may be experienced by those who are beyond the verge of peril. My own
person was exposed to no hazard. I had leisure to conjure up terrific
images, and to personate the witnesses and sufferers of this calamity.
This employment was not enjoined upon me by necessity, but was ardently
pursued, and must therefore have been recommended by some nameless
charm.

Others were very differently affected. As often as the tale was
embellished with new incidents or enforced by new testimony, the hearer
grew pale, his breath was stifled by inquietudes, his blood was chilled,
and his stomach was bereaved of its usual energies. A temporary
indisposition was produced in many. Some were haunted by a melancholy
bordering upon madness, and some, in consequence of sleepless panics,
for which no cause could be assigned, and for which no opiates could be
found, were attacked by lingering or mortal diseases.

Mr. Hadwin was superior to groundless apprehensions. His daughters,
however, partook in all the consternation which surrounded them. The
eldest had, indeed, abundant reason for her terror. The youth to whom
she was betrothed resided in the city. A year previous to this, he had
left the house of Mr. Hadwin, who was his uncle, and had removed to
Philadelphia in pursuit of fortune.

He made himself clerk to a merchant, and, by some mercantile adventures
in which he had successfully engaged, began to flatter himself with
being able, in no long time, to support a family. Meanwhile, a tender
and constant correspondence was maintained between him and his beloved
Susan. This girl was a soft enthusiast, in whose bosom devotion and love
glowed with an ardour that has seldom been exceeded.