Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1867-02-21
THE AUCTION.
A Sketch From Real Life.
BY JAMES RERs.

It was tempestuous night, the winds
whistaed fearfully, and hail stones whose
size threatened to Aemolish the windows
ratified against them with determined
pertinacity IS if to test their strength. In
the parlor of a fine old fashioned house,
beside rather comfortless fire en- such a
night, were seated the family of MIR.
Sunderland, consisting Of himself, wife,
daughter and faithful maid servant. A
heavy gloom, more Of sorrow than of
anger, rested on each brow, not even ex-
cepting that Of the maid servant alluded
10, from whose eager glances, ever and
anon 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 enc, for
virtue in distress he no light shade to
relieve it; all around 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, snd his heart w"uld have re-
ceived an impression, which could mot
have been transferred to the canvass.
Tomorrow, observed Mr.. Sunder-
land, sis the anniversary Of the melan-
choly death Of our dear Henry-tc-morrow
will be ten years since the vessel in which
he sailed. was lost and ali on board per-
ished--all all"
"Alas," exclaimed his wife, as the tears
coursed their way down her cheeks, 'to-
morrow will be melancholy day"
Indeed il will for tomorrow this house
which belonged to my her-this furni-
ture which time has made, as it were q
part of ourselves, and associated with many
a plaasanteyent in our lives, is to be
sold-torn from us by the unrelenting
hands of creditors; but thank Providence,
misfortune, not crime, has reduced US to
this stage Of poverty.
Twill they sell everything, Pa-ca
we secure nothing?" asked the daughter.
"Nol my child, unless with what little
money friend has generously loaned me,
I can secure few articles.--Ellen, my
dear, take your pencil and put them down;
first the sideboard, two beds. sofa, chaiZs.
and kitchen things.-The sideboard it is
true. will be to us now a superfuous piece
of furniture, but it belonged to my mother
and I cannot, will not part with it."
"But my piano, Pa!-must that 60 p
Tho wife sighed, the father cast his
eyes toward the Aickering fire, and the
daughter was silent. The fate Of the piano
was decided upon. A melancholy pause
in the conversation plainly told how severe
was the alterpative-for the law never
studies the feelings of its victims when
exacting the penalty of bond"
go, Mary" said Mr.. Sunderland, ad-
dressing the servant. "ge and request the
Sheriff officer, who is watching the prop
erty, to walk into the parlor; he is only
doing his duty-no doubt it is painful to
him as it is distressing to us. Let him
have seat at our fire, and some refresh
snent, for it is severe night"
.It is indeed a fear full night" observed
Mrs. Sunderland. "and We have behaved
rude to this man."
"Mother I made fire in the room where
'speak out child-it was with the last
stick .... ..-....
Father, it was,
MARY returned with the officer, po-
lite gentlemanly man, for such should be
the character of men who have to perform
a part in the drama oflife, not unlike that
of tho inquisitors of old, whose province ii
was to torture by the rack, with this diff
ference, however theirs was a physical
sorture-ours q mental one, administered
with all the nicety and precision of legal
Justice 2 The officer politely accepted the
Invitation, and endeavored to cheer his
victims, by enumerating many cases of al
similaa kind, equally poignant and distress
sing. Thus the evening passed heavily
and cheerlcssly away.
On the morning of the contemplated
sale there was to be seen crowd OF peo-
ple fiocking to the house of Mr.. sunder-
land Some out of sheer, heartless curiosi-
ty, friouds of the family. who came with
mockery on their lips-and empty purses.
Others with an intent to purchase, but not
one among the crowd showed the least
desire to aid, assist, or sympathise with