A SECRET CHARACTER UNVEILED. ALT

they were only able to obtain his name, which, by the
parish-books, appeared to be Moreland.

Though there were many conjectures as to hig cir-
cumstances, the general supposition appeared to be,
that in early life he had been unfortunate in business,
and had been reduced to live retired on a small an-
nuity which had been settled on him by a friend.

After he had thus lived a number of years, a train
of circumstances occurred within a short time which
fully displayed his real character.

in a narrow lane, at a little distance, there lived
a poor widow, who had five children, the eldest a
beautiful girl of nineteen. The mother had been very
industrious, and supported her family by taking in
sewing, in which she was assisted by her two eldest
daughters. It happened that one of the children,
and at length herself, fell ill of a violent fever, which
reduced them to very great distress. Her two
daughters did all in their power, but they were
unable to earn beyond a few shillings a week, so that
they were obliged to part with the greater portion
of their goods for present subsistence. On the reco-
very of the poor widow and her child, a half-year’s
rent was due, which she was unable to pay. The
cruel landlord threatened to seize the remainder of
her effects, and turn her and her children into the
street. The youth and beauty of the eldest girl had
so excited his passion, that he unfeelingly informed
the mother that it wasin the power of her daughter
to prevent his severity; but that pure virtue which
frequently dwells in the heart of many that are
reduced to distress, treated his proposal with disdain.
The girl had a faithful lover, a journeyman shoc-
maker, who, during the illness of her family, had
worked very hard, and divided his weekly earnings
with them, and now, by his promises, endeavoured to
soften the severity of the landlord, but to no purpose.
As he was going one night to pay his accustomed

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