The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1858-05-14
A FORCED SALE.
a TALE OF REAL LIFE.

1t was tcmpcstuous night, the winds
whispered fearfully-and hailStones whose
size threatened to demolish, the windows
ratified a5alnst them with a pertinacity, as
if to test their strength. In the parlor of
an old fashioned house beside rather a
comfortable fire OH such a night, was seat
ed the family Of Mr. Switzerland, consist
ing of himself, wife, da ighter and
faithful maid servant 4 heavy gloom,
more of sorrow than of anger, rested on
each brow: not 800" o-NU0PCfnS Ciiat or
49, ...a:I 90. ,...t .nu,lod ~, fron. I.o.,~
eager glanccs ever and anon cast towards
the family group, close observer would
have noticed the deep interest she took
in the cause of their grief. The picture
was a melancholy one, for virtue in dis
tress has no light shade to relieve; all
around is dark and sombre. The sensa-
tive artist would have thrown aside his
pcacil if the subject had been presented
to his view as we have described it, and
his heart would have rec lived an impress
sion which could not be transferred to can
vass.
Tomorrow" observed Mr.. Suthal-
land, is the anniversary of the me,,u~
ancholy death of our dear Henry --t9-mor-
row will be ten years since the vessel in
which he sailed, was lost aud all on board
perishcd----all, all" ".Alas," exclaimed
down her checks, tomorrow will be a
melancholy day. Indeed it will, for to-
morrow this house, which belonged to my
father----thc furniture which time has
made as it were, part of ourselves and
associated with many pleasing eventin our
lives, is to be sold----torn from us by the
unrelenting hands of creditors. But,
thank Heaven, misfortune, not crime, has
reduced us to this stage of poverty. -
No my child, unless with what little
money friend loaned me, can secure a
few articles Ellen, my dear, take pen
ell and put these down first the side
board, two beds, chairs and kitchen things
The side-bord, it is true, will be to US a
superfuous piece Of furniture but it be-
longed to my mother, and cannot, will
not part with it," But my piano pa -
must it go? The wife sighed, .ho lathe
cast his eyes towards the fickclng Ere.
and the daughter wa silent The fate
of the piano was decided upon, a melan
choly pause in the conversation PLAINLY
told how severe were the fcelirCs Of It's
victims when exacting the penalty OF a
bond.
eco Mary and request the sheriff's Of
ficer who is watching the property, to
walk into the parlor; he is only doing his
duty, no doubt is as painful to him as it is
distressing to us. Let him share seat
at our fire, for it is severe night" 1t
is fearful night, observed Mr.. Suther-
land, " and we have behaved rude to this
man."
Mother, made a fire in the room,
where he---but----"speak out child----it
was with the last stick"
" Father, it was---"
Mary returned with the officer, polite
gentlemanly man, for such should be the
character of men who have to perform a
part in the drama of lifc----unlikc that
of the inquisition of old, whose it was to
torture by the rack; with this difference
however, there was a physical torture
ours mental one, administered with all
the nicely of precision of legal Justice
The officer excepted the invitation, and en-
deavored to cheer. his victims by enumcrat.
ing many cases of similar kind, equal
poignant aud distressing. Thus the eve-
ming passed heavily and chcerlcssly away.
On the morning of the contemplated
sale, there was to be seen crowds Of pco-