ent--to fall
upon his hands; and such was the situation of the country, that it not
only called for the exertion, the wisdom, sound judgment, and policy of
the presidential chair, but likewise of every patriotic bosom to
participate in their endeavours to oppose the depredations against it.
The chief executive was entered on a theatre in which he was to act a
conspicuous part in this war of America with Great Britain, and to
occupy a station in the page of history, where the interesting detail
will reach the ear of remotest ages in the dates of time.

In the mean time, the father of Theodore had been absent for three or
four days to one of the commercial seaports, on business with some
merchants with whom he was connected in trade. He returned the next day
after Theodore had got home; his aspect and his conversation were marked
with an assumed and unmeaning cheerfulness. At supper he ate nothing,
discoursed much, but in an unconnected and hurried manner, interrupted
by long pauses, in which he appeared to be buried in contemplation.
After supper he asked Theodore "if it were not possible that his union
with Alida could be concluded within a few days?" Theodore, startled at
so unexpected a question, replied, that such a proposal would be
considered extraordinary, perhaps improper; besides, when Alida had
named the day, she mentioned that she had an uncle who lived at a
distance, whose daughter was to pass the summer with her, and was
expected to arrive before the appointed time. It would, he said, be a
delicate thing for him to anticipate the nuptials, unless he could give
some cogent reason for so doing, and at present he was not apprised that
any such existed. His father, after a few moments' hesitation, answered,
"I have reasons which, when told,"--here he stopped, suddenly arose,
hastily walked the room in much visible agony of mind, and then retired
to his chamber.

Theodore and his mother were much amazed at so strange a proceeding.
They could form no conjecture of its cause, or its consequence. Theodore
passed a sleepless night. His father's slumbers were interrupted; he was
restless and uneasy: his sleep was broken and disturbed by incoherent
mutterings and plaintive moans. In the morning when he appeared at
breakfast, his countenance wore the marks of dejection and anguish. He
scarcely spoke a word; and after the cloth was removed, he ordered all
to withdraw except Theodore and his mother; when, with emotions t