"What could I do, Mr. Harley? I feared the undertaking was too
great for me; yet to leave, at my age, the house I had lived in from
my cradle! I could not, Mr. Harley, I could not; there was not a
tree about it that I did not look on as my father, my brother, or my
child: so I even ran the risk, and took the squire's offer of the
whole. But had soon reason to repent of my bargain; the steward had
taken care that my former farm should be the best land of the
division: I was obliged to hire more servants, and I could not have
my eye over them all; some unfavourable seasons followed one
another, and I found my affairs entangling on my hands. To add to
my distress, a considerable corn-factor turned bankrupt with a sum
of mine in his possession: I failed paying my rent so punctually as
I was wont to do, and the same steward had my stock taken in
execution in a few days after. So, Mr. Harley, there was an end of
my prosperity. However, there was as much produced from the sale of
my effects as paid my debts and saved me from a jail: I thank God I
wronged no man, and the world could never charge me with dishonesty.
"Had you seen us, Mr. Harley, when we were turned out of South-hill,
I am sure you would have wept at the sight.
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