The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-08-15
THE AUCTION.
A Sketch from Real Life.
M | S G E L L A N 7
BY JAMES REFS.

III was elnI'eStuouS NY Nv l. NC Wluuo
whistled fearfully, and hail stones, whose
size threatened to demoIish the windows,
ratified against them with pertinency
as if to les, :heir strength. In the parlor
Of fine, old fashioned house, beside rath-
er comfortess fire on such nigh, were
seated the family of Mr. Sunderland. con.
sisting Of himself and wife, daughter and
Il faithful maid servant. A heavy gloom
more of sorrow than anger rested on each
brow, not even excepting the maid servant
alluded to, from whose eager e .ances, ey-
er and anon cast towards the family group
the close observer would have noticed the
deep interest she took in the cause of their
grief.
The picture was melancholy one, for
virtue in distress has no light shade 10 re-
lieve; all around and about tits dark and
sombre. The sensitive artist would have
thrown aside his pencil, if the subject had
been presented to his view as we have
described it, and his heart would have re-
ceived an impression, which he could not
have transferred to the canvass.
Tor morrow observed Mr.. Sunderland,
is the anniversary of the death of our dear
Henry--to>morrow will be ten years since
TIE vessel in which he sailed, was lost,
and all on board persisted all, all
Alas exclaimed the wife, as the tears
coursed their way down her cheeks, to-
morrow will be a melancholy day.
Indeed it will, for tomorrow this house
which belonged to my lather-the furnl-
ture which time has made, as 1t were, a
part of ourselves, and associated with ma
ny pleasing event in our lives, is to be
sold torn from US by the unrelenting
hands Of creditors; but,thank Providence
misfortune, not crime, has reduced US 10
this stage Of poverty.
Will they sell every thing PAGAN
we secure nolhing2 asked the daugh.
ter.
No my child, unles with what money
a friendhas generously loaned me, can
secure few articles. Ellen, my dear,
take your pencil and put them down -
first The sideboard Two beds, chairs and
and kitchen things. The sdeboard, it
is true, will be 10 US now superauous
piece of furniture, but it belonged to my
mother, and [ cannot, will not part with
il
But my piano, Pa must it go?
The wife sighed, the father cast his eye
towards the Pickering fire and the daugh,
ter was silent. The fate of the piano was
decided upon. A melancholy pause in
the conversation plainly told how severe
was the alternative; for the law never
studies the feelings OF his victim when
exacting the penalty of bond.
Go, Mary, said Mr.. Sunderland. ad>
dressing the servant, 60 and request the
Sheriff's oficer,who is watching the prop
erty. to walk into the parIor, he is only
doing his duty--no doubt it is painful to
him, as il is distressing to US. Let him
have seat at our fire, aud glass of our
wine. for i is severe night.
1t is indeed fearful night, observed
Mrs. Sunderland and we have behaved
rude TO this man.
Mother,I made fire in the room where
he is, but
Speak out child,-twas with the last
stick.
Mary returned with the officer, polite
gentleman y man, for such should the char
acter be oil men who have to perform part
in the drama of life, not unlike that Of the
inquisitors 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
the nicely and precision Of legal justice !
The officer politely accepted the invitation
---tased the wine g endeavored TO cheer
his victims, by enumerating many cases
OF similar kind, equally poignant and
dslressing.-Thus the evening passed
heavily and cheerlessIy away.
On the morning of the contemplated
sale, there was to be seen crowd of
people aocking to the house OF Mr.. Sun,