaItlessness Of their '
"rents. They were frequently in his I
pom, and were the only prop Of com l
'Tl Tint stayed his wearied spirit. The Il
ut IN which he was placed was old and n
"ray"d, and much out Of repair, hut {
be Hon promised TO have il made tho / fl