The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-04-15


violence in the case. What Time did you
leave your Office, Mr. WileyP
Enrly in the evening", replied the lawyer
promptly.
Then, ifthere had been n rencontre Just
here, you could not have heard itP
mo!
Relieved in mind, Mr. Wiley went into his
office, but he was uble to Intend 10 IL very lit
lie business during the day. The dread 'hut,
in some way, suspicion would rest upon him
haunted hun every moment.
A Coroner's jury was called and an inquest
held over the body ofthe young man curly in
the morning. The verdict rendered, was
Death from violence by lie hands of some
person or persons unknown When the
tenor of this verdict reached The lawyers
ears, il, in no degree, added TO his happiness.
But time passed, aud not the slightest whis-
per of Il suspicion against him was breathed
upon the air; nor could he breuihed, for
young Porterfield had mentioned to no one
his designs Of calling upon Wiley. lie had
stepped into an eating house and called for
oysters and some brandy punch. While cut
ing the oysters and drinking his punch, he
overheard the broker, who had brought up
his fathers paper for Wiley, relating the cir
cumstances to some one in an adjoining box,
and commenting upon the cold-heurled man
ner in which Mr. Purterfeld had been ruined.
lnAnned by this intelligence us well as by
the strong glass of liquor he had taken, The
young man instantly retired from the cellar,
aud went directly to the lawyers Office. The
result is known.
The violent and mysterious death Of his
son, was Il dreadful affection TO MIR Porter
field, aud bowed him for time, almost TO
the earth. But he recovered HIMSELF forced
into activity by the pressing wants of his
family. After he was broken up, he made
several attempts TO get into business again ;
but, as heavy claims still rested against him
he found it impossible to get credit even
from his best business friends. No attempt
was made TO get full release from his credl-
tors, III consequence Of the balance still un-
paid, TO Wiley, aud some two or three others
from whom, after what bud pissed, he could
not hope for any favor The best thing that
offered, was the collection of small accounts
for newspaper establishment, which he un-
dcrtook to do. He found il extremely iaIigu-
ing, and the returns suml in fact, made
qualc 10 the maintenance of his family, with
which he Ind retired into a very hGnIble IL
bodc. dismssing all servants, aud limiting
everything to the simple necessaries of life.
Things presenting this aspect of affairs, Mrs.
Portertield, vino, as has already been intlna-
tod, was Il woman of decided character, rep
3
necessity that existed for their seeking TO
maintain themselves, and thus relieving their
father. Their education being defective, they
could not undertake the teaching oiany thing.
All that was left for them was 10 acquire
some skill, by the exercise of which, money
could DO earned. Tho apparent cheerlulness
with which Mrs. PorIerfield bore their sadly
altered circumstances, aud the wise words
she uttered in relation thereto, gave strength
and patience TO the minds Of her daughters.
hey applied themselves, diligently, to the
duties they had assumed, and in the course
of n few months, were ready 10 go out into
families 10 sew, one as tuiOress and the
other us a dress maker, aud 10 earu regularly
their three dollars each IA week, which, added
to what their father received for collecting,
made the income of the family approximate
more nearly to its wants. Cast down from
the worlds high pieces, and afflicted as they
had been, the family of Mr. Porerfield were
better contented and more cheerful than was
imagined by those of their old friends, who
occasionally thought of them. Aiter year
or two, the collection of accounts paid better
and enabled Mr. Porteriield to supply his
home with more comforts, though II yielded
nothing over a support, But as he had given
up all hope of ever recovering himself aud
getting once more ahead in the world, he ielt
thankful and contenied.
1T is not the external condition so much as
the internal state,' he remarked to his wife,
after all things around them hud assumed the
aspect of permanence. Il dou't know but
we are as happy now as we were when we
had our thousands at commando
we may be quite as happy for we have
enough TO give us contentmeni, and it is truly
said, that a contented mind is continual
FEAST ... .-.
1T greves me sometimes to see our daugh-
tiers reduced to the necessity of earning a
support by daily labor. II is so different from
what they were raised to expect. | cannot
but feel that TO them it must be irksone and
disheartening.' ..
'They think and feel right on the subject
replied Mrs. Porteriied. 1T is their duty,
and they enter upon and perform it cheerfully.
They do not appear TO be unhappy
mo-
'And they are not unhappy
i This conversation took place about year
after the daughters of Mr. PorterfeId had
commenced going out into families 10 sew.
On the same day Mr. Wiley said TO his wife.
THAT is very lady-like and interesting
young girl you have sewing for YOU
She certainly is,' replied Mrs. Wiley. Il
saw her at work al Mrs. Todd's & liked her so
well, that engaged her TO come and sew for
me couple of weeks
DO you know who she is?
Her name is Miss Porterfed.'
Not the daughter of Portcried, the mer-
chant, who failed few years ago."
The same. Mrs, Todd was telling me
about her. She says that her flther was
broken up in consequence ofone oi his cred
tors refusing to give him any time, and driy-
ing him into general assignment and album
donment Of business. Since thut lime they
have been very poor, and the daughters, who
were raised amid fashion aud elegance, have
IN Lon do IN t,uf