Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-07-04
BY GEO. II. BEAMAN.
'Moiher ! have made fire in the room


penticmanly man for such should be the /,
character Of the men who have to perform a |
nart of the drama Of lie, not unlike that Of
The inquisiors Of old, whose province it was
to torture by the rack, with this difference,
however; theirs was a physical torture
ours mental one, administered with oil
the nicely and precision Of legal justice
The officer polnly received the invitation
and endeavored TO cheer his victims, by e.
numera,ing many cases Of similar kind,
equally poignan, and distressing. Thus the
evening passed heavily and chceressly
away.
On the morning OF the contemplated sale
there wa. 10 be seen n crowd Of people
ilocking to the house OF Mr.. Sunderland -
Some out Of sheer. hear,lcss curiosity,
friends of the family who came with
mockcry on their lips--and empty purses.
Others with an intent to purchase but no one
among the crowd showed the least desire 10
aid. or sympathise with the distress OF the
family. This is the world; we laugh at
the misfortunes Of our fellow creatures, and
even mock their dstresses, by witnessing
in silence their sufierings. The auctioneer
was now making arrangements, by -four
ishing his hammer, rolling his eyes and
using his tongue. The motley crowd
gathered around him. The house was put
up first, it was accurately describcd--free
from all membranes, and subject to but
very small ground rent II was started at
five thousand dollars. There were several
biddefs, all of whom seemed anxious TO pur-
chase it. Seven thousand five hundred dol
lars was at last bid, upon which the auction
eer dwclt for n moment Mr. Sunderland
compressed his lips together, and muttered
TO himself. lit cost my father fifteen thor
sand dollars Seven thousand five hundred
dollars Going--going--o ncc---twicc--
three timcs--for the last time going
cigh, thousand shank you sir-going at
eigh, thousand. eight thousand twice
leigh, thousand three times going---gone
what namcf Clifford was the response,
and all ewes rested on a tall, noble looking
man, who had remained silent during the
the rapid bidding of the SPECTATORS land
who ms the whisper went round was a total
stranger.
4, is gone, whispered Mr.. Sunderland
to his wife MS he pressed her hand in silent
grief 'We have no home now
Now, gentlemen cried the auctionecr,
I'VE will sell this sideboard, in regard to
which am requested by the creditor to
say that i, is an old family piece, and it is
the wish ofthe owner to retain it if possible.
[ merely mention this as it known to you
under what circumstances the things arc
sold
This had the desired ef1ect---..no one
seemed willing TO bid agnins, the unfoltu
nate man, who started it at ten dollars 49,
: Twenty was bid by Clifford twenty-five
from Mr.. Sunderland; fifty from Mr., Cliff
= ford silenced the anxious parents and the
y family piece offurniture was knocked dowr
4 to the new owner of the house. A gentleman
p, that stood by remarked that the act wa'
= a cold hearlcss one. WAS it2' sarcastcal,
! asked Mr.. Clifford. then sir, why did yol
= not buy it for him p
=, Mr.. Sunderland WINS much affected a
y this little incident 'He little knows hos
!, much he has lacerated this heart. But
u will purchase the the piano for my child.
: He stepped up to Mr.. Clifford, and told hin
7 the desire he had to purchase the piano 70
:. his daughter and he hoped he would not BIZ
:, against him
: !, Sir said the stranger, Il will not deceiv
= vou as much as l respect your feelings
! and the sympathy ofthis good company;
~ cannot, nay, will not alter the determine
- ton made when first entered this house.
v sAnd pray sir, what may it be ?
&c TO purchase everything in it, and b
, heaven I'll do it, though l pay doubl
II price :,
u Strange muttered Mr.. Sunderland, Q
=, he found his family in another part of tn
n room
"' The stranger fulfilled his promise, an
actually bought everything, from the hous
70 itself down to the very axe in the cellar
After the sale was over and the compan
so had retired, Mr.. Clifford requested the au
ro tioneer 10 walk with him into an adJoinln
Of room. After the lapse of few momen
AZ they both returned to the parlor where Il
N family still remained. The auct;one'
: looked around gave knowing smile; wlsl
No ed them all good day Il never heard
such thing; a perfect romance, hal ha' hi
70. 'You are now observed Mr.. Sunderlar
10 Mr. Clifford. the owner Of this house al
n furnure--.they were once mIne----let IN
an pass
he Il am, Sir for the time being, your Ian
he lord
en- Il understand you, sir but will not lor
remain vour tenant; I was going to obser
Ig however that there was two or three artlcl
lot which nm anxious to purchase-tt
sideboard. for instance is family relic
will give fifty dollars the price you pal
'os and | feel assured under the Circumstance
ter you will not refuse this favor ?
de. Il cannot take it, sir
he 'Obdurate-ungrateful man.
fttr.lI .,o,, no. l., M buv my planO Sill