Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-07-12
THE AUCTION.
A SKETCH FROM REAL LIFE.
BY JAMES RERS.

BY JAMES RERs.
1t was a temresluous night, the wind wills.
tied fearfulIy, and hail stones whose size
threatened to demolish the windows, ratified
against them with pertinacity as if to ties,
their strength.-!r the parlor ola fine old
fashioned house, beside rather comfort
less fire on such night, were seated the fami-
ly of Mr.. Sunderland, consisting of himself,
wife, daughter, and faithful maid servant, a
heavy gloom more of sorrow than Of anger,
rested on each brow, not even excepting that
of the maid servant alluded to, from whose
eager glances ever aud anon cast toward the
family group, the close observer would have
noted the deep interest she took in the cause
oftheir grief.
The picture was melancholy one, for
virtue in distress has no light shade to relieve
it; all around and about it is dark and SOM
bre. The sensitive artist would have thrown
ASIDE his pencil, if the sublec. had been pre-
scented TO his view as we have described it,
and his heart would have received an impress
sion which he could no, have transferred to
canvass.
Tomorrow observed Mr.. Sunderland,
lis the anniversary of the melancholy death
of our dear I1enry-to-morrow will be ten
years since the vessel in which he sailed was
lost, and all on board perished-all, all.'
ALAS exclaimed his wife, as the tears
coursed their way down her cheeks, 'to-mor-
row will be melancholy day.
Indeed it will, for Tomorrow this house
which belonged to my fatler-the furniture
which time has made, as it we're part of
~
event in our lives, is to be sold-torn from us
by the unrelentng hands Of creditors; but,
thank Providence. misfortune, not crime has
reduced us 10 this stage of poverty
Will they sell everything, PAGAN we
secure nolhing!' asked the daughter.
No my child unless with what little mon
ey friend has generously loaned me, can
secure few articles. Ellen my dear, take
your pencil and put them down first the
sideboard. two beds, chairs and kitchen
things. The side-board it is true, will be a
superAuous piece of furniture, but it belong.
ed to my mother. and cannot, will not par,
with it,
But my piano, Pa must it go7'
The wife sighed, the father cast his ewes
toward the Pickering fire, and the daughter
vas silent. The fate Of the piano was deci-
ded upon. A melancholy pause in the con-
versation plainly told how severe was the o.
ternative-for the law never studies the feel
ings of its victims when exacting the penal
ty of bond.
go, Mary said Mr.. Sunderland, address
sing the servant, go and request the Sherf's
officer, who is watching the property, to
walk into the parlor he is not doing his du-
ty-no doubt it is painful to him, as il is
distressing TO US. Let him have seat at
our FIRE, and cup Of tea for It is severe
night,
1t is indeed a fearful night observed
Mrs Sunderland, land we have behaved
rude to this man.
Mother. made fire in the room where
he is, but
Speak out child-t was the last stick
Father it VAS
Mary returned with the officer, polite
gentiemanly man; for such should be the
character Of men who have to perform
part OF the drama Of life, not unlike that of
the inqmstors OF old, whose province it was
to torture by the rack, with this difference.
however; theirs was physical torture
ours mental one, administered with all
tne h'cety anu precision Vi Iegai justice y
The officer politely accepted the invitation
and endeavored to cheer his victims, by
enumerating many cases Of similar kind
equally poignant and distressing. Thus the
evening passed heavily and cheerlessly away.
On the morning of the contemplated sale,
there was to be seen a crowd of people flock
ing to the house of Mr.. Sunderland. Some
out Of sheer, hear,less curiosity, friends of
the family who came with mockery on their
iips--and empty purses. Others with an
intent to purchase, but no one among the
crowd showed the least desire TO aid, or SYM
pa,hise with the distress Of the family. This
is the world we laugh at the misfortnnes Of
our fellow creatures, and even mock their
distresses, by witnessing in silence their snf-
ferings The auctioneer was now making
his arrangements, by hourlshing his hammer,
rolling his eyes and using his tongue. The
motley crowd gathered around him. The
house was put mp first, il was accurately de-
seribed-free from all incnmbrances, and
subject to but very small ground ront. II
was started at five thousand dollars. There
~sre several bidders, Ill of whom seemed
ANXIOUS to purchase il. Seven thousand five