Page:Affecting history of an inn-keeper in Normandy.pdf/12

(12) no pecuniary conſideration, and which he had entered into upon no other motive than the preſervation of his father from the reſentments of his creditors. The parent bewailed their complicated misfortunes; but perſiſted in ſuffering the utmoſt extremities, rather than embrue their hands in blood. When the young fellow noticed, that his arguments made no impreſſion, he then artfully enumerated the ſore afflictions which his youngeſt brother endured in Flanders from cold, penury, and toil. Nor did he fail to inſinuate, that now an occaſion preſented itſelf of ſuccouring the wretched youth, who was daily ſurrounded with famine, diſeaſe, and death. The pitiable father burſt into a torrent of tears, and haſtily ſaid, Whatever we are to do, let us do it immediately.

Thus the lacerated heart, although it had reſolutely maintained its ground againſt the piercing ſollicitations of poverty, the approaching terrors of a priſon, and the importunate clamours of an undone child, nevertheleſs fell a ſudden ſacrifice to the inordinate tranſports of parental affection.