Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-04-28
CHAPTER SECOND.
THE SALE.

Monday came at last, and all the world
went to the sale Of Mrs. Harden's effects
that is, all the good people which composed
the world of the large street in which Mr..
Harden had for years carried on an extensive
business, and had been looked upon by his
neighbors as one of the richest men in the
place. How condescending they all were
TO the poor widow on that day how they
commented upon and pitied the unfor-
tunate circumstances which had placed
her in her present Notifying situation -
and that without any regard to the feelings
of the poor sufferer, whose presence was
deemed necessary by her friends, on this try
rig occasion. Whilst discussing the value
OF the beautiful mahogany dinlng-table, a
group of these sympathisers quite forgot they
had Partaken from it of q sumptuous meal.
But times were altered now. The widow
Of John Harden was poor, and they we're
rich. 1t was quite right that pride should
have fall, and her acquaintance was val
ued accordingly.
what have you done with the fine mir
ror, Mrs. Harden = asked one of the lady
inspectors of the furniture. IF it went verv
cheap, should like to buy it for my draw
ing room.
1t will not be sold, a'am, returned
Robert. MY mother will take it with her
10 the Cape
Bless me! Mrs. Harden what use will
you find for such costly mirror as that
amongst the Caffres and Ho,tentots? One
would imagine that it is one of the last things
upon earth that you would require said the
disappointed applicant.
The old fool y whispered another kind
neighbor. l always told you, Mrs. Hutton,
that Mrs. Harden was the vainest woman in
town. You will believe me now
;. Does Mr.. Sylvester know, ma'am, that
the mirror has been kept back 2 asked the
aforesaid Mrs. Hutton, with spiteful twin
kle of her envious black eyes. 1T will spoil
the sale. For my part, it was the only thing
that thought worth coming SO far 10 pur-
chase. The rest of the articles she NUT
tered, in an under tone, TO Mrs. Barry, are
old-fashioned trash-not worth looking at.
How the heart Of the poor widow sweled
at this affront to her household gods and god.
desses. These Lares, that, for eighteen
years, she had been accustomed to regard
with such silent homage; in the keeping in
good order Of which, she and her numerou.
Abigails had bestowed so many hours of,lme
which might have been better employed, ir
the rubbing and polishing, and which she
justly considered had been objects of envy
and admiration to her less wealthy neighbors
And had It come to this was she doomed
6 to hear them openly despised by vulgar
low-bred woman, who had never been able
to purchase anything halfso costly3 A phi
losopher would laugh at such ridiculous
cause for grief But Mrs. Harden was nj
: philosopher-she was weak, erring wo
! man, still too much in love with the world
:. : and The worlds patry prejudices, not to fee
these things very keenly. How often mus
our hopes be disappointed-our warm affec
. tons crushed-and our generous confdenc,
abused, before the mind rises superior 10 tn
:, selfish usages of society, and, leaving tn
" friendships of earth, seeks the appreciation o
|, conscience, the confidence and love of God
Glorious adversely despised as thou art b,
the sons Of men, from thee all that is grea
and noble in our nature emanates. 1t is on
;, y thou which teachest US knowledge O
= !" self, and the lnsufficiency of human mean
!, to satisfy the heart
" The sale went on without the mirror, an
- the furniture sold better than Mr.. Sylvestc
expected; nay, such was the eagerness @
:. people to buy bargains, that old, worn-ou
. carpets and curtains sold for as much as the
= cost when new. while things of real valu
!. were purchased for trihe.
!. Is it Not vexing,' whispered the widow I
% Mr.. Sylvester, as he hustled amongst tn
n crowd, encouraging purchasers or judicious
10 y bidding on any article which he though
Il was going too low, to see the good article
given away in this manneri'
s. Never mind, friend said the Quake
le rubbing his hands with satisfied air; II
h. sales good sale after all. II the drawing
room brings but small returns, the kitche