Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

THE LIKENESS.*

A FRAGMENT.

"Every thing went to decay; all was gloomy." For lack of culture, my farm became a desart, and produced "thistles instead of wheat." I little thought when I destroyed commerce I destroyed agriculture also; of their connection I was ignorant till taught by fatal experience * * * *. Fearing to risk myself with people I had so deeply injured, and to avoid the reproaches I constantly heard, as well as the desolation I had made, I left my possessions to the care of a servant who had been my chief adviser, and retired to this lonely spot, out of danger's iron grasp. Here, said I, I shall be truly independent. I shall be happy of course; but alas! I was deceived—I had escaped outward reproaches, but to endure reproaches more dreadful from within.—

My conscience, of which before I knew nothing, became my accuser, and whispered the wrongs I had done. To her "still small voice" I opposed my philosophy, and for a long time endeavored to persist in viewing my former conduct with approbation. Reason at length triumphed, and her triumph was my condemnation. The opening of my eyes was the losing of my peace, the end of my happiness—I beheld with astonishment my own frame wasted & decayed, while I had been deluding myself with the fond expectation of heaping wrath upon others. The crimes I had committed continually passed in review before my eyes. My mean criminality and cowardice, in suffering my rights to be invaded with impunity the suffering and distress I had brought upon my children and tenants, and above all the blood I had shed, pressed on my mind with mountainous weight—I stood self-condemned—Heavens! said I, is this the result of my "enforcements?" Is this the end of my philosophy? I rose, with the determination of instantly retiring to my domain and atoning for my former errors.—

But the judgement of God had overtaken me. Such long "retirement within myself" had deprived me of strength; my limbs refused their office. In vain I endeavored to extricate myself from this horrid abode; my doom was sealed; repentance came too late. I had persevered in my folly and wickedness till I had ruined others, till I had destroyed myself. With a lingering death before my eyes, "in the agonies of my soul, and with a hell in my bosom," I stretched myself on the earth * * * *..

But all is now over. I feel the cold hand of the "King of Terrors" encircling my heart. In a few moments I shall depart for that country, "from whose bourne no traveller returns," before an awful judge to render an account of my stewardship; to account for hiding in the earth that talent which was committed to my care. I have trifled with my own happiness and that of others, and I am justly punished. Take warning stranger! to surrender your own rights may be criminal! to abandon those of others, or fail to defend them, when committed to your care, is high treason against God and man? Such is my offence! O God forgive me, I die!"

His nobler part was gone. I sat motionless with surprise, and a cold chill ran thro' my veins. Recollection returned. I committed his remains to the earth, and, taking up my sword, hastily departed.