Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-07-31
AlistEllntleous.
THE INSOLVENT DEBTOR.
: A TALE OF THE IRISH FAMINE.


| had Just returned from Canada, where | had
been on service with my regiment and had left
it in consequence Of the death of on uncle who,
contrary to my expectations, had named me as
his heir. The landed property to which succeed
ed was very considerable, and situated in Ire
land, to which proceeded without any delay ;
and, at the time speak of, was sitting in the
breakfast-room of one of the best houses in Mer-
rion square, which had been my uncle's and was
now mine, awaiting the arrival ofmy agent, who
was coming up from the country 10 meet me on
important business connected with the estates.
Now, though felt no objection to be the pos
SCISSOR of fashionable house, in town, and of a
fine ancestral place in the country, had a very
great objection to the trouble and bother which
this acquisition of property had entailed upon
me and it was, therefore, in a mood which was,
| fear, very far from being amiable or resigned,
that | contemplated the interview with Mr.. B.
As means of getting over the time, and of
banlshing unpleasant anticipations, | applied
myself with unwonted energy to the perusal of
the mornings paper, and having read the lead
ing article and fashionable intelligence twice
over, without however, deriving much consola-
ton from what read turned as last resource
to the list of insolvent debtors, when my atten-
ton was suddenly rlveted by name there,
which was quite familiar to "The Rev.
William Shelton"-Shelton and still it could
not be Bill Shelton, my old chum at school and
college. His father, General Shelton, was the
wealthiest of Indian nabobs, and when went
out to Glbralter, Shelton was going to be mar
red to that scamp Tom Crofton's sister, and had
then no more intention Of entering the church
than | had. Stranger things, however, have
happened; the name, at least, was the same, and
the Reverend" prefxed to it indicated that the
poor follow, whoever he might be, had seen bet
ter days. determined that would not leave
the matter in any doubt, and starting up from
my chair dressed and was on my way to the
Marshasea in less than ten minutes.
was sure of finding poor Shelton (if, indeed
it were Shelton,) at the Marshasea, for his name
was classed amongst those most wretched of its
wretched inmates, who, left without friend or Q
shilling in the world, are confined as paupers tC
the custody of the marshal, and are daily sup
Piled with a small allowance of food for thei
subsistence.
soon arrived at my destination, and inquired
whether Mr.. William Shelton was confined there
and if so, whether could see him. The turn
key who opened the gate replied, that he wa
still there. "But he is not likely to remain onl
with us" he added "he has been very bad al
this week, and the doctor says that he canno
hold out for more than two days longer, at til
furthest. you wish to see him, come with me
sir; and, indeed, it will be charity to do some
thing for him; for never a one has been next O
nigh him since he came here, and he seem
bruck down entirely, sir, and more's the pity, 70
he has the cut of the raIe gentleman about hir
after ALL"
l followed the compassionate jailor throug
. the dreary corridor of this abode Of misery, un
til he stopped before door at which he knock
ed, and feeble voice, which, though sadly a
tered, instantly recognized to be Shelton'
desired us to come in. entered, and the turr
= key closed the door, and left us together.
Poor Shelton did not at first recognize me, fc
the narrow, dust stained window threw but Ii
tie light upon the wretched apartment; but whe
spoke, and called him by his name, he stretcl
out his wasted hand from the miserable pallt
= upon which he lay, and murmured as presse
i it, " How very kind, how truly kind of you;
did not think had a friend left"
could not speak, felt so in nexpressb
: shocked and overcome, and the words of con
folt and commiseration which would fain hay
= uttered, died upon my lips. Suffice it to sa
that under the influence of emotions, such ha
y never experienced before, stood in silence b
, his side, until he spoke again. He then relate
to me in feeble accents, which were often inter
rupted by harrassng and exhausting cougl
the details of his bapless career.
" "When last saw you" he said, 81 was abov
' to be married to Crofton's sister, Mary. IIt
father and brother could with difficulty be nduc
ed to consent to connexion with the son of a ma
who had made his own fortune; and though,
r length, they did consent, they never after hi
marriage treated her with the affection whic
her virtues and devotion so we'll merited. 7
me they were but barely civil. After we hg
pc been married two years received letter fro
ct my father announcing his total ruin in cons
TO quence Of the failure of his Indian bankers.
en- This catastrophe completed the rupture with n
Iy poor Mary's family; but to you, who know h
e so well, need scarcely say that it made
Ii change in her."
om He need not have feared that could fol
,ht moment have doubted her; little did he que
en- how passionately, though hopelessly, had lov
ost her.
ye For some time Previous" he continued,
ill had entertained strong desire to enter
church you may not believe me, but the des
he WIS sincere. My wishes, however, had been
: strongly opposed by my father, that it was
ad until after his death, which took place shor
lily afterwards, that was able to carry my int