duct herself in future as to merit his forgiveness. But, my dear," continued hè, "I shall find it a more difficult task to pardon your husband; there is something in the manner in which he has obtained your hand so mean and so odious that I cannot suppress an expression of contempt which his ungentlemanly conduct has excited." Mr. Howard was about to proceed, but, finding Amelia much affected at his strictures, dropped the subject; and, after making several inquiries respecting her place of residence, and her mode of life, gave her his arm, and accompanied her to her home.

The interview between the gentlemen, as might have been expected, was formal. Mr. Saunderson, in a confused manner, attempted to justify himself; but was interrupted by Mr. Howard, who coldly replied, that justification at that juncture was of no avail: the offence was past, and so long as he comported himself with propriety as the husband of his daughter, and as a gentleman, he might depend upon his countenance and respect, but no longer.

Mrs. Saunderson, at the expiration of twelve months, became the parent of a lovely daughter. Young women, when they marry, anxiously, and joyfully look forward to the period when the duties of a mother will devolve upon them; and, with throbbing hearts, hail the appearance of their first-born, as a dignified personage commissioned to give importance and stability to the empire of love.

But other thoughts now possessed the mind of Amelia. For some time previously to the birth of her child, she had noticed with concern the careless behaviour of her husband. He would frequently absent himself from home, until late at night; and, to her tender inquiries respecting the cause, she had received cold and unsatisfactory answers. His business likewise was neglected; and often, when he came to his meals, she could observe the traits of dissatisfaction, which all his art could not conceal. One day she begged him to inform her whether he had discovered any thing in her conduct which caused him uneasiness; adding, "you know, my dear, I was never obstinate, and have always done my utmost to contribute to your happiness. If I have erred, deign to admonish your wife, and she will endeavour to

profit by your admonition." To this winning language, capable of melting into tenderness the heart of any one possessed of the smallest share of feeling, Saunderson replied "O the devil! don't bother me! I am not in a humour to be cajoled with the sentimental cant of happiness. Go and whisper such fine stuff into the ear of your niggardly old father, and try if it will have any effect in charming his money into my pocket. How the devil does he think I am to support the character and appearance of a gentleman without a dollar in my purse!" This was the first intimation that was given to Amelia of the state of her husband's affairs. Every word was as a dagger to her heart. She knew not what to say in reply, And Saunderson, after muttering something, which the agitated state of her mind did not permit her to comprehend, left the house.

Mr. Howard had not been as ignorant as his daughter on the subject of her husband's affairs, and had observed with grief that he did not use much exertion to retrieve them. However, one day he called upon Mr. Saunderson, and spoke to him to this effect, "I find, sir, that you do not prosper in the world, and I have reason to believe that that is one cause, and I hope the principal one, of your seemingly indifference to business. That you may have no ground to reproach me with a want of affection for my daughter, and a want of respect for you, I will set you up in business, and employ my influence on your behalf: provided you will pledge your word of honour, that you will be diligent in the prosecution of it, and attentive to the care and prosperity of your family." Saunderson, who did not expect such a reverse in his favour, cheerfully complied with the terms enjoined, and immediately went home to communicate the glad tidings to his wife.

Thus as a tempest was gathering over the heads of our little family, which threatened to involve them in impenetrable gloom, the wind suddenly shifted to the point of prosperity, dispelled the dark clouds of adversity, and the sun of happiness "looked out and smiled."

After a lapse of two years, from the birth of her first child, Mrs. Saunderson was charged with the care of a son. Her hus

band had again fallen into negligence with respect to her; though, in consequence of the obligations he was under to his father-in-law, he had conducted himself with more circumspection and cunning in business: well knowing that a vigilant eye marked his conduct with penetrating scrutiny. But one day, in an authoritative manner, he ordered his wife to prepare to remove from her friends, for he had determined to reside in Philadelphia. Thunderstruck with the unexpected intelligence, she requested to know what had induced him so precipitately to form such a plan of conduct. "Amelia!" replied he, sternly, "no objections! the next week is fixed upon for our departure, and nothing but heaven shall prevent us."

In a few days they safely arrived in Philadelphia. Amelia in that beautiful and flourishing metropolis was an entire stranger, and had not one acquaintance whose presence and friendship might sooth and console her amidst her afflictions. But she soon found that her husband was well known by a certain class of people, who immediately surrounded him in an obsequious manner, congratulated him upon his arrival, and cordially invited him to an entertainment which they had ordered in honour of him.

Here it was that he found himself at home. So long as he remained in Boston the presence of his wife's relations served as a bar to his inclinations, and a passion for gaming, which he had long secretly fostered, could not be indulged to the extent he wished. But now nothing conspired to oppose his fatal career. He was unknown, except to his old associates in vice, and his desires increasing in proportion to the facility of their gratification, he finally threw off all restraint, and appeared in the eyes of the wretched Amelia a consummate villain.

His house was often the place of resort of his diabolical accomplices, whose conversation and behaviour were so different from what Amelia had ever been accustomed to, that, alarmed at the thought of her deplorable situation, she resolved to write immediately to her father, to disclose to him the whole extent of her sufferings, and, at the same time, to beg him to come and save herself and her infants from impending ruin.

The letter was despatched by the next post, and in due time arrived in Boston. Mr. Howard prepared with all expedition for his departure. Meanwhile an event occurred, compared with which all the former distress of the amiable and heart-broken Amelia was of small account.

It was now the middle of December, and the season was unusually inclement. Saunderson had been for two days attentively engaged at home, in a private room, settling, as he made his wife believe, some important business. The night of the second day was, as usual, passed amongst his companions at their general rendezvous; and at three o'clock the next morning he returned home: but appeared much disturbed, insomuch he refused to go to bed, preferring to slumber in a chair near the fire. Shortly after sun-rise he ordered his servant to prepare breakfast as soon as possible, intimating he was going to the country. But scarcely was the order given when a confused noise in the street aroused him from his chair: snatching his hat and coat he fled through a back door and instantly disappeared.

The front door was silently opened by two constables, accompanied with a gentleman, who entered and locked it. At this moment Amelia was sitting in her kitchen, and was not apprised of the flight of her husband, nor of the admission of his unwelcome visitors. Her babe, who was six months old, was at her breast; whilst at her feet sat her beautiful little daughter, engaged in folding up her night clothes. She was so perfectly abstracted from the world, and her sorrows, by the smiles, and amusing actions of her infant son, that she indulged herself in those expressions of happiness, which so freely emanated from her heart in the days of her prosperity: she was laughing aloud when the strangers approached the kitchen. Her back being opposite the door, at which they entered, prevented her from seeing them: but the precipitate flight of a cat, which was lying near the fire, caused her to turn around, and she started on beholding them. Pray, madam, said one, be not alarmed at our intrusion at this unseasonable hour; we merely want Mr. Saunderson. Bless me, Jenny! exclaimed Amelia to her servant, what can they mean? We mean nothing more than to inform you, madam, replied

another, that your husband has committed forgery; and we must have him this instant, for he is in the house. Enough was said for the unhappy Amelia. No sooner had the word forgery escaped the officer's lips than she fell from her chair in a state of insensibility. Jenny caught the infant as the mother was falling; and the gentleman, raising her up, supported her in a chair, whilst the constables searched for Saunderson. Not finding him, as they had expected, they left the house; and the gentleman remained to condole with Amelia, who, by his exertions, was recovered from her swoon. He informed her that a bank-check had been forged, to pay a gaming debt: that his name was employed, and that the sum was considerable. In a short time he left her in a state of mind much better conceived than described. Her husband had committed a heinous crime, and fled she knew not whither. She was far from her family and friends, and did not know where to flee for advice and succour. In short, she was destitute of the means of support; and some days must elapse before her father could possibly reach her. To put the finishing stroke to her misfortunes the next day her insatiable and unfeeling landlord, hearing that Saunderson had eloped, distrained for rent; and obliged her to seek an asylum for herself and children in the house of a neighbour.

Amiable but unfortunate girl, hard was thy lot! Think on her fate ye who enjoy the comforts of life, who have homes to shelter, and friends to protect you; think on Amelia Howard, the daughter of a gentleman of fortune and independence, once the delight of the young, and the admiration of the aged, reduced to the humiliating condition of a beggar, and in an inclement scason, stripped of her all, forced upon the charity of a stranger.

The neighbour, to whose house Amelia went, was a benevolent and tender-hearted woman. She endeavoured to calm her mind by assuring her that all would yet be well; and was so very attentive that Amelia's sorrows were not a little alleviated -thereby.

Mr. Howard, at the expiration of a fortnight from the flight of Saunderson, arrived in Philadelphia. His journey had been