The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-05-17
Vol. III.
THE FORCED SALE.
TOUCHING TALE FROM REAL LIFE.

1t was a tempestuous night the
wiads whisted fearfully--and hailstone
whose size threatened TO demolish the
windows, ratified against them with
pertinacity as if to test their strength.
ln the parlor OF fine old-fashoned
house, beside rather a comfortless fire
on such night, were seated the family
of Mr.. Sutherland, consisting of him
self, vie, daughter, and faithful maid
servant. A heavy gloom, more Of sor-
row than of anger, rested on each brow,
not even excepting that of the maid
servant alluded to, from whose eager
glances, ever and anon cast toward
the family group,a 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
to relieve; all around it is dark and
sombre. The sensitive artist would
have thrown aside his pencil, if the sub
ject had been presented to his view as
we have described it, and his heart
would have received an impression
which could not have been transferred
TO canvass. ...
."To-morrow," observed Mr.. Suther-
land, SIS the anniversary of the melan-
choly death of our dear Henry-to-
morrow will be ten years since the ves-
sci in which he sailed was lost, and all
on board perished--alI, all"
"Alas," exclaimed the wife, as the
tears coursed their way down her
cheeks, ,",o-morrow will be melancho-
Iy day."
"Indeed it will, for tomorrow this
house, which belonged to my father
the furniture, which time has made, as
it were, part Of ourselves, and associa-
ted with many a pleasing event in our
lives, is to be sold-torn from us by the
unreenting hands of creditors. But,
thank Heaven, misfortune, not crime.
has reduced us to this stage of poverty"
"Will they sell everything. Pa?--can
we secure nothlng" asked the daugh.
ter.
"No, my child, un ess. with what lit
tie money friend has generously loa-
ned me, can secure few articles. El-
len, my dear, take your pencil and put
them down first the sideboard, # wo beds,
chairs and kitchen things. The side
board, it is true, will be to US now a
superhuous piece OF furniture, but it be-
longed TO my mother, and | cannot.
will not par, with it."
"But my piano, Pa!-must il goy'
The wife sighed, the father cast his
eyes towards the Pickering fire, and the
daughter was silent. The fate of the
piano was decided upon. A melancho-
ly pause in the conversation plainly
told how severe was the alternative
for the law never studies the feelings of
it's victims when exacting the penalty
of bond.
$50, Nary" said Mr.. Sutherland,
addressing the servant, ''go and request
the sheriH'S officer, who is watching
the property, to walk into the parlor;
he is only doing his duty-no doubt it
is as painful to him as distressing to US.
Let him have seat at our fire, for it
is severe night"
sit is, indeed, a fearful night" obser-
sed Mrs. Sutherland, sand we have
behaved rude to this man."
"Mother, made fire in the room
where he-but-"
''Speak out, child-it was with the
last stick"
"Father, it WAS"
Mary returned with the officer, a
polite, gentlemanly man--for such
should be the character of men who
have to perform part in the drama Of
liie--unike that Of the inquisitors Of
old, whose province it was to torture
by the neck; with this difference, how
ever, theirs was physical torture
ours mental one, administered with
all the nicely and precision Of legal
justice! The officer politely accepted
the invitation, and endeavored to cheer
his victims by enumerating many ca
ses of similar kind, equally poignant
and distressing. Thus the evening pas
sed heavily and cheeressly away.
On the morning of the contemplated
sale, there was to be seen crowd Of
people flocking to the house Of Mr..
Sutherland-some out Of sheer, heart
less curiosity, friends of the family,
who came with mockery on their lips,
and empty purses-others with an in
tent to purchase; but not one among
the crowd showed the least desire to
aid, assist, or sympathize with the dis
tress Of the family. This is the world; /;
we laugh at the nisfortunes Of our
fellow creatures, and even mock their
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