The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-07-18
Speak GU, child--it was with the last

Mary returned with the officer, polite
gen,lemanly man--for such should be the
character of men who have to perform a
part in the drama of lfe--unlike that Of
the inquisilors of old, whose province it
was TO torture by the rack with this
difference, however, theirs was a physi.
cal ,oriure-ours a mental one, admins
tered with all the nicely and precision OF
legal Justice ! The officer politely accep-
ted the invitation, and endeavored TO cheer
his victims by enumeraling many cases OF
similar kind, equally poignant and dis
trcssing.-I'hus the evening passed heay-
lily and cheerlessly away.
On the morning of the contemplated
sale, there was to be seen crowd OF peo-
pie flocking TO the house OF Mr.. Su,her-
handsome out of sheer, henriless curio-
sily, friends of the family, who came
with mockery on their lips, and empty
purses, others with an intent 10 purchase !;
but not one among the crowd showed the
least desire to aid, assist or sympalhize
with the distress Of the family. This is
the world we laugh at the mislorlunes
of our fellow creatures, and even mock
their distress, by Witnessing in silence
their suiferings. The auctioneer was
now making his arrangements BY flourish
ing his hammer, rolling his eyes, and
using his tongue. The motley crowd
gathered around him. The house was
put up first; it was accurately described
free from all membranes and subject
to blu. very small ground rent. 1t was
started at FIVE thousand dollars. There
were several bidders, all of whom seemed
DESTROYS to purchase it.
Seven thousand five hundred dollars
was at last bid. upon which he dwell, for
a moment. Mr.. Sutherland compressed
his lips together, and muttered to himself.
: it cost my father fifteen thousand dol
lars
Seven thousand five hundred dollars,
Observation-Disclosures times, for the
last time going
Eight thousand
Thank yon, sir. Going at eight
.housand--once, eight thousand, twice
eight thousand, three times, going, gone
What name 2
Clifford was the response and all
eyes rested on tall, noble looking man.
who had remained silent during the rapid
bidding Of the spectators (; and who, as
the whisper went round. was total
stranger.
1T is gone whispered Mr.. Sutherland
TO his wife, as he pressed her hand in ST.
lent grief; we have no home now
Now, gentlemen said the auclioneer,
I'VE vii! sell this sideboard, in regard ia
which am requested 10 say by the credi'
tor. that it is an old family piece, and i,
is the wish. of the owner 10 retain posses
sion of it if possible. merely mention
it, as it is known to you under what Pc
culiar circumstances the things are sold.
This had the desired effect no one
seemed willing to bid against the unfor.
tunale man, who started il a, ten dollars
Twenty was bid by Mr.. Clifford twenty.
five by Mr.. Sutherland; fifty fom Cliff.
ord silenced the anxious parents, and the
i, family piece of furniture was knocked
down to the new possessor Of the house
A gentleman who stood by remarked tina
the act was a cold hearless one.
WAS it 2 sarcaslically asked Clifford
then, sir, why did you not buy it fo
him.
Mr.. Sutherland was much affected by
this incident. He little knows how
much he has laceraled this heart. But
will purchase the piano for my child
He stepped up to Mr.. Clifford and ,olt
the desire he had TO purchase the pian'
for his daughter, and he hoped he woul'
not bid agains, him.
Sir said the stranger, as much as
respect your feelings, and the sympath!
of this good company, cannot, nay, will
not alter the determination made when
first entered this house,
And pray what may that be 2
TO purchase everything in it, and, b,
heavens, I'll DO it, though | pay doubl
the price,
.Srangc, muttered Mr.. Sutherland
, as he found his family in another part Q
, the room.
, The stranger fulfilled his promise an
actually bought everything, from tn
y house itself down 10 the very axe in IN
: cellar!
Alter the sale was over and the com
pany had retired, Clifford requested tn
/, auc,ioneer to go with him into an adjoiu
Q ing room. After the lapse at few mo
\ ments, they both returned 10 the parlo'
a where the family still remained. III
auc,ioncer looked around, gave them
d knowing smile, and, as he left the room
d was heard to say, Il never heard OF sue