Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/5

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was successful—was transported at his promised eternal happiness, and laid up for himself a "load of cares."

Reprobated by his mercenary relation, he married, and carried his wife to the quarters where his duty called him. For a time, he was as happy as a man could be, who, in possessing a darling object, hourly expected to be torn from her. It happened, before that dreaded period arrived, peace was concluded on between the contending powers; and he had the supreme delight of remaining with the object of his affections—of looking forward to an increase of family, but had forgot, in the hour of exultation, that he was now reduced to half-pay.

The first moment this blow struck on his heart, was when some preparations were thought necessary for the accommodation of his wife. Alas! then, and not 'till then, did it occur to him, how insufficient the poor pittance he possessed would be to support the unavoidable expenses coming upon him. What he could retrench from his own little