Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-06-18
Storq-Grllrr.
THE AUCTION.

1t was a tempcstuous night, the winds
whistlcd fcarfully, and hail stones. whose
size threatened to demoish the windows
ofthc houses, ratified against them with
determined pertinacity, as if to test the:l
strength. In the parlor of fine, old
fashioned house besides rather uncomfor.
table on such night as this, were seated
the family Of Mr.. sunderland, consisting
OF himself, wife, dauy yhter, aud faithful
maid servant. \ heavy gloom more OF
sorrow than of auger. rested on each
brow, and even excepting that of the
maid servant alluded to, from whose
eager glances ever and anon cast towards
the family group, the close observer
would have noted the deep interest takeI
in the cause of their grief.
The picture was melancholy one, foi
virtue in distress has no light shads to
relieve il; all around nd about it is dark
and sombrc
"To.morrow," observed Mr.. Sunler-
land. is the anniversary Of the mclan-
choiy death Of our dear Hcnry--to NOR.
row will be ten years since the vessel in
which he sailed was lost and all on board
peri-hcd-all, ALL
Alas exclaimed his wife, as the tears
coursed their way down her checks, to
morrow win be a melancholy day
lndeed it will, for Tomorrow thi.
house, which belonged to my father
this furniture which time has made, as il
were, part of ourselves. and associated
with many Il pleasing event in our lives
is to be sold, but thank Providence. mis-
rtune, not crime, has reduced US to tin,
state of poverty.
.Will they sell everything father
can we secure nothing asked the daush
ter.
NO my child, unless with what mon
ey friend has generously loaned me
can secure a few articles. Elen,my dear
take your pencil and put them down
first, the sideboard, two beds, sof, chain
and kitchen things. The sideboard. il
is true, will be TO US now, supcrfuous
piece Of furniture, but it belonged t.
my mother, and cannot-will not par
with it,
The wife sighed, the father cast hi.
eyes toward the fickcring fire, and the
daughter was silent. The fate of tht
piano was decided upon. A melancholy
pause in the conversation plainly tole
how severe was the alternative-ior The
law never studies the feeling of its victims
when cxactins the penalty of a bond.
= =
Or the morning of the contemplated
sale, there was to be seen crowd of pco
pie hocking to the house of Mr.. Sunder
land Some out OF sheer, heartless curl
osity, friends OF the family, who eam'
with mockery on their lips-and empty
purposes. Others with an intent to pur
chase, but no one among the crowd show
ed the least desire to aid, or assist o.
sympathlze with the distress Of the family
This is the world we laugh at the mis-
fortunes of our fellow creatures. and eyel
mock their distresses, by witnessing in 81
lence their sufferings.
The auctioneer was now making hi
arrangcmcn,s,by tiourishing his hammer
rolling his eyes, and using his tongue
The motley crowd gathered around him
The house was put up first; it was ac
cur4tely descrbed-free from all encum
brances. and subject to but a very smal
ground rent. 1t was started at five
thousand dollars. There wcre severa
bidders, all Of whom seemed anxious tC
purchase it. Seven thousand five hun
dred was the last bid. upon which TIN
auctioneer dwelt for a moment. Mr.
Sunderland compressed his lips together
and muttered to herself, 1t cost my
father fifteen thousand dollars Sever
thousand. five hundred, going-once-
twice-three time-for the last timl
going-cight thousand-tbank you sir
going at eight thousand-once-eish
thousande-twice-eight thousand-thre'
times going gone what name =
Clifford. was the response; and all eye
rested on a tall noble looking man, whit
had remained silent during the rapid bid
dings of the speculators, and who. a
the whisper went round, was a tota
stranger.
It is gone whispered Mr.. SUNDERLAND
tohis wife, as he pressed her hands in
silent grief, we have no home now,
Now, geitlemen.' cried the auctioneel
I'VE will sell this sideboard in regard tt
which l am requested to say that it i,
an old family piece, and it is the wist
of the owner to retain it if possible.
merely mention that it is known to yol
under what peculiar circumstances the
things are Sold This had the desired
etfect-no one seemed willing to bid
against the unfortunate man, who started
it at ten dollars. Twenty was bid by
Mr.. Clifford; twenty-five from SUider-