Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-10-20
ATTACHMENT.
A STORY OF LOVE AND DEBT.

A curious anecdoie was once related TO
us, with name Of person. and place at the
date of the event, which we shall repeat for
the benefit of the rising generation, who, in
their haste to carry out their views, may
commit some mistake whose effect will be
permanent.
Mr.. Rhodes was the High Sheriff of -
county, Massachusetts; and his good name,
inherited from the father, and cherished by
the son, made him not only popular as an
officer, but rather wealthy as man. Why
Mr.. Rhodes had never got married, the la
dies could not ascertain, though they talked
the matter over and over very often; but
almost all said there must have been some
cause in his youth. (Mr. Rhodes was thirty
five, at least,) which was known only to
himself, and perhaps one other.
Some disappointment said Miss Anna,
a young lady who thought il wrong that gem
tenen should he disappointed some fatal
disappointment
Not at ALL said her maiden aunt, mo,
at all ; nobody ever thought that Mr.. r. had
courage enough TO offer himself to a lady.
He is so modest, that should like to sec
HIM make him PROPOSAL
| A>o oo""t VI ~ aunt, nO uOuUt OF IL
and TO hear him. too said Anna.
Your father and L. said Anna's moth
err, 'once thought that Mr.. Rhodes would Ger.
tainly marry Miss Susan Morgan, who then
lived in the neighborhood.'
Was he accepted by Miss Morgan p
asked Anna.
! don't believe she ever had an offer,
id aunt Arrabella.
.I:..rhans not said Mrs. Wilton, shut she
certainly deserved one from Mr.. Rhodes
and have frequently thought that, during
services in church, re was about TO make
proposals before all the congregation, as he
kept his eye continually on le,.
DO you Think asked Anna, that Miss
Morgan was as fond of him us he Appeared
20 be of her?'
'Shc certainly did not take the same
means of showing her feelings said Mrs.
Wilton, for she never looked at him in
church. and seemed to blush when, by any
means, she discovered that others had noiic-
ed his gazing upon her..
Il should Think said Anna, partly aside,
shat man like Mr.. Rhodes would not lack
confidence to address lady. especially if
she was conscious of her own feelings, and
of his nlirmity'
Mrs. W. smiled, and aunt Arabela was
about to say that no lady should ever evnec
her feelings under such circumstances, when
Mrs. Wilmot remarked that once, when she
had joked Miss Morgan upon her conquest.
she rather petiishy replied, that she may
have subdued him, but he had never acknowl-
edged her power
'Conques, and possession did not 90 to-
gether. them said Anna.
well, is this attachment the cause of
Mr.. Rhodes's single condition Was there
M one else at whom he could look in church,
who would be likely 10 look at him also =
said Anna, nodding towards her aunt.
No. said aunt A., with hearty smile,
None in the pew to which you allude.-
| at least was too strongly impressed with
the force Of the tenth commandment. thou
shalt not covet thy neighbours OK, nor his
ass ever to DO looking over Miss Morgan
at Mr.. Rhodes
One morning Mr.. Rhodes was sitting in
his office, when one of the deputies read of
a list of executions and attachments, which
no had in hand TO serve, and among them
was one against lady at a short distance.
The amount was not great, but enough 10
bring distress upon family.
Let me take that said the Sheriff, with
some feeling; il is out of your walk. and
| will drive TO tho residence Of the person
to- morrow morning.
The modest vehicle of the officer stopped
at the door of neat dwelling house in "A
retired, delightful situation, where all things
told of taste and economy. The Sheriff
opened the gate, assembled the steps of the
house, and asked il Miss Morgan was at
home.
The servant answered in the affirmative.
As Mr.. Rhodes passed along the hall, he
thought over the part he had TO perform
how he should introduce the subject-how
If the debts should prove ~ be onerous, he
should contrIve to tighten the burthen by
his own abilities; and whom he reached the
door, no had eonned HE sslSs,io" to the Ia