not enter the
breaksast
parlour Until Sir
George
?
George
?
Childrens - Tales of the Hermitage
8l
the door, with an intent of putting her
threats into execution.
Frantic -with terror, and agonised
with dread, the wretched suppliant
caught her by the gown, and in the most
moving accents besought her pity. It
was with the greatest difficulty that her
hands were separated from Mrs. Ro-
per's drapery, (w\\o, the moment she felt
herself at liberty, ran out of the room,
desiring the crier to remain there, and
watch the little wretch. . . . . . . .
Mrs. Cavendish was just informing
Mrs. Fowler of an amiable trait in her
god-daughter's conduct, when Mrs.
Roper entered, and in a tone of mani-
fest pleasure and exultation exclaimed--
" Well, Jifter! I believe you allow I
am a true prophetess! --A fine kettle of
fish this is! but, however, 'tis only what
I have long expected--long expected, J af~
4 (un
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? 8a INNOCENCE JUSTIFIED,
sure you, Mrs. fowler," said she, turn-
ing, and addressing herself to that lady :
and she then related the whole circum-
stance with such exaggerations as she
thought most calculated to call forth her
sister's indignation.
Mrs. Cavendish listened to the recital
with a mixture of pain, regret, and
astonishment, whilst poor Matilda burst
into an agony of tears, and besought her
mama not to condemn poor Pekin,
without allowing her an opportunity of
endeavouring to exculpate herself.
" That she can never do, my beloved
girl," replied Mrs. Cavendish ; " the
circumstances are too strong against her :
and I would really spare myself the
mortification of beholding her contri-
tion and remorse, because an action of
tins kind proves to me they would not
be permanent. Poor lost child! " she
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? AND ART DETECTED. 83
continued, " I declare I am more dis-
tressed at the idea of what a dreadful
end she must come to, than I am at my
own disappointment. What to do with
her I know not; and it will require
sometime for me to reflect upon the best
method to adopt. In my house she must
not Jlay, even until I have resolved upon
her future destination"
" Let her come tome" said Mrs. Ro-
per ; " for though the idea of opening
my doors to a confirmed thief, is not the
pleasantest thing in the world, yet to^
oblige you, my dearest sister, I would
submit to any inconvenience"
" You are very good" replied Mrs.
Cavendilh ; " but I know Charlotte's
aversion to the poor child too well to al-
low her an opportunity of insulting her;
for though she is fallen, (he must not be N
trampled upon. '"
" I will
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? 84 rNNOCENCE JUSTIFIES,
" I will take her," said Mrs. Fow-
ler ; " and Clark (hall go for her the
back way, and by that means, my dear
friend, you will avoid the interview you
seem to dread. "
When Clark arrived at Mrs. Caven-
dish's, she was astonished at the tale that
met her ear, yet soon began to think
with the rest of the servants, . that there
was some artifice at ' the bottom, and
that poor little Pekin would be proved
innocent at last; they therefore em-
braced the child with tenderness, and
. pretending that her godmama had sent
for her to Mrs. Fowler's, easily persuad-
ed her to accompany Clark. ; but had she
imagined she was to return no more, not
any thing but force would have made her
quit the house*. 1
When Mrs. Fowler informed her that
slie was to reside with her until her be-
' *. " nefactress
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? AND ART DETECTED. 85
nesactress could think of some plan for
her future support, her grief was so ex-
cessive, and her expressions of innocence
so strong, that Mrs. Fowler began to
doubt the truth of the circumstance that
had been alledged against her, and her
worthy husband'went to the jeweller, to
inquire particulars.
The man's account increased his sus-
picion, and at all events he was deter-
mined to fee the girl who had fold the
bracelet; with much difficulty he disco-
vered her abode, and by the united aid of
threats and promises, soon drew from
her the intelligence he wanted: then
sending his servant for a ppstcha. ise, he
insisted upon her accompanying him
back that evening to Kingston. He or-
dered the postilion to drive to Mrs. Ro-
per's lodgings ; but. not finding her at
home they followed her to Mrs. Caven-
1 * . ' dish's
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? 86 INNOCENCE JUSTIFIED,
dish's house. As soon as he alighted
from the carriage, he took his compa-.
nion by the arm, and without waiting
to have his name announced, walked
unexpectedly into the drawing-room.
" It is rather a late hour, Madam,"
said he, " to introduce a London visi-
tor; but when suspicion can be removed,
and guilt detested, I think we have no
right to attend to ceremony. " Then,
darting a fierce look at Mrs. Roper--
" As to you, Madam," said he, " in*
traduclion is itnnecejjary, as this young
woman is your old acquaintance"
. Unable to support the expected ex-
planation, she arose from her seat, and
catching Charlotte by the hand, said--
" Come, child, let us quit this hated
house, where we have all our'lives re- -
ceived insult and neglect*. " se saying,
(he
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? AND ART DETECTED. 87
she bounced out of the room, leaving
Mrs. Cavendish petrified with astonish-
ment.
Mr. Fowler then made a brief recital
of the circumstances that have been re-
lated, which were corroborated by the
girl's testimony; who declared, she
would not have taken the picture for
twenty half crowns, instead of one,
could shc have known the wickedness of
the plot.
Mr. Fowler. could hardly dissuade
Mrs. Cavendish from going that night to
the rectory, for the purpose of restoring
her beloved god-daughter to the place she
had formerly held in her affections; and
b. . fore eight o'clock the next morning
she pressed her to her bosom, and ex-
pressed her concern for the injustice she
had done her, and promised never again
I % to
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? 88 INNOCENCE JUSTIFIED, &C,
to be biassed by the insinuations of the
artful, or the invention of the interested.
Little Pekin's joy was as violent as her
grief, and the tears she shed at being re-
stored to her god-mamma's savour, were
nearly as abundant as those which accom-
panied her disgrace! Matilda's happiness
was equally sincere; and,. to complete
their felicity, a letter was delivered to
Mrs. Cavendilh, informing her that Mrs.
Roper had taken a final leave of King-
ston, and intended residing with her el-
der brother, where she expected to receive
the payment of her annuity.
FILIAL
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? ( <<9 )
FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
On a tempestuous night, in the dreary
riuinth of December, Sir George Cfif-
ford's attention was withdrawn from the
fictitious woes of the heroine of a savour-
ite romance, which he was then peru-
sing, by the real tones of supplication and
distress.
Sir George's heart was composed of
such susceptible materials, that it was
impressed with pity by the voice of sor-
row, and, ringing the bell with an effort
of violence, he desired the butler would
take a lantern and discover whence the
sounds proceeded.
The man obeyed, and returned jn a >
13 ' sew
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. '
few minutes, leading in a venerable
looking figure, whole whircned locks .
seemed to claim respect, and whose ex-
treme distress demanded sympathy : big
drops of sorrow rolled copiously down
his aged cheeks, and deep groans issued
from his labouring bosom !
" My venerable friend,". said the
amiable Sir George, takingthe old man's
withered hand, " your misfortunes, I
fear, have been of an afflictive kind i but
here, Be assured, you shall find a shelter
from them. Compose your sorrows,
restrain your griefs, and learn to bow
submissively to the will of Heaven ! "
" Generous stranger! " replied the
old man, endeavouring to check the ri-
sing sigh that burst involuntarily from
his tortured breast : " how much am I
indebted to your hospitality, and how
greatly am I comforted by your com-
. _ passion!
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. TJJ
^passion! my woes, indeed, are heavy
and oppressive ; because the hand that
wounds, ought to have shielded me from
them! but for your benevolence, the
lamp os life, which nature shortly must
extinguish, had been put out by accident ;
for having wandered out of my path,
and not being able to discern my way,
I had inevitably walked into the pond,
not sas distant from the house, had not
my dog's sagacity discovered the water,
and his fidelity induced him. to snatch
me from it by the flap of my coat. . Still
unable to perceive my danger, yet cunT
yinced I was surrounded by it, I thought
my only method of escaping was to ut-
ter those complaints which called forth
your compassion, and have been the
means of proving that Virtue and Hu*
manity. are still residents upon earth ! "
At the close of this speech the poor
crea-.
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
creature's strength siemed quite exhaust-
ed, and, leaning his head upon his hand,
he for some moments appeared absorbed
in thought. The butler in that time re-
entered with refreshments, which Sir
George pressed his guest to partake of,
with an urgency of manner th;it would
not suffer a refusal; and whilst the venera-
ble old man satisfied the wants of nature,
he expressed his gratitude to his amiable
host in terms that proved him of no
common race.
A bed was ordered to be immediately
prepared ; and upon the stranger's ex-
prefling a wish to begin the relation of
his story, Sir George besought him to
endeavour to compose his spirits, and
leave the painful task to a future period.
<<< You are old, my good Sir," said that
estimable man, " and I perceive you
are unfortunate j you need not, there-
fore,
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
fore, wish for stronger claims upon my
compassion, and I have only to assure you
that you may rely upon my friendship. "
The old man's tears flowed afresh,
though the channel which supplied them
had taken a different course ; and, after
repeating his acknowledgments, andex-
patiating upon the goodness of Heaven
in directing his footsteps to the abode of
benevolence, he requested permission to
retire to his own apartment, promising
to impart his history on the following
morning.
As it was Sir George's orders that . the
stranger should not be awakened by any
obtrusive civility. in the servants, and as
nature was perfectly exhausted both by
bodily and mental exertions, he flept.
soundly until past nine o'clock, and did.
not enter the breaksast parlour Until Sir
George
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? FILIAL IKGRATITUDE.
George and his son Edward had just
finished their morning's repast.
After the usual salutations of the day
were over, and Sir George had made
some fresh tea for his venerable guest, he
defired his son to quit the room, imagin-
ing the old man would rot choose to
enter upon his story in the presence of a
boy.
But Mr. Middleton (which was the
stranger's name) turning to Sir George,
said, " If I may presume to make a
request, it is that your son, Sir George,
may hear the story of my misfortunes ;
and may he," continued he, clasping his
hands, and lifting up his eyes to Heaven,
" be impressed with an abhorrence of
those vices which have brought me to
my present misery ! and, whilst he pities
my misfortunes, may his breast glow with
filial tenderness, veneratiath and esteem /"
. Edward,
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? FIIIAL INGRATITUDE. ?
Edward, who loved a story with a
greater degree of fondness than most
boys, heard the stranger's request with
evident marks of satissaction, and ad-
dressing his sather in a tone of persua-
sion, said, " Do, I entreat you, papa,
susfer me to stay; I assure you I'll sit
quite still, and not interrupt the gentle-
man. "
"'If I can give you pleasure, or afford
you infiruHion, my dear boy," replied
Sir George Clifford, " I always expe-
rience sincere gratification in so doing,
and I hope you will attend to what you
hear with a resolution of endeavouring
to benefit by the relation. "--Edward
promised to fulfil his father's wishes,
and as soon as the servant had taken away
the breakfast apparatus, Mr. Middleton
began his history in the following words :
THE
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? " . THE
i HISTORY . ;:
Mr. MID V LE TON i
OR,
;-. . . . \. . , . : : . .
FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
X AM the younger 'son of an ancient
and respectable samily in the north of'
England ; and, as my sather wished my
elder brother to support the name with -
that degree of consequence which had
ever been attached to it, I was sent at'
an early age to try my fortune in" tho-
East Indies. My mother died at giving
me
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE* Cj?
me birth, and my sather had three
daughters by a second wife, who long
before my departure from England . had'
so sar attracted his asfection from the
children of the farmer marriage, that"
except for Frank, which was his eldest
son's name, he seemed to feel neither
tenderness nor anxiety.
Upon my first arrival in the East In-
dies, I generally received a few lines by
every packet; but instead of breathing
the asfection of a parent, or the solici-
tude of a friend, they merely contained
a flight account of his health, &c. and a
caution to be prudent in the management
of my salary; and in less than two years
all intercourse between us was suspend-
ed ; for though I wrote by every packet,
I never received a line in the course of
five-and-twenty years.
In that period I had not. only amassed
k a com-
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? $S FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
a comfortable, but a splendid fortune ;
and resolved to return to England for
the purpose of enjoying it. I had, un-
fortunately, remitted vast sums to an
eminent banker, and when I arrived in
town, I had the mortification of hearing
tha< he had become a bankrupt about six
. weeks before that period, and that hun-
dreds were involved in the dreadful ruin.
Happily I had still property enough re-
maining in my own hands to enable me
to enjoy the comforts, though not the
luxuries of life; but I resolved, before I
fixed upon my future resting-place, to
trace out my samily without disclosing
my real situation. I therefore threw
myself into the York post-coach, left
my servant at the inn, and in a short
time reached the place of my nativity.
My sather, I heard, had been dead some
ytars, and my brother Frank was in
. i -. posses-
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. 99
possession of the estate; my other bro-
ther was also dead, and my mother-in-
law and her three daughters were all
married and settled in London.
Middleton-hall is a large Gothic
building, situated in one of the most
beautisul, though remote parts of York-
shire, and about two miles distant from
a neighbouring town. As I was anxi-
ous to make trial of a relation's disposi-
tion whom I had not seen for many years,
I dressed myself particularly plain, hired
a boy to carry a small leather trunk which
contained my wardrobe, and walked
anxiously towards the hall. I was re-
ceived at the well-known gate by an im-
perious puppy, who, imagining by my
appearance that I was some needy depen-
dant, would scarcely inform me whether
his master was at home : at length, with
some difficulty, I obtained the wistied-
K z for
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? ? IOO FIXIAL INGRATITUDE.
for intelligence, and by begging and
intreaty got myself announced as a per-
son from India, who brought news of
consequence respecting his brother. My
reception from the master was such as
I might have expected from* the ap-
pearance of the servants--haughty, in-
solent, and presumptuous. -- Our persons
were totally forgotten by each other,
and therefore I gave a circumstantial de*
tail of the banker's sailure, and my own
misfortunes, without giving him a sus- <<
picion of my own identity, and con. ,
eluded by saying his brother was in Lon-
don, anxious to fold him to his fraternal
bosom, and convinced that he would riot
only "commiserate his misfortunes, but
endeavour to prevent him from suffering
by their weight.
I will not, my dear Sir, trespass
upon your time, or wound your feelings,
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. 101
by relating my cruel brother's reply ;
suffice it to say, it was inhuman as a re-
lation, and disgraceful as a man-and
induced me to quit his abode, resolving
never more to have any intercourse with
so bad a character, though not before I
had disclosed my name, and the real
situation of my affairs.
On my return to London, I saw a
villa in Devonshire advertised to be sold,
and pleased with the plan I became its
purchaser. Soon after my establish-
ment in my new abode, I became ac-
quainted with a neighbouring gentleman
whose samily consisted of three daugh-
ters and four sons; the eldest of the
former was at once attractive, amiable,
and engaging ; and though there was so
great a disparity in our years, I soon dis-
covered that I had made an impression
on her heart: in short, Sir, we were
x 3 very
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? 101 FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
very soon married ; and if perfect hap.
piness is to be met with on earth, I am
*he man who once enjoyed it! --Cruel
reverse ! Dreadful vicissitude ! --But I
will proceed with my narration without
digression, or taking a retrospect of my
ewn misfortunes. "
In less than a twelvemonth after my
marriage, my lovely Emily blest me
with a pledge of her asfection, and my
felicity was unbounded : but, alas! our
joys are of short duration, though our
miseries are permanent! My loved Emily
was snatched from me in the prime of
life, at the time our little darling mpst
wanted her maternal tenderness. Mr.
Cleverly, Which was heV sather's name,
soon followed the object of my affection,
and the rest of the samily removed to
London. The socrety of-my little Wil-
liam was at jonce a solace for my grief,
and
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. 103
and an amusement for my mind; and
my fondness increased beyond the bounds
of prudence. Naturally high-spirited,
he required restraint ; but my tenderness
was so violent, 1 could not bear to fee
him unhappy; his resemblance to his
beloved mother increased with his years;
but, alas f how disferent were they both.
in nature and disposition ! To send him
to school was impossible ; I, therefore,
engaged a gentleman as his tutor and in-
structor. The total unrestraint which
had. hitherto been put upon his inclina,
tions made him both daring and untract-
able/'ahd in less' than six. months the
wosthy man requested to decline the of-
fice he had engaged ist'. At length by
promises on my part not to interfere be-
tween him and his pupil, and the attract-
ing charm of an increased salary, Mr.
Pembsrton consented to remain ah inmate
ift
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? 104 FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
in a samily, the head of which he must
both pity and despise. His friendship
for me, however, induced him to stay *
until my son had reached his fourteenth
year, when the arrogance of his beha-
viour, and the insolence of his conduct,
absolutely compelled him to resign the
post, and leave his unthinking charge
to tbe practice of his own devices,
though not without repeatedly conjuring
me to conquer my weakness, and fend
my son to school; prophetically point-
ing out the dreadful consequence of my
not doing it.
Upon the departure of his preceptor,
William's temper submitted to no con-
trol, and too late I felt my error. His
person, I before observed, was like his
mother's; but to all the sensibility of
female softness was united a manly grace
that at once attracted and delighted the
beholder.
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. IO5
beholder. Oh ! how often have I gazed
with parental fondness on the beauteous
salse deception, until 1 Imagined a form
so striking, and a sace so manly, could
never be capable of an act of baseness I
Amidst the various amusements which
my son was fond of as he grew tig,
dancing bore the greatest pre-eminence ;
and there was not an assembly within
twenty miles round that he did not make
a point of constantly frequenting. The
graces of his person, and the excellence
he had attained in that accomplishment,
rendered him an universal savourite with
the ladies; and, in addition tb his other
follies, was the means of inspiring him
with vanity and conceit.
Within a few miles of our residence
lived a Scotch earl, whose pride and
poverty were equally conspicuous ; and
the eldest daughter of this great person-
age,
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? 106 FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
age, forgetful of her noble blood, deaf
to her sather's strong remonstrances, and
lost to a sense of female delicacy, pro-
posed to my son (whom she had fre-
quently danced with at different balls)
an elopement to Scotland.
Elated at the spirited proposal, and
delighted at the prospect of marrying a
title, my headstrong, unthinking boy,
eagerly grasped the splendid phantom,
and making a variety of excuses for re-
quiring a large supply of money, set off
in a chaise and four the following morn-
ing, without giving me the slightest idea
of the destructive scheme he was going
to adopt. The young lady had been
more explicit; for a letter left upon
her dressing table informed her sather,
that unable to conquer the strength of
her attachment, and convinced that she
should never obtain his concurrence, fhq
had
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. 107
had resolved to please her eye, though
lhe might lower her consequence.
The old earl, imagining I had been
privy to this transaction, sent me a let-
ter full of invectives ; upon the receipt
of which, I not only explained my to-
tal ignorance of the affair, but pro-
mised to make such an establishment for
my son, as mould enable him to support
his wife in perfect gentility. Softened
by my conciliating letter, and convinced
he was unable to give his daughter any
fortune, his Lordship called to apologize
for his petulance.
the door, with an intent of putting her
threats into execution.
Frantic -with terror, and agonised
with dread, the wretched suppliant
caught her by the gown, and in the most
moving accents besought her pity. It
was with the greatest difficulty that her
hands were separated from Mrs. Ro-
per's drapery, (w\\o, the moment she felt
herself at liberty, ran out of the room,
desiring the crier to remain there, and
watch the little wretch. . . . . . . .
Mrs. Cavendish was just informing
Mrs. Fowler of an amiable trait in her
god-daughter's conduct, when Mrs.
Roper entered, and in a tone of mani-
fest pleasure and exultation exclaimed--
" Well, Jifter! I believe you allow I
am a true prophetess! --A fine kettle of
fish this is! but, however, 'tis only what
I have long expected--long expected, J af~
4 (un
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? 8a INNOCENCE JUSTIFIED,
sure you, Mrs. fowler," said she, turn-
ing, and addressing herself to that lady :
and she then related the whole circum-
stance with such exaggerations as she
thought most calculated to call forth her
sister's indignation.
Mrs. Cavendish listened to the recital
with a mixture of pain, regret, and
astonishment, whilst poor Matilda burst
into an agony of tears, and besought her
mama not to condemn poor Pekin,
without allowing her an opportunity of
endeavouring to exculpate herself.
" That she can never do, my beloved
girl," replied Mrs. Cavendish ; " the
circumstances are too strong against her :
and I would really spare myself the
mortification of beholding her contri-
tion and remorse, because an action of
tins kind proves to me they would not
be permanent. Poor lost child! " she
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? AND ART DETECTED. 83
continued, " I declare I am more dis-
tressed at the idea of what a dreadful
end she must come to, than I am at my
own disappointment. What to do with
her I know not; and it will require
sometime for me to reflect upon the best
method to adopt. In my house she must
not Jlay, even until I have resolved upon
her future destination"
" Let her come tome" said Mrs. Ro-
per ; " for though the idea of opening
my doors to a confirmed thief, is not the
pleasantest thing in the world, yet to^
oblige you, my dearest sister, I would
submit to any inconvenience"
" You are very good" replied Mrs.
Cavendilh ; " but I know Charlotte's
aversion to the poor child too well to al-
low her an opportunity of insulting her;
for though she is fallen, (he must not be N
trampled upon. '"
" I will
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? 84 rNNOCENCE JUSTIFIES,
" I will take her," said Mrs. Fow-
ler ; " and Clark (hall go for her the
back way, and by that means, my dear
friend, you will avoid the interview you
seem to dread. "
When Clark arrived at Mrs. Caven-
dish's, she was astonished at the tale that
met her ear, yet soon began to think
with the rest of the servants, . that there
was some artifice at ' the bottom, and
that poor little Pekin would be proved
innocent at last; they therefore em-
braced the child with tenderness, and
. pretending that her godmama had sent
for her to Mrs. Fowler's, easily persuad-
ed her to accompany Clark. ; but had she
imagined she was to return no more, not
any thing but force would have made her
quit the house*. 1
When Mrs. Fowler informed her that
slie was to reside with her until her be-
' *. " nefactress
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? AND ART DETECTED. 85
nesactress could think of some plan for
her future support, her grief was so ex-
cessive, and her expressions of innocence
so strong, that Mrs. Fowler began to
doubt the truth of the circumstance that
had been alledged against her, and her
worthy husband'went to the jeweller, to
inquire particulars.
The man's account increased his sus-
picion, and at all events he was deter-
mined to fee the girl who had fold the
bracelet; with much difficulty he disco-
vered her abode, and by the united aid of
threats and promises, soon drew from
her the intelligence he wanted: then
sending his servant for a ppstcha. ise, he
insisted upon her accompanying him
back that evening to Kingston. He or-
dered the postilion to drive to Mrs. Ro-
per's lodgings ; but. not finding her at
home they followed her to Mrs. Caven-
1 * . ' dish's
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? 86 INNOCENCE JUSTIFIED,
dish's house. As soon as he alighted
from the carriage, he took his compa-.
nion by the arm, and without waiting
to have his name announced, walked
unexpectedly into the drawing-room.
" It is rather a late hour, Madam,"
said he, " to introduce a London visi-
tor; but when suspicion can be removed,
and guilt detested, I think we have no
right to attend to ceremony. " Then,
darting a fierce look at Mrs. Roper--
" As to you, Madam," said he, " in*
traduclion is itnnecejjary, as this young
woman is your old acquaintance"
. Unable to support the expected ex-
planation, she arose from her seat, and
catching Charlotte by the hand, said--
" Come, child, let us quit this hated
house, where we have all our'lives re- -
ceived insult and neglect*. " se saying,
(he
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? AND ART DETECTED. 87
she bounced out of the room, leaving
Mrs. Cavendish petrified with astonish-
ment.
Mr. Fowler then made a brief recital
of the circumstances that have been re-
lated, which were corroborated by the
girl's testimony; who declared, she
would not have taken the picture for
twenty half crowns, instead of one,
could shc have known the wickedness of
the plot.
Mr. Fowler. could hardly dissuade
Mrs. Cavendish from going that night to
the rectory, for the purpose of restoring
her beloved god-daughter to the place she
had formerly held in her affections; and
b. . fore eight o'clock the next morning
she pressed her to her bosom, and ex-
pressed her concern for the injustice she
had done her, and promised never again
I % to
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? 88 INNOCENCE JUSTIFIED, &C,
to be biassed by the insinuations of the
artful, or the invention of the interested.
Little Pekin's joy was as violent as her
grief, and the tears she shed at being re-
stored to her god-mamma's savour, were
nearly as abundant as those which accom-
panied her disgrace! Matilda's happiness
was equally sincere; and,. to complete
their felicity, a letter was delivered to
Mrs. Cavendilh, informing her that Mrs.
Roper had taken a final leave of King-
ston, and intended residing with her el-
der brother, where she expected to receive
the payment of her annuity.
FILIAL
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? ( <<9 )
FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
On a tempestuous night, in the dreary
riuinth of December, Sir George Cfif-
ford's attention was withdrawn from the
fictitious woes of the heroine of a savour-
ite romance, which he was then peru-
sing, by the real tones of supplication and
distress.
Sir George's heart was composed of
such susceptible materials, that it was
impressed with pity by the voice of sor-
row, and, ringing the bell with an effort
of violence, he desired the butler would
take a lantern and discover whence the
sounds proceeded.
The man obeyed, and returned jn a >
13 ' sew
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. '
few minutes, leading in a venerable
looking figure, whole whircned locks .
seemed to claim respect, and whose ex-
treme distress demanded sympathy : big
drops of sorrow rolled copiously down
his aged cheeks, and deep groans issued
from his labouring bosom !
" My venerable friend,". said the
amiable Sir George, takingthe old man's
withered hand, " your misfortunes, I
fear, have been of an afflictive kind i but
here, Be assured, you shall find a shelter
from them. Compose your sorrows,
restrain your griefs, and learn to bow
submissively to the will of Heaven ! "
" Generous stranger! " replied the
old man, endeavouring to check the ri-
sing sigh that burst involuntarily from
his tortured breast : " how much am I
indebted to your hospitality, and how
greatly am I comforted by your com-
. _ passion!
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. TJJ
^passion! my woes, indeed, are heavy
and oppressive ; because the hand that
wounds, ought to have shielded me from
them! but for your benevolence, the
lamp os life, which nature shortly must
extinguish, had been put out by accident ;
for having wandered out of my path,
and not being able to discern my way,
I had inevitably walked into the pond,
not sas distant from the house, had not
my dog's sagacity discovered the water,
and his fidelity induced him. to snatch
me from it by the flap of my coat. . Still
unable to perceive my danger, yet cunT
yinced I was surrounded by it, I thought
my only method of escaping was to ut-
ter those complaints which called forth
your compassion, and have been the
means of proving that Virtue and Hu*
manity. are still residents upon earth ! "
At the close of this speech the poor
crea-.
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
creature's strength siemed quite exhaust-
ed, and, leaning his head upon his hand,
he for some moments appeared absorbed
in thought. The butler in that time re-
entered with refreshments, which Sir
George pressed his guest to partake of,
with an urgency of manner th;it would
not suffer a refusal; and whilst the venera-
ble old man satisfied the wants of nature,
he expressed his gratitude to his amiable
host in terms that proved him of no
common race.
A bed was ordered to be immediately
prepared ; and upon the stranger's ex-
prefling a wish to begin the relation of
his story, Sir George besought him to
endeavour to compose his spirits, and
leave the painful task to a future period.
<<< You are old, my good Sir," said that
estimable man, " and I perceive you
are unfortunate j you need not, there-
fore,
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
fore, wish for stronger claims upon my
compassion, and I have only to assure you
that you may rely upon my friendship. "
The old man's tears flowed afresh,
though the channel which supplied them
had taken a different course ; and, after
repeating his acknowledgments, andex-
patiating upon the goodness of Heaven
in directing his footsteps to the abode of
benevolence, he requested permission to
retire to his own apartment, promising
to impart his history on the following
morning.
As it was Sir George's orders that . the
stranger should not be awakened by any
obtrusive civility. in the servants, and as
nature was perfectly exhausted both by
bodily and mental exertions, he flept.
soundly until past nine o'clock, and did.
not enter the breaksast parlour Until Sir
George
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? FILIAL IKGRATITUDE.
George and his son Edward had just
finished their morning's repast.
After the usual salutations of the day
were over, and Sir George had made
some fresh tea for his venerable guest, he
defired his son to quit the room, imagin-
ing the old man would rot choose to
enter upon his story in the presence of a
boy.
But Mr. Middleton (which was the
stranger's name) turning to Sir George,
said, " If I may presume to make a
request, it is that your son, Sir George,
may hear the story of my misfortunes ;
and may he," continued he, clasping his
hands, and lifting up his eyes to Heaven,
" be impressed with an abhorrence of
those vices which have brought me to
my present misery ! and, whilst he pities
my misfortunes, may his breast glow with
filial tenderness, veneratiath and esteem /"
. Edward,
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? FIIIAL INGRATITUDE. ?
Edward, who loved a story with a
greater degree of fondness than most
boys, heard the stranger's request with
evident marks of satissaction, and ad-
dressing his sather in a tone of persua-
sion, said, " Do, I entreat you, papa,
susfer me to stay; I assure you I'll sit
quite still, and not interrupt the gentle-
man. "
"'If I can give you pleasure, or afford
you infiruHion, my dear boy," replied
Sir George Clifford, " I always expe-
rience sincere gratification in so doing,
and I hope you will attend to what you
hear with a resolution of endeavouring
to benefit by the relation. "--Edward
promised to fulfil his father's wishes,
and as soon as the servant had taken away
the breakfast apparatus, Mr. Middleton
began his history in the following words :
THE
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? " . THE
i HISTORY . ;:
Mr. MID V LE TON i
OR,
;-. . . . \. . , . : : . .
FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
X AM the younger 'son of an ancient
and respectable samily in the north of'
England ; and, as my sather wished my
elder brother to support the name with -
that degree of consequence which had
ever been attached to it, I was sent at'
an early age to try my fortune in" tho-
East Indies. My mother died at giving
me
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE* Cj?
me birth, and my sather had three
daughters by a second wife, who long
before my departure from England . had'
so sar attracted his asfection from the
children of the farmer marriage, that"
except for Frank, which was his eldest
son's name, he seemed to feel neither
tenderness nor anxiety.
Upon my first arrival in the East In-
dies, I generally received a few lines by
every packet; but instead of breathing
the asfection of a parent, or the solici-
tude of a friend, they merely contained
a flight account of his health, &c. and a
caution to be prudent in the management
of my salary; and in less than two years
all intercourse between us was suspend-
ed ; for though I wrote by every packet,
I never received a line in the course of
five-and-twenty years.
In that period I had not. only amassed
k a com-
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? $S FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
a comfortable, but a splendid fortune ;
and resolved to return to England for
the purpose of enjoying it. I had, un-
fortunately, remitted vast sums to an
eminent banker, and when I arrived in
town, I had the mortification of hearing
tha< he had become a bankrupt about six
. weeks before that period, and that hun-
dreds were involved in the dreadful ruin.
Happily I had still property enough re-
maining in my own hands to enable me
to enjoy the comforts, though not the
luxuries of life; but I resolved, before I
fixed upon my future resting-place, to
trace out my samily without disclosing
my real situation. I therefore threw
myself into the York post-coach, left
my servant at the inn, and in a short
time reached the place of my nativity.
My sather, I heard, had been dead some
ytars, and my brother Frank was in
. i -. posses-
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. 99
possession of the estate; my other bro-
ther was also dead, and my mother-in-
law and her three daughters were all
married and settled in London.
Middleton-hall is a large Gothic
building, situated in one of the most
beautisul, though remote parts of York-
shire, and about two miles distant from
a neighbouring town. As I was anxi-
ous to make trial of a relation's disposi-
tion whom I had not seen for many years,
I dressed myself particularly plain, hired
a boy to carry a small leather trunk which
contained my wardrobe, and walked
anxiously towards the hall. I was re-
ceived at the well-known gate by an im-
perious puppy, who, imagining by my
appearance that I was some needy depen-
dant, would scarcely inform me whether
his master was at home : at length, with
some difficulty, I obtained the wistied-
K z for
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? ? IOO FIXIAL INGRATITUDE.
for intelligence, and by begging and
intreaty got myself announced as a per-
son from India, who brought news of
consequence respecting his brother. My
reception from the master was such as
I might have expected from* the ap-
pearance of the servants--haughty, in-
solent, and presumptuous. -- Our persons
were totally forgotten by each other,
and therefore I gave a circumstantial de*
tail of the banker's sailure, and my own
misfortunes, without giving him a sus- <<
picion of my own identity, and con. ,
eluded by saying his brother was in Lon-
don, anxious to fold him to his fraternal
bosom, and convinced that he would riot
only "commiserate his misfortunes, but
endeavour to prevent him from suffering
by their weight.
I will not, my dear Sir, trespass
upon your time, or wound your feelings,
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. 101
by relating my cruel brother's reply ;
suffice it to say, it was inhuman as a re-
lation, and disgraceful as a man-and
induced me to quit his abode, resolving
never more to have any intercourse with
so bad a character, though not before I
had disclosed my name, and the real
situation of my affairs.
On my return to London, I saw a
villa in Devonshire advertised to be sold,
and pleased with the plan I became its
purchaser. Soon after my establish-
ment in my new abode, I became ac-
quainted with a neighbouring gentleman
whose samily consisted of three daugh-
ters and four sons; the eldest of the
former was at once attractive, amiable,
and engaging ; and though there was so
great a disparity in our years, I soon dis-
covered that I had made an impression
on her heart: in short, Sir, we were
x 3 very
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? 101 FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
very soon married ; and if perfect hap.
piness is to be met with on earth, I am
*he man who once enjoyed it! --Cruel
reverse ! Dreadful vicissitude ! --But I
will proceed with my narration without
digression, or taking a retrospect of my
ewn misfortunes. "
In less than a twelvemonth after my
marriage, my lovely Emily blest me
with a pledge of her asfection, and my
felicity was unbounded : but, alas! our
joys are of short duration, though our
miseries are permanent! My loved Emily
was snatched from me in the prime of
life, at the time our little darling mpst
wanted her maternal tenderness. Mr.
Cleverly, Which was heV sather's name,
soon followed the object of my affection,
and the rest of the samily removed to
London. The socrety of-my little Wil-
liam was at jonce a solace for my grief,
and
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. 103
and an amusement for my mind; and
my fondness increased beyond the bounds
of prudence. Naturally high-spirited,
he required restraint ; but my tenderness
was so violent, 1 could not bear to fee
him unhappy; his resemblance to his
beloved mother increased with his years;
but, alas f how disferent were they both.
in nature and disposition ! To send him
to school was impossible ; I, therefore,
engaged a gentleman as his tutor and in-
structor. The total unrestraint which
had. hitherto been put upon his inclina,
tions made him both daring and untract-
able/'ahd in less' than six. months the
wosthy man requested to decline the of-
fice he had engaged ist'. At length by
promises on my part not to interfere be-
tween him and his pupil, and the attract-
ing charm of an increased salary, Mr.
Pembsrton consented to remain ah inmate
ift
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? 104 FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
in a samily, the head of which he must
both pity and despise. His friendship
for me, however, induced him to stay *
until my son had reached his fourteenth
year, when the arrogance of his beha-
viour, and the insolence of his conduct,
absolutely compelled him to resign the
post, and leave his unthinking charge
to tbe practice of his own devices,
though not without repeatedly conjuring
me to conquer my weakness, and fend
my son to school; prophetically point-
ing out the dreadful consequence of my
not doing it.
Upon the departure of his preceptor,
William's temper submitted to no con-
trol, and too late I felt my error. His
person, I before observed, was like his
mother's; but to all the sensibility of
female softness was united a manly grace
that at once attracted and delighted the
beholder.
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. IO5
beholder. Oh ! how often have I gazed
with parental fondness on the beauteous
salse deception, until 1 Imagined a form
so striking, and a sace so manly, could
never be capable of an act of baseness I
Amidst the various amusements which
my son was fond of as he grew tig,
dancing bore the greatest pre-eminence ;
and there was not an assembly within
twenty miles round that he did not make
a point of constantly frequenting. The
graces of his person, and the excellence
he had attained in that accomplishment,
rendered him an universal savourite with
the ladies; and, in addition tb his other
follies, was the means of inspiring him
with vanity and conceit.
Within a few miles of our residence
lived a Scotch earl, whose pride and
poverty were equally conspicuous ; and
the eldest daughter of this great person-
age,
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? 106 FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
age, forgetful of her noble blood, deaf
to her sather's strong remonstrances, and
lost to a sense of female delicacy, pro-
posed to my son (whom she had fre-
quently danced with at different balls)
an elopement to Scotland.
Elated at the spirited proposal, and
delighted at the prospect of marrying a
title, my headstrong, unthinking boy,
eagerly grasped the splendid phantom,
and making a variety of excuses for re-
quiring a large supply of money, set off
in a chaise and four the following morn-
ing, without giving me the slightest idea
of the destructive scheme he was going
to adopt. The young lady had been
more explicit; for a letter left upon
her dressing table informed her sather,
that unable to conquer the strength of
her attachment, and convinced that she
should never obtain his concurrence, fhq
had
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. 107
had resolved to please her eye, though
lhe might lower her consequence.
The old earl, imagining I had been
privy to this transaction, sent me a let-
ter full of invectives ; upon the receipt
of which, I not only explained my to-
tal ignorance of the affair, but pro-
mised to make such an establishment for
my son, as mould enable him to support
his wife in perfect gentility. Softened
by my conciliating letter, and convinced
he was unable to give his daughter any
fortune, his Lordship called to apologize
for his petulance.
