The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-07-16
NUMBER 8.

The family seat was 10 be publicly
sold, and the fearful day arrived. While
1t was put under the hammer, a new bid
der appeared, apparently front from = dis
lance; his horse dripped with sweat, and
his countenance was pale and agitated.
The property, as usual in such cases,
was going at half its value, and the s!ran-
ger bid ii of. Mr.. Courtney was still
the occupant, and the new proprietor wal.
ted on him immediately.--Isabel had that
moment left her father for some domestic
call, and the unfortunate man was musing
on their impending expulsion from their
recent residence, when Alvah Hamilton
stood suddenly before him.
"W elcome, most welcome TO Inv heart.
dearest Alvah," he exclaimed 81 can no
longer welcome you to my house. You
have come to witness my removal from all
that was once mine. | am now here on
| Iy on sullerancc. Tomorrow may have
no shelter for my head"
"Not So" cried AIyah; "you have vet
a shelter, your present home is still yours,
and no earthly power can expel you from
it,"
"What mean you ?" said the astonish-
cd Courtney.
"Fourteen years SINCE" lie replied,
'you presented my father a sum which
preserved him from want and secured my
subsequent wealth.-lle received it but
as a loan, and that debt devolycd on me.
True, you disclaimed it, but it was vet
Iuncancelled Reluctant TO offend YOU, |
delayed lis dischargc-though the amount
was long since appropriated, in my imagi
nation, for that purpose. 1t has not, how
ever, lain idle.-The profits of the house
IN which some years ago became part
ner, have been considerable. Your little
capital has acquired its share, and its
amount this day has redeemed your for
leited estate. BY mere accident had
seen it advertised, and | lost no time in
Fastening hither, and now." he added,
taking the hand of Mr.. Courtney with a
smile, evil you not welcome your AL
yah to your home! 1t is not long since
you gave me check on your friendship
i have come 10 claim it and surely
You can no longer refuse the title of my
benefactor, when from your bounty de-
rived not only wealth, but the unuitcra-
bic pleasure of this moment"
MIR. Courtney wcpt. The thoughtless
man Of the world wcpt at the sacred ,ri-
umph of virtue. Alvah himself was over
come by the scene, and paced the floor
IN silence. A portrait of Isabel hung di-
rectly opposite him, and it now caught
eye. Starting back with amazement, he
gazed at it as aloyely phantom. look
ed indeed like thing of life. The blue
eye seemed TO beam with expression
through It's long dark lashes, and there
was surely breath on the deep red lip.
Just as the auburn hair was parted on her
white forehead when he last saw her,
Just so its shining ringlets slrayed over
her snowy neck.
"Tell me-" he a, length exclaimed,
turning to Mr.. Courtney, "who is the ORR
gnal of this picture ?"
Surprised at the agitation of his man
ner, Mr.. Courtney replied, shave you
never seen her."
"Scen her! Dyes; her image has long
been engravcn on my heart: but of her
name am yet ignorant"
"Iler name is Courtney" said the as
tonishcd father; "she is my only child.'
"Gracous heaven ~ exclaimed Alvah,
"what new excitement awaits me ~
"May ask the cause OF this emotion,
Alyah ! How, or in what manner, have
you known my beloved Isabel"
Alyah gave a wild and passionate de-
scription of their early and limited ac-
quaintance, and the long concealed attach
mcnt Of his daughter was at once revealed
to Mr.. Courtney.
"Tcll me-" he said taking the throb-
bng hand of his friend, 'tcll me, Alvah,
in all sacred faith, if this imperfect know
ledge Of my child has awakened a senti-
mcnt of tenderness.
Alyah flung himself into his arms.
"Ah, sir, have not cherished her me-
mory through the long season of utter
opelessness--has not my spirit turned
from all the alurcments of the world, to
commune with the recollection of her vir-
tues :"
Mr.. Courtney left the room in silence,
and returned with the trembling Isabel.
"You are worthy of each olhcr," said
he, and, joining their hands, he invoked
the blessings of heaven on the dearest OBJ
iccts of his heart. He then left them TO
pour out his gratitude to him who had
thus redeemed the everlasting promise,
cast thy bread upon the waters, and
thou shalt find it after many days"
"h dongerJrom official Interference"
as the culprit said when the sheriff was
} ate" linn,