Page:A Sketch of the Life of George Wilson, the Blackheath Pedestrian.djvu/22

 for my own clothing, I found myself master of a little capital of 110l.

There was then a young woman, the niece of my good uncle, John Bell, who had acted some time as a servant to my mother, and to this young woman I looked with an eye of affection, which she did not discourage. She was comely in her person, and, as I thought, correct and industrious in her conduct, and I promised myself as much happiness as possible from a match with such a wife. My uncle, who discovered the growing attachment between me and his niece, not only approved and encouraged, but urged the matter, and promised to lend me 200l. at 4 per cent. in aid of my little capital, to set up business on my own account. The match took place accordingly, but he proved himself unfaithful to his promises. Would to Heaven I not since many and stronger reasons to lament his conduct in respect to my conjugal peace!—In short, he never could be prevailed on to lend me more than a few small sums at different times, amounting to 30l. and after this sum had been laid out and dispersed in the way of my business, so that I could not recall it before a considerable lapse of time, he suddenly demanded and insisted on repayment, and threatened to arrest me if I failed.

I was therefore obliged to suspend my business, and hoard every shilling that came in, until I had made up the sum, to save me from arrest and ruin. In consequence of this act of severity, I could continue that business, exclusively, but two year. I was then induced to try my hand at some other, and I commenced that of a broker and dealer in second-hand articles, which I continued for the remainder of nine