Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1853-04-07
MIS- C Il / L An Y !.
HUMAN NATURE;
or THE BANKRUPT MERCHANT.

"
Raymond Wexford was considered. ii.
though very young man. one Of our most
fsurishiDg merchants. lie was a welcomed
guest in our 80 called highest circle Of fash.
ion, while many q calculating mamma re.
gardod him as > very desirable soh in law
in prospective! Suddenly he was over.
whelmsd BY pecuniary lssses and Fembar-
EASEMENTS, while the news spresd Is fast
- gossip tongues could report it. Strange
/ to say, although his elegant mansion bad to
be sacrificed, there was not debt which
remained inpa:d-whilc some money was
yet left with him. Wise men in the review.
q Of his conduct, were heard to say fiat he
was exceedingly honest or an inmoderate
fool y
hi what think ysu Of human nature, my
friend p said be to me.
II is q Philosophical enigma replied
Ne, Il found il strange eOmpanie j; The lar
ger portion Of which was selfshness For
instance the gliding of wealth cover
ed my name was sought after by the, very
men who now turn their backs upon me /
was fattered BY women, who if my name
was now mentioned in thoir presence, would
affect forgetfulness Of having heard it,
After dinner we will make some calls, dp.
ring which you will perceive some ample il
Illustrations Of what have said.
Accordingly sitter dinner We sat ont Il
We first entered the counting room If a
merchant, to whom he,introdhced me asa
friend Isoon learned that my friend was
not held 10 tho highest estimation from the
cold formslity with which be vas received
Ne did notlsysn have the courtesy qfehairs
49, tNs1 nae
mond bado the merchant . good afternoon,
and We found ourselves in the street
This u illustration number enS' Ray.
mend3ssid, lAughingly
il Il possible that you could ever have
been intimately acquainted with th'A man 2
i aaked
That man has beeny reduced to the ex.
tremi,y Of being obliged 70 beg bis dinners.
Time after time have thus aecomlnodated
him even loaned him money 10 com.
meDce business, and ySu see how graciously
he has entertained me and my friend
Il We next paused ut the door Of an elegant
mansion wherein Raymond had bebn FREE
Fquent and honored guest. Ii was thG resi-
dence Of professional gentleman pf large
fortune, who still did Raymond the justice
to regard him on all occasions as his FREUD
and to treat him as such His lady had
protested greater friendship for him tbari
her husband, if not for her own, at least for
her daughters sake-to whom rumor once
reported he was engaged Since Raymond's
misfortunes had been whispered she no
longer spoke Of him a. a dear friend, but
epdeavored to persuade her husband to rid
the house Of HIM which prosOked1the calm
II reply
II He isA gentleman, and as such i. is my
I will that ysp should entertain him when.
ever he may. honor your house with bis
presence
On this account I suppose We were tolsr-
ated in the present instance, for tie gentle
man was net at home. The lady treated US
rather coolly. which I was prepared 10 see
After We were seated Raymond enquired
for Miss Richards, her daughter to which
the lady replied with an apparent shrug Of
the shoulders, that she was we'll, but at pres
4 ent engaged
sNo mamma, am net,' said the beautiful
! girl, as she lightly entered the room. lam
happy 10 meet an old friend, Who, am
sure, is not the less welcome BY being IN.
fertGnate'
The lovsrs-for they really vere-had
not met since Raymonds misfortune, and
their meeting was now 50 heartfelt that I
ccaid not for moment doubt thu Affections
Of either. saw also the cloud which rest
ed upon the brow Of Mrs Richards, nsr was
surprised 4 hear her say
my daughter il 50 PLEASANTLY engaged
Il gentlemen, that trust my presence i
20 lsnger required, and without eereneny
she left the room.
CLARA, said Raymond, taking her vhifs
baud ire Al my fsndeSt hopes 70 Be realized
Can the daughter Of Awstlthy gentleman
cendsscend e aeknsWIeigs her Affection foz
II poor bankrupt merchant e
The fair girl biushsl and locked doubt
.fal a me
/ DO not fear 10 speak IN bis presence said
4 Raymsn1, fer Psnville next - yourself i
II perhaps ny best friend
sThsn listen she said, smiling sWsetly
4 few weeks sfo b. che csnssnt sf my Pc
! t@nts, solsnnIy plirktsd ny ISve e eDl