The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-07-12
A SKETCH FROM REAL LIFE

SKETCH FROM REAL LIFE.
1t was a tempestuous night. The wind
vhstled fearfully, and hail stones whose size
threatened TO demolish the windows, ratified
against them with pertinacity as if TO test
their strength. In the parlor of fine old
fashioned house beside rathera comtortless
fire such night, were seated the family OF
Mr.. Sunderland consisting of himself, wife.
daughter and faithful maid servant. y
heavy gloom. more Of sorrow than anger
rested on each brow, not even excepting the
maid servant alluded to, from whose eager
gances, ever and anon cast towards the fami
" group, the close observer would have mott
ced the deep interest she took in the course
of their grief
The picture was melancholy one, for vir-
tue in distress has no light shade to relieve;
all around and about it is dark and sombre.
The sensitive artist would have thrown aside
his pencil if the subject had been presented
to his view as we have described it. and his
heart would have receiv d an impression, which
he could not have transferred to the canvas.
Tomorrow observed Mr. Sunderland is
the anniversary of the death of our dear Hem
ry; tomorrow will be ten years since the yes
sci in which he sailed, was lost and all on
board perished-ali, all
Alas exclaimed his wife, as the tears
coursed their way down her cheeks, TO NOR
row will be the melancholy day
Indeed it will for tomorrow this house
which belonged to my father-the furniture
which time has made, as it were, a part of
ourselves, and associated with many pleas
ing event of our lives, is to be sold-torn from
US by the unrelenting hands of creditors; but
thank Providence. misfortune. not crime. has
reduced us 10 this stage of poverty
viii they sell everything, Pa-shau we
secure nothing? asked the daughter.
No. my child, unless with what little mon
ey a friend has generously loaned me. l can
secure few articles. Ellen, my DEAR take
your pencil and put them down: first the side
board, it is true, Will be to us now super
fuous piece of furniture, but it belonged 20
my mother, and cannot. will not part with
ti'
But my piano. Pa! must it go?'
The wife sighed, the father cast his eyes to-
wards the Pickering FIRE. and the daughter
was silent The fate of the piano was decid
ed upon. A melancholy pause in the CONVEX
sation plainly told how severe was the alter
native; for the law never studies the feeling of
lis victims when exacting the penalty of A
bond.
Go, Mary said Mr.. Sunderland addre
ing the servant, go and request the sheriff :
officer, who is watching the property, 10 walk
into the parler; he is only doing his duty-no
doubt it is distressing TO us. Give bim seat
at our FIRE, and glass of wine. Tor i. is a Sc
we're night
1t is indeed a fearful night observed Mrs
Sunderland. and we have behaved rude 10
this man.
Mother, made FIRE in the room where he
Is, but
Speak out. child-'twas with the last stick
Father it was
Mary returned with the officer. a polite gen
temanly man. for such should be the charac-
Ter oi men who have 10 perform part in the
drama of life, not unlike that Of the inquisi-
.orS ot old. whose province it was TO torture
oy the rack. with this difference however,
thelrs was physical torture-ours mental
one. administered with all the nicely and pre-
cisoa of legal Justice The officer politely
accepted the inyita.ion--tas;ed the wine, and
endeavored to cheer his victims, bv enumera-
ing many cases OF a similar kind, equally
Poignant and distressing. Thus the evening
passed heavily and cheerlessly away
oh 'he morning OF the contemplated sale,
there was @ Dc seen crowd Of people flock
ing 10 tne hoase OF Mr.. Sunderland Some
our of sneer. heartless curiosity-friends oil
the family who eame with mockerv on their
~
tent 10 purchase. but not one among the crowd
showed the least desire 10 aid. assist. or sym
pathiSe with the distress of the family Ihi.
Is the world; we laugh at the mi>fortanes o
our fellow creatures, and even mock their dis
tresses. by Witnessing in silence their safer
ings
Ihe aucloReer was now making hrs sF
rangement, by fiourishing his hammer, Tcll
ING his eyes and using his tongue. The mot
ley crowd gathered around him The hous,
was pat up FIRST; i. was accurately described
,ree from all membranes, and subject I,
ous very small ground rent. 1t WAS sssr,eC
a. nve thousand dollars There were seyers
bidders. all of whom seemed anxious 10 uur
Shase IT. Seven thousand FIVE hundred dol
iArs was at last bid upon which the auction
eef a"eis Tor a moment. Mr.. Sunderland
compressed his lips together. and rxuttered L
l,seit, II cost nv father fifteen thousand
eo'4aFs 'Seven-seven thousand dollars
seven thousand FIVE hundred dollars. roine
-oace-twice, three time: for the last time