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 marri