American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-07-02
YKEE AUCTEON:
A SKETCH FROM REAL LIFE.
BY JAMES REEs.

ar. BY JAMES REEFS. -
1t was q tempcstuous night; the
winds whistled fearfully, and hailstones,
whose size threatened to demolish the
windows of the houses, ratified against
them with determined pertinacity as
if to test their strength. In the par
lor of an old fashioned house, beside
rather comfortless fire on such q
night, were seated the family of Mr..
Sunderland, consisting of himself, wife,
daughter and faithful maid servant.
A heavy gloom, more Of sorrow than
anger, rested on each brow, not even
excepting the maid.scrvant alluded to
from whose cagar glances, ever and a.
non cast toward the family group, the
close observer would have noted the
deep interest she took in the cause of
their grief.
The picture was melancholy one;
for virtue in distress, has no light
shade to relieve it; all around and a
bout it is dark and sombre. The SEN
sitive artist woald have thrown aside
his pencil if the subject had been pre-
sentcd to his view as we have described
it, and his heart would havo received
an impression which could not have
been transferred to the canvass.
"To-morrow," observed Mr.. Sun,
lerland, "is the anniversary of the
death of our dear Henry, tomorrow
will be ten years since the vessel in
which he sailed was lost, and all on
board perishcd-all, all"
"Alas - exclaimed his wife, as the
tears coursed their way down her checks
tomorrow will be melanoh oily day."
"Indeed it will for tomorrow this
house, which belonged to my father
the furniture which time has made, as
it werc,a part of yourselves, and associa.
ted with many a pleasing event in our
lives, is to be sold; torn from us by the
unrelentinS hands of creditors but
thank Providence, misfortune not
crime has reduced us to this stage oi
poverty"
"Will they sell everything, pa car
we secure nothing?" asked the daugh
ter.
"No! my child, unless with what lit
tie money friend has generously loan
ed me | can secure few articles. FL
len, my dear, take your pencil and pu,
them down; first the sideboard, two
beds, sofa, chairs and kitchen things
| The side board it Is true, will be to us
now supernuous piece of furniture
but it belonged to my mother, and
cannot, will not, part with it u
"But my piano, pa, must it go?"
The wife sighed, the father cast hi,
eyes toward the flickering fire, ant
the daughter was silent. The fate oI
the piano was decided upon. A mel
ancholy pause in the conversation
plainly told how severe was the alter
native; for the law never studies tht
feelings of its victims when exactins
the penalty of bond.
600 Mary" said Mr.. Sunderland
addressing the servant, ego andreques
the sberiff's officer into the parlor h,
is only doing his duty. No doubtiti il
as painful to him, as it is distressing t
us. Let him have seat at our fire
and a glass of wine, for it is sever,
night"
| 1t is indeed fearful night" observ
ed Mrs. Sunderland, and we have be
hayed rude to this man."
| "Mother, I made fire in the room
where he is, but
"Speak out, ohild--it was with tn,
last stick"
"Fathor it VAS
Maryreturned with the officer, a DO
! lite, gentlemanly man for such sho't
be the character of men who have t
perform q part of tho drama life, no
unlike that Of the inquisitors Of old
whose province it was to torture by tn,
rack with this difference however, theirs
was o physical torture; ours menta
one, administered with all the Meet,
and precision Of legal justice! ThC
officer politely accepted the invitation
tasted the wine, and endcavored t.
cheer his victims by enumerating ma
ny eases Of similar kind, equally
poignant and distressing. Thus tn,
evening passed heavily and chcerless
Jy away.