The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-06-26
VOL. TX.

had to purchase the piano for his daughter
and he hoped he would not bid against him.
Sir said the stranger, Il will not deceive
you as much as espectyourfeelings,a land the
sympathy of this good company; cannot
nay, will not alter the determination made
when | first entered this house..
And pray, sir, what may it beF
TO purchase everythingin it, and by heav-
en- I'll do it, though pay double price,
Strange muttered Mr.. Sunderland, as
he found his family in another part of the
room.
The stranger fulfilled his promise, and &C
tually bought every thing, from the house
itself, down to the very axe in the cellar!
After the sale was over, and the company
had retired. Mr.. Clifford requested the auc-
tioneer to walk with him into an adjoining
room. After the lapse of a few moments
they both returned to the parlor where the
family still remained. The auctioneer looked
around, gave knowing smile; wished then,
all good day, and as he left the room he
was heard to say, Il never heard of such a
thing; perfect romance, ha hal han
You are now,' observed Mr.. Sunderland
TO Mr. Clifford, the owner of this house and
furniture-they were once mine-let that
pass.
Il am, Sir, for the time being your land
lord
Il understand you, Sir, but will not long re-
main your tenant; / was going to observe
| however, that there was two or three articles
which | am anxious to purchase-that side
board, for instances a family relic-l will
give you the fifty dollars, the price you paid,
/ and feel assured, under the circumstances,
! Won will not refuse this favOr!'
Il cannot take it, Sir
! sObdurate-ungrateful man.
Will you not let Pa buy my piano, Sir!
humbly asked Ellen. He will give you the
price at which it was Sold
1T is painful for me, young lady, to refuse
even this-I will sell nothing-not even the
wood saw in the cellar
Then, Mr.. Clifford exclaimed Mr.. Sun
derland, 'lce have no further business here
come, my 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 with rope
Stop. my girl-but methinks purchased
that trunk cody observed the stranger.
Mr.. Clilford-I am not so old, but that L
can resent an insult-nay, will, if you carry
this arrogant, and to me strange conduct
much further; that poor girl has been to me
and mine, the best and | may say the only
! friend; she has remained with us in poverty,
assisted us in our distress not only with her
hands, bat her purse; She is not to me as a
servant. but one of my famlv-for there is
thank heaven-no such base distinction in
poverty that exists in a state of bloated wealth.
Here, here, with nothing but what we have
upon our backs-the master and the servant
are equal. She is part of my family, and
will protect her from insult. That trunk is
hers,an " no dare take it from her! Notyou,
sirl'
Mr.. Clifford cast his eyes upon Mary, who
at that moment arose from the floor-for a
moment they gazed upon each other in 81
! lence-'and she, you say, has been to you a
friend p
Indeed she hasa kind noble one.
Mr. Sunderland, stay-one moment, my
| good girl, put down that trunk-take seat,
madam; permit me, Miss, to hand you chair;
Mr.. Sunderland, will you be seated ? | have
vet something more to say. When you re-
quested me to yield up the wish had TO pur-
chase this sdeboard, told you that it was
my determination to buy it, and | tell you
now that | will not sell it,
This, Mr.. Clifford, needs no repetition
ave, but it does, and when that young lady
made the same request for her piano my an
swer was the same. Stop, sir, hear me out 1;
no man would act so without a motive; no
one, particularly a stranger, would court the
dispIeasure of crowded room, and bear up
| against the frowns of many without an object.
| Now had an ohject-and that was-be seat
ed sir-madam your attention-that object
was, to buy this house and furniture, for the
sole purpose of restoring them to you and
| yours againn
! Sir, is not this cruel JEST!
is it possble!' exclaimed mother and
daughter.
Amusement took possession of Mary, aud
her trunk fell to the floor with crash, caus-
ing her small stock of clothing to roll out,
which she eagerly gathered up, and thrust
back, without any regard to the manner in
! which it was DONE
! The auctioneer, continued Mr.. Clifford,
/ has my instructions,to have matters arranged
/ by the morrow. In the mean time you are at
/ home, Mr.. Sunderland you are in your own
house-and /, the intruder.
/ Intruder, sirl Oh say not that will tell
you what relief this knowledge is to me, but
]
/ all this-and what could have induced you, a
total stranger thus to step forward. All. a
thought strikes me-graciops heaven! Can
it be? look on me Mr.. Cliford-nay, start
not The stranger actually recoiled from
the glance of Sunderlands eye-look on me,
Sir; has that girl-that innocent girl-who
stands trembling there, any interest in this
generous act of yours l-speak sir, and let me
know at once, that may spurn your offer d
resent the insult
Twill not deny, sir, but she has,
INV, Father, dear Father! never before
saw the gentleman's face
Say not so, Miss
.Sir-I-I-indeed Father, -
Remember ten years back-call to mind a
light haired boy, whom you called
Brother -
Gracious heaven-Henry-my boy
is here-I am your long lost son!'
Need we add morel Our readers can read
lily imagine that more cheerful fire blazed
Il II