Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-03-19
A SHABBY YOUNG MAN.
BY FRANCES DowNE.

Brookland, which now forms an elegant
and retired suburb Of New York, about the
end of the last century consisted Of few
country houses, scattered like sort of
hamlet along the banks Of the Hudson, and
built by those wealthy citizens whom for
tune enabled and taste prompted to retire
from the crowd and hustle of the town.
The families resident there were all Of the
same grade in society; thei- habits aud
pursuits were similar.
The greater part we're more or icrs con-
uected and as short distances produced
greater separation in thnse DAYS than long
ones do in ours, the little community stood
in gentle isolation from the negbboring
city; lived on its own money and impor-
lance; maintained colonial etiquette as
established in the time Of Governor Keith.
and 5,lieyed itself IF great consideration in
the world. Among the old gentlemen W no
looked after their gardens there, got their
letters once a week from town, and spent
their abundant leisure in discussing the
War If Independence (then but few wears
over there was none who stnod higher, in
his own esteem than Sedley Small, ESQ.
lli' family had been among thnse early
settl' RS who formed the English town Of
Amsterdam, little more than n century be-
fore the period Of tur story. His father
was one Of the first book sellers in the city.
lie made business for himself, which his
son inherited, and Sedley Small Esq, had
gone through an easy, prosperous life, with
no struggle, no difficulties in its course, and
very little distinction, except in bis own
opinions. lie bad married well, aud per-
haps wisely.
His wife was the daughter of flourish
ing merchant; had dowry equal to his
expectations; Understood all mamie. of
colonial housekeeping, from the making Of
buckwheat cakes to tie scourging If old
six gowns, VII oh, however incredible to
the ladies Of n odern Brookland, was then
the mode on the banks of the Hudson. Mr..
Small had hrlught up sons aud daughters
with as little trouble as any family man
could expect lie rad proooriioned and
settled them all-some IN the city, some in
the neighboring townships-and gathered
them round lin in Thanksgiving week,
the anniversary Of American Independence,
his own birthday, ard such like seasons OF
high celebration. Mr.. Small had lived in
troubled and changeful tmCs, Tut got
through them with little risk or loss He
was not n man to peril much fer the publ.
veal. Whatever was uIpermcst had his
support fer the time, although he never
went further on one side than a friendly
neutrality.
When the tea from Sandy Hook was
! thrown into the river, be thought il n dan
| gerous proceeding When Sears Assncia
tim declared for independence, ard Gen
! Lee, with his Connecticut Militia marched
into New York, MIR. Small considered the
J Union was decidedly right When the
! British troops took possession, and the
| Americans were defeated at Long Island.
| il vas his opinion that rebellion never
prospered. But when the Peace of Paris
vas signed, when the patriot soldiers were
| returning to their home and farms, and
| Washington was taken leave or his officers
| in front of Francis Hotel, Mr.. Small occu
pied very respectable place in the crowd
Of spectators, and said it was the pruudest
moment of his life.
With the quiet imitation of the Vicar of
Bray, Sedley Small, ESQ, had come to re-
! pose, not under his laurels, for he was never
the man to win them, but in bis handsome
country house, with everything that dollars
could purchase about him, an6 in highly
satisfactory state of mind regarding him
self, bis dcings, and bis consequence. In
common with most men who never tried
the strife, Mr.. Small had q mighty admira
ton OF success. With him it was the proof
OF talent and the evidence OF desert Men
who had achieved power, place, or popu-
!arity, were the saints of his calendar, and
at the head Of them all stood Benjamin
Franklin.
Whether because the nrintinp i,us;nass
| which the famous doctor had followed in
his unknown days, was in some degree re
lated to bOOkselling, or that the lightning
conductor, which kept his house safe in
thunder storms, made Mr.. Small sensible
Of the service done to the world by the
Phi adeiphIa philosopher, certain it was
that, next to himself Franklin occupied the
highest place in Mr.. Small's esteem lie
quoted his maxims on every possible coca
sion their sound, worldly wisdom cast
reflected glory on the prudence of the ex-
| bookseller. He kept his complete works
! bound in morocco with gilt edges, in bis
| best book case, aud showed, with special
pride. copy of his first essay on Liberty
and Necessity" printed in London. l726.
All Mr.. SmalPs friends were acquainted
with the curious chance by which the now
mighty priced pamphlet had come into his
hands. He was in the habit of rehearsing
1t regularly to every visitor at his house.
and also the fact that the essay had re
manned on one Of his lumber shelves fully
twenty years before he knew il was Frank.
Inns. That was the first edition ever
printed. There was not COPY so early to
be found in all the Union.