Huge triangular piles of
planks are also reared in different parts of the devoted
messuage; and a little group of trees that still grace the
eastern end, which rises in a gentle ascent, have just received
warning to quit, expressed by a daub of white paint, and are to
give place to a curious grove of chimneys.
It would, perhaps, hurt others in my situation to reflect that
this little range of pasturage once belonged to my father (whose
family was of some consideration in the world), and was sold by
patches to remedy distresses in which he involved himself in an
attempt by commercial adventure to redeem his diminished fortune.
While the building scheme was in full operation, this
circumstance was often pointed out to me by the class of friends
who are anxious that no part of your misfortunes should escape
your observation. "Such pasture-ground!--lying at the very
town's end--in turnips and potatoes, the parks would bring L20
per acre; and if leased for building--oh, it was a gold mine!
And all sold for an old song out of the ancient possessor's
hands!" My comforters cannot bring me to repine much on this
subject. If I could be allowed to look back on the past without
interruption, I could willingly give up the enjoyment of present
income and the hope of future profit to those who have purchased
what my father sold.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25