Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-07-18


crowd showed the least desire 10 aid
assist or sympa,hlse with the distress o
the family. This is the world We
laugh at the msforunes of our fellow
creatures, and even mock their dsiresses
bv Witnessing IN slleace their sullerngs
The Auclioneer was now making his
arrangements, bv ilourishing his hammer,
rolling his eyes and using his tongue. -
The motley crowd gathered around him
The House was put up first, I, was ac-
curately described free from all incum-
brances, and subject To but very small
ground rent. II was started at five
thousand dollars There were several
bidders, all of whom seemed anxious
Ia purchase it, Seven thousand five
hundred dollars was at last bid, upon
which the Auctloneer dwelt for mo-
ment. Mr.. Sunderland compressed his
lips together, aud multered to himself,
1T cost my father fifteen thousand dol
lars Seven thousand i've hundred dol.
lars, going going --once-t~l --thrc,
times, for the last time going -'eighl
thousand thank Won sr-going al
eight thousand once eight thousand
twice-eight thousand three times
going gone-what name 2 Clifford,
was the response, and all eyes rested on
tail, noble booking man, who had re
mained silent during the rapio bidding
Of the specuaiors-and who, a. the
whisper went round was a total stranger
1T is gone whispered Mr.. Sunderland
tn his wife, as he pressed her hand ~
silent grief 'We have no home now. >
'Now, gentlemen, cried the aucioncer,
'wc will sell this sideboard, in regard to
which | am requested by the creditor to
say that it is .an old family piece, and it
/. the wish of the owner Ia retain it il
possible. merely mention this as il Is
known to you under what peculiar cir
cums'ances the things are sold.
This had the desired ehect--no one
seemed willing to bid against the unfor-
tunaie man, who started II at ten dollars
Twenty was hid by Mr.. Clifford twenty
five from Mr.. Sunderland fifty from
Mr. Clifford silenced the ANXIOUS parents
and the lan'ly piece Of furniture was
knocked down 10 the new owner of the
house. 4 gentleman who stood by re-
marked that the act was cold, nearIess
ono. 'Was IT, sarcas,ically asked Mr.
Clifford, 'then, sir, why did you not buy
it for him "
MIR. Sunderland was much affected at
this little incident lie lnlle knows
how much he has Iaceraled this heart. -
But ! will purchase the piano for nv
child lie stepped up to Mr.. Clifford
4 IL l.. al, 1, A
chase the piano for his daughter and he
hoped he would no, bid agains, him.
Sir said the stranger, i will not de-
ccive you, rs much as respect your
feelings, and the sympathy Of this good
company | cannot, nay, Will not, alter
the determination made when | first en-.
tered this house.
And pray, sir, what may that be 2
TO purchase every thing in it. and by
heaven, III do it, though pay double
price
Strange mu,tered Mr.. Sunderland
as he found his family ia another part Of
the room.
The stranger fulfilled bis promise, and
actually bougA every thing from the
house itself down to the very axe in the
cellar
After the sale was over, and the com
parry had retired, Mr.. Clifford requested
the auc,ioneer TO walk with him into an
ad Joining room. After the lapse ol
lew moments they both returned to the
parlor where hie family slli remained. -
The auctioncer looked around, gave a
knowing smile wisheG1hem all a good
dSy, and as he left the room was heard
TO say, Il never heard Of such thing /;
perfect romance, ha ! ha Ia y
you are nav, observed Mr. Sunder-
land to Mr. CIlfmd, 'thc owner OF this
house and lurni"e-they were once
mine--lei that pass.
Il am, SIR, for the time being, your
landlord
Il understand you, Sir, but will not
long remain your tenant was gong
to observe however, that there are two
or three articles which ar anxious t.
purchase that sideboard; for instance
j. family relIc-I will give ,on the
fifty dollars, the price you paid, and !
lesl assured, Uudcr the circumstances,
you will not refuse me this favor ?
i cannOt take II, Sir
'Obdurate uUgrateiu mGG.'
'Wll you not let Pa buy my piano,
Sir , hnmbly asked Ellen. lie viii
give you the price at which it was sold.
1T is painful for me, young lady, to
refuse even this-l will sell nothing
not even the wood saw in the cellar
'Then, Mr. Clifford, exclaimed Mr.
Sunderland 'ue have no further business
here come, nay dear Ellen, get your
bonnet-that's your band box-let Us
quit this house, we are not even free
from insult Where is Mary
Il am here, Sir-the key of my trunk
is lost, and am fastening It ith rope.
stop, my girl--but methnks | pur-
chased tha. trunk y ccolIy observed the
stranger.
MIR. Clifford am not so old, but
ihai can resent an insult--nay, will, il
sou carry this arrogant, and to me,
etraugc conduct much further; that poor
gir has been to me aud mine, the best
aad ! may say the only friend /; she has
remained wHh us III poverty, assisted us
~ our distress. not only with her purse,
bat her hands she is To- me not as SER
want, but one ol my laRil for there is
thank heaven uu such base distinctions
~ plNc,lv, lhui exists, in a state Of bloat.
ed wealth. Here, here, with nothing
i