Alida Part 33

[_A&M_:

This wreck of fortune I might have survived, had I to sustain only my equal dividend of the loss; but of the merchants with whom I have been connected, not one remains to share the fate of the event; all have absconded or secreted themselves. To attempt to compound with my creditors would be of little avail, my whole fortune will not pay one fourth of the debts, so that compound or not, the consequence to me is inevitable ruin.]

"To abscond would not secure me, as most of my remaining property is vested in real estate; and even if it would, I could not consent to it.

I could not consent to banish myself from my country, with the view to defraud my creditors. No: I have lived honestly, and honestly will I die. By fair application and industry my wealth has been obtained, and it shall never justly be said that the reputation of my latter days were sullied with acts of meanness. I have notified and procured a meeting of the creditors, and have laid the matter before them. Some appeared favourable to me, others insinuated that we were all connected in fraudulent designs to swindle our creditors. To this I replied with becoming spirit, and was in consequence threatened with immediate prosecution.

[_A&M_:

"To abscond would not secure me, as most of my remaining property is vested in real estate. And even if it would, I could not consent to it; I could not consent to banish myself from my country; to flee like a felon, to skulk from society with the base view of defrauding my creditors. No, I have lived honestly, and honestly will I die. By fair application and long industry my wealth has been obtained, and it shall never justly be said, that the reputation of my latter days was stained with acts of baseness and meanness.--I have notified and procured a meeting of the creditors, and have laid the matters before them. Some appeared favorable to me; others insinuated that we were all connected in fraudulent designs, to swindle our creditors. This I repelled with becoming spirit, and was in consequence threatened with immediate prosecution.]

[["acts of baseness and meanness": The edition of _Alonzo and Melissa_ that is generally closest to _Alida_ has the single word "baseness".]]

Whatever may be the event, I had some hopes that your happiness, Theodore, might yet be secured. Hence I proposed your union with Alida before our misfortunes should be promulgated. Your parents are old, a little will serve the residue of their days. With your acquirements you may make your way in life. I shall now have no property to give you; but I would still wish you to ensure to yourself that which you prize far above, and without which, both honours and emoluments would be unimportant and worthless."

[_A&M_:

Whatever may be the event, I had some hopes that your happiness, Alonzo, might yet be secured.--Hence I proposed your union with Melissa, before our misfortunes should be promulgated.--Your parents are old; a little will serve the residue of their days. With your acquirements you may make your way in life. I shall have no property to give you, but I would still wish you to secure that which you prize far above, and without which, both honors and emoluments are unimportant and worthless."]

At this moment a loud rap at the door interrupted the discourse, and three men were ushered in, which proved to be the sheriff and his attendants, sent by the more inexorable creditors of Theodore's father and company, to levy on the property of the former, which orders they faithfully executed by seizing the lands, tenements, and furniture. We will not stop the reader to moralize on this disastrous event--the feelings of the family can better be conceived than described.

[_A&M_:

At this moment a loud rap at the door interrupted the discourse, and three men were ushered in, which proved to be the sheriff and his attendants, sent by the more inexorable creditors of Alonzo's father and company, to level on the property of the former, which orders they faithfully executed, by seizing the lands, tenements and furniture....

We will not stop the reader to moralize on this disastrous event.

The feelings of the family can better be conceived than detailed.]

Hurled, in a moment, from the lofty summit of affluence to the low vale of indigence, Christian philosophy after a while came to the aid of the parents, but who can realize the feelings of the son? Thus suddenly cut short, not only of his prospects of future independence, but even present support, what would be the event of his suit to Alida, and stipulated marriage? Was it not probable that her father would now cancel the contract? Could she consent to become his in his present penurious situation? and could he himself be willing to make her miserable?

[_A&M_:

Hurled in a moment from the lofty summit of affluence to the low and barren vale of poverty! Philosophy came to the aid of the parents, but who can realize the feelings of the son! Thus suddenly cut short of his prospects, not only of future independence, but even of support, what would be the event of his suit to Melissa, and stipulated marriage? Was it not probable that her father would now cancel the contract? Could she consent to be his wife in his present penurious situation? And indeed, could he himself, consent to make her his wife, to make her miserable?]

In this agitated frame of mind he received a letter from a friend in the neighbourhood of Alida, requesting him to come immediately to his house, whither he repaired the following day.

[_A&M_:

In this agitated frame of mind he received a letter from his friend in Melissa's neighborhood, requesting him to come immediately to his house, whither he repaired the following day.]

This person had ever been the unchanging friend of Theodore; he had heard of the misfortunes of his family, and he deeply sympathized in his distress. He had lately married and settled near the residence of Alida's father. His name was Raymond.

[_A&M_:

This person had ever been the unchanging friend of Alonzo; he had heard of the misfortunes of his family, and he deeply sympathized in his distress. He had lately married and settled in life;--his name was Vincent.]

When Theodore arrived at the house of his friend, he was received with the same disinterested ardour he had ever been before, in the day of his most unbounded prosperity. After being seated, Raymond told him the occasion of his sending for him was to propose the adoption of certain measures which he doubted not might be considered highly beneficial, as it respected his future peace and happiness. "Your family misfortunes,"

continued he, "have reached the ear of Alida's father. I know old people, generally speaking, too well to believe he will now consent to receive you as his son-in-law under your present embarra.s.sments. The case is difficult, but not insurmountable. You must first see Alida; she is now in the next room; I will introduce you in; converse with her, after which I will lay my plan before you."

[_A&M_:

When Alonzo arrived at the house of his friend, he was received with the same disinterested ardor he ever had been in the day of his most unbounded prosperity. After being seated, Vincent told him that the occasion of his sending for him was to propose the adoption of certain measures which he doubted not might be considered highly beneficial as it respected his future peace and happiness. "Your family misfortunes (continued Vincent) have reached the ears of Melissa's father. I know the old gentleman too well to believe he will consent to receive you as his son-in-law, under your present embarra.s.sments. Money is the G.o.d to which he implicitly bows. The case is difficult, but not insurmountable. You must first see Melissa; she is now in the next room; I will introduce you in; converse with her, after which I will lay my plan before you."]

Theodore entered the room. Alida was sitting by a window which looked into a pleasant garden, and over verdant meadows where tall gra.s.s waved to the evening breeze; further on, low valleys spread their umbrageous thickets where the dusky shadows of night had began to a.s.semble. On the high hills beyond, the tops of lofty forests, majestically moved by the billowy gales, caught the sun's last ray. Fleecy summer clouds hovered around the verge of the western horizon, spangled with silvery tints or fringed with the gold of evening.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo entered the room; Melissa was sitting by a window which looked into a pleasant garden, and over verdant meadows, whose tall gra.s.s waved to the evening breeze. Farther on, low vallies spread their umbrageous thickets, where the dusky shadows of night had begun to a.s.semble. On high hills beyond, the tops of lofty forests, majestically moved by the billowy gales, caught the sun's last ray.

Fleecy summer clouds hovered around the verge of the western horizon, spangled with silvery tints or fringed with the gold of evening.]

A mournfully murmuring rivulet purled at a little distance from the garden, on the borders of a small grove, from whence the American wild dove wafted her sympathetic moaning to the ear of Alida. She was leaning on a small table as she sat by the window, which was thrown up. Her attention was fixed. She did not perceive Raymond and Theodore as they entered. They advanced towards her; she turned, started, and arose. With a melancholy smile she said she supposed it was Mrs. Raymond who was approaching, as she had just left the room. Her countenance was dejected, which, on seeing Theodore, lighted up into a languid sprightliness. It was evident she had been weeping. Raymond retired, and Theodore and Alida seated themselves.

[_A&M_:

A mournfully murmuring rivulet purled at a little distance from the garden, on the borders of a small grove, from whence the American wild dove wafted her sympathetic moaning to the ear of Melissa. She sat leaning on a small table by the window, which was thrown up. Her attention was fixed. She did not perceive Vincent and Alonzo as they entered. They advanced towards her. She turned, started, and arose.

With a melancholy smile, and tremulous voice, "I supposed (she said) that it was Mrs. Vincent who was approaching, as she has just left the room." Her countenance appeared dejected, which on seeing Alonzo, lighted up into a languid sprightliness. It was evident she had been weeping.

Vincent retired and Alonzo and Melissa seated themselves by the window.]

"I have broken in upon your solitude, perhaps too unseasonably," said Theodore. It is however the fault of Raymond; he invited me to walk into the room, but did not inform me that you were alone.

"Your presence was sudden and unexpected, but not unseasonable," replied Alida. I hope that you did not consider any formality necessary in your visits, Theodore?

[_A&M_:

"I have broken in upon your solitude, perhaps, too unseasonably (said Alonzo); it is, however, the fault of Vincent, he invited me to walk into the room, but did not inform me that you were alone."-- "Your presence was sudden and unexpected, but not unseasonable, (replied Melissa.) I hope that you did not consider any formality necessary in your visits, Alonzo?"]

"I once did not think so," answered Theodore; now I know not what to think--I know not how to act. You have heard of the misfortunes of my father's family, Alida?

"Yes, I have heard the circ.u.mstances attending that event," said she; an event in which no one could be more deeply interested, except the immediate sufferers, than myself.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo. I once did not think so. Now I know not what to think--I know not how to act. You have heard of the misfortunes of my father's family, Melissa?

Melissa. Yes. I have heard the circ.u.mstances attending that event, an event in which no one could be more deeply interested, except the immediate sufferers, than myself.]

"Your father is also acquainted with my present situation," said Theodore; and how did he receive the intelligence?

"With deep regret," replied Alida.

Has he forbidden you to admit my addresses any longer? if even in an unqualified or indirect manner, it is proper I should know it.

[_A&M_:

Al. Your father is also acquainted with my present situation?

Mel. He is.