Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-03
Selected Gales.
From the american Citizen.
EDGAR PRESTON,
Or the Hard Merchant who was
not Hard.
BY Harry Hazard.


from Phiadelphia, lived a merchant by
the name Of Preston. A prosperous busi-
ness enabled him to support comfortably
wife, and family Of FIVE children, the
youngest son. But reverses came upon
him one Of his customers largely indebt-
ed to him failed. A cargo ofgoods, upon
which there was no insurance, was lost in
the Delaware, and to complete his mis-
fortunes, fire swept every thing before
it, except few articles Of furniture.
The busy tongue Of slander uncharia-
bly, whispered that the fire was pre-
meditated d fraud upon the insurance ofiice !;
bu, alas his policy had expired only three
days before. Nevertheless the sIander
gained currency, and reached Preston's
ears the wanton attack upon his cbarac-
ter soon brought on fever which termi-
mated fatally.
On his dying bed he seemed to look
upon his son as the only stay Of his
widowed mother and orphan sisters.
Edgar Preston was now about twelve
years Of age, remarkably sprightly and
intelligent lad, bot what could he do to-
wards Supporting family ?
\ His mother hired a small house, md
furnishing scan,ily with articles saved
from the fire, opened little school -
BY the aid Of her daughters, who de-
voted themselves To needle work she was
enabled to live with economy for four
years. In the meantime Edgar was en-
ployed in assisting his mother. and in
perlecling himself in those studies neces-
sary to fiji him for business.
Abou, this time the ruinous monetary
arrangement of the country took place,
and many Of Mrs. Preston's patrons
thought it necessary to withdraw their
children. Some did so for other reasons,
and her school was broken up.
1t did not enter into the hearts of her
christian neighbors to ask how she and
her children should live perhaps they
imag gined that with an income of less
than two hundred dollars per unnum she
had grown rich
The family were seated around their
scantiy furnished table, in the dim twi-
light A loaf Of bread, pitcher, and a
few thin slices of cheese, constituted the
bill of fare but the humble widow,
though depressed, was grateful. Mrs
Cavilton will call this evening to settle
for those Shirts said Jane, the eldest
daughter, 'and the last one is not quite
done
1T can make no difference, presume,
said her mother, you can finish it to-
night, aud Edgar can take it home in the
morning.
ooh mo,her' said Charlotte, the
Youngest and lvelesl Of the sisters, you
don't know Mrs. Cavilton, she is queer
and hard to please
/. 'You should not say SO, replied the
widow, Mrs Caviton may have (oIbles,
but it is our duty to try to please those
upon whom we are dependent
/ 'Yesn thought Edgar, that is the
word dependent and on whom ? Such
as the arbitrary, purse proud woman.
/ Mrs. Cavillon entered Just as the girls
had finished the shirt She was exceed
ingly paironiZing in her air, and before
she proceeded to business, made the
most particular inquiries 'or Mrs, Pres
/ toms health. No one could be more
condescendingl polite appear more anx.
| ious, or have been in truth, more iDdihler-
ent to the replies She then narrowly
inspected the work, to detect If possible
ed, said she, don't you wash your work
before you send it homer
NO madam SAID Jane, that is not a
branch ur our business
MY patience alive y said the patron
ess with well affected aston,shne Il
always had my work sent home clean
and nice, in fret rate. order. The Mis-.
ses Fosters worked for me, and Mrs
Edgington too, and they never sent my
work until II WAS beautifully washed
, The Misses Fosters and Mrs. Edg
ine'on may do 80, madam, but We neve
do
well, thea you surely cannot ex
nact ma IN INV you full nrica the "A q n