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Stephen Dudley was a native of New York. He was
educated to the profession of a painter. His father's trade
was that of an apothecary. But this son, manifesting an attachment
to the pencil, he was resolved that it should be
gratified. For this end Stephen was sent at an early age
to Europe, and not only enjoyed the instructions of Fuzeli
and Bartolozzi, but spent a considerable period in Italy, in
studying the Augustan and Medicean monuments. It was
intended that he should practice his art in his native city, but
the young man, though reconciled to this scheme by deference
to paternal authority, and by a sense of its propriety,
was willing, as long as possible to postpone it. The liberality
of his father relieved him from all pecuniary cares. His
whole time was devoted to the improvement of his skill in his
favorite art, and the enriching of his mind with every valuable
accomplishment. He was endowed with a comprehensive
genius and indefatigable industry. His progress was
proportionably rapid, and he passed his time without much
regard to futurity, being too well satisfied with the present to
anticipate a change. A change however was unavoidable,
and he was obliged at length to pay a reluctant obedience to
his father's repeated summons. The death of his wife had
rendered his society still more necessary to the old gentleman.

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He married before his return. The woman whom he had
selected was an unportioned orphan, and was recommended
merely by her moral qualities. These, however, were
eminent, and secured to her, till the end of her life, the affection
of her husband. Though painting was capable of
fully gratifying his taste as matter of amusement, he quickly
found that, in his new situation it would not answer the ends
of a profession. His father supported himself by the profits
of his shop, but with all his industry he could do no more
than procure a subsistence for himself and his son.

Till his father's death young Dudley attached himself to
painting. His gains were slender but he loved the art, and
his father's profession rendered his own exertions in a great
degree superfluous. The death of the elder Dudley introduced
an important change in his situation. It thenceforth
became necessary to strike into some new path, to deny
himself the indulgence of his inclinations, and regulate
his future exertions by a view to nothing but gain. There
was little room for choice. His habits had disqualified him
for mechanical employments. He could not stoop to the
imaginary indignity which attended them, nor spare the time
necessary to obtain the requisite degree of skill. His father
died in possession of some stock, and a sufficient portion of
credit to supply its annual decays. He lived at what they
call a good stand, and enjoyed a certain quantity of permanent
custom. The knowledge that was required was as
easily obtained as the elements of any other profession, and
was not wholly unallied to the pursuits in which he had sometimes
engaged. Hence he could not hesitate long in forming
his resolution, but assumed the management of his father's
concerns with a cheerful and determined spirit.

The knowledge of his business was acquired in no long
time. He was stimulated to the acquisition by a sense of
duty, he was inured to habits of industry, and there were few
things capable to resist a strenuous exertion of his faculties.
Knowledge of whatever kind afforded a compensation to
labor, but the task being finished, that which remained,
which, in ordinary apprehensions would have been esteemed
an easy and smooth path, was to him insupportably disgustful.
The drudgery of a shop, where all the faculties were at a
stand, and one day was an unvaried repetition of the

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foregoing, was too incongenial to his disposition not to be a source
of discontent. This was an evil which it was the tendency
of time to increase rather than diminish. The longer he
endured it the less tolerable it became. He could not forbear
comparing his present situation with his former, and
deriving from the contrast perpetual food for melancholy.

The indulgence of his father had contributed to instil into
him prejudices, in consequence of which a certain species of
disgrace was annexed to every employment of which the
only purpose was gain. His present situation not only precluded
all those pursuits which exalt and harmonize the feelings,
but was detested by him as something humiliating and
ignominious. His wife was of a pliant temper, and her
condition less influenced by this change than that of her husband.
She was qualified to be his comforter, but instead of
dispelling his gloom by judicious arguments, or a seasonable
example of vivacity, she caught the infection that preyed upon
his mind and augmented his anxieties by partaking in them.

By enlarging in some degree, the foundation on which his
father had built, he had provided the means of a future secession,
and might console himself with the prospect of enjoying
his darling ease at some period of his life. This
period was necessarily too remote for his wishes, and had
not certain occurrences taken place, by which he was flattered
with the immediate possession of ease, it is far from being
certain that he would not have fallen a victim to his growing
disquietudes.

He was one morning engaged behind his counter as usual,
when a youth came into his shop, and, in terms that bespoke
the union of fearlessness and frankness, inquired whether he
could be engaged as an apprentice. A proposal of this kind
could not be suddenly rejected or adopted. He stood in
need of assistance, the youth was manly and blooming, and
exhibited a modest and ingenuous aspect. It was possible
that he was, in every respect, qualified for the post for which
he applied, but it was previously necessary to ascertain these
qualifications. For this end he requested the youth to call
at his house in the evening, when he should be at leisure to
converse with him and furnished him with suitable directions.

The youth came according to appointment. On being
questioned as to his birth-place and origin, he stated that he

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was a native of Wakefield, in Yorkshire; that his family were
honest, and his education not mean; that he was the eldest
of many children, and having attained an age at which he conceived
it his duty to provide for himself, he had, with the concurrence
of his friends, come to America, in search of the
means of independent subsistence; that he had just arrived in
a ship which he named, and, his scanty stock of money being
likely to be speedily consumed, this had been the first effort
he had made to procure employment.

His tale was circumstantial and consistent, and his veracity
appeared liable to no doubt. He was master of his book
and his pen, and had acquired more than the rudiments of
Latin. Mr. Dudley did not require much time to deliberate.
In a few days the youth was established as a member of his
family, and as a coadjutor in his shop, nothing but food,
clothing, and lodging being stipulated as the reward of his
services.

The young man improved daily in the good opinion of his
master. His apprehension was quick, his sobriety invariable,
and his application incessant. Though by no means presumptuous
or arrogant, he was not wanting in a suitable degree of
self-confidence. All his propensities appeared to concentre
in his occupation and the promotion of his master's interest,
from which he was drawn aside by no allurements of sensual
or intellectual pleasure. In a short time he was able to relieve
his master of most of the toils of his profession, and
Mr. Dudley a thousand times congratulated himself on possessing
a servant equally qualified by his talents and his
probity. He gradually remitted his attention to his own concerns,
and placed more absolute reliance on the fidelity of
his dependant.

Young Craig, that was the name of the youth, maintained
a punctual correspondence with his family, and confided to
his patron, not only copies of all the letters which he himself
wrote, but those which, from time to time, he received. He
had several correspondents, but the chief of those were his
mother and his eldest sister. The sentiments contained in
their letters breathed the most appropriate simplicity and tenderness,
and flowed, with the nicest propriety, from the different
relationships of mother and sister. The style and even
the penmanship were distinct and characteristical.

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One of the first of these epistles was written by the mother
to Mr. Dudley, on being informed by her son of his present
engagement. It was dictated by that concern for the welfare
of her child befitting the maternal character. Gratitude, for
the ready acceptance of the youth's services, and for the benignity
of his deportment towards him, a just representation
of which had been received by her from the boy himself, was
expressed with no inconsiderable elegance; as well as her
earnest wishes that Mr. Dudley should extend to him not
only the indulgence, but the moral superintendence of a
parent.

To this Mr. Dudley conceived it incumbent upon him to
return a consenting answer, and letters were in this manner
occasionally interchanged between them.

Things remained in this situation for three years, during
which period every day enhanced the reputation of Craig,
for stability and integrity. A sort of provisional engagement
had been made between the parents, unattended however by
any legal or formal act, that things should remain on their
present footing for three years. When this period terminated,
it seemed as if a new engagement had become necessary.
Craig expressed the utmost willingness to renew the former
contract, but his master began to think that the services of
his pupil merited a higher recompense. He ascribed the
prosperity that had hitherto attended him, to the disinterested
exertions of his apprentice. His social and literary gratifications
had been increased by the increase of his leisure.
These were capable of being still more enlarged. He had
not yet acquired what he deemed a sufficiency, and could
not therefore wholly relieve himself from the turmoils and
humiliation of a professional life. He concluded that he
should at once consult his own interest and perform no more
than an act of justice to a faithful servant, by making Craig
his partner, and allowing him a share of the profits, on condition
of his discharging all the duties of the trade.

When this scheme was proposed to Craig, he professed
unbounded gratitude, considered all that he had done as
amply rewarded by the pleasure of performance, and as
being nothing more than was prescribed by his duty. He
promised that this change in his situation should have no other
effect, than to furnish new incitements to diligence and

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fidelity, in the promotion of an interest, which would then become,
in a still higher degree than formerly, a common one. Mr.
Dudley communicated his intention to Craig's mother, who,
in addition to many grateful acknowledgments, stated that a
kinsman of her son, had enabled him, in case of entering into
partnership, to add a small sum to the common stock, and
that, for this sum, Craig was authorized to draw upon a London
banker.

The proposed arrangement was speedily effected. Craig
was charged with the management of all affairs, and Mr.
Dudley retired to the enjoyment of still greater leisure. Two
years elapsed, and nothing occurred to interrupt the harmony
that subsisted between the partners. Mr. Dudley's condition
might be esteemed prosperous. His wealth was constantly
accumulating. He had nearly attained all that he wished,
and his wishes still aimed at nothing less than splendid opulence.
He had annually increased the permanent sources of
his revenue. His daughter was the only survivor of many
children, who perished in their infancy, before habit and maturity
had rendered the parental tie difficult to break. This
daughter had already exhibited proofs of a mind susceptible
of high improvement, and the loveliness of her person promised
to keep pace with her mental acquisitions. He charged
himself with the care of her education, and found no weariness
or satiety in this task that might not be amply relieved
by the recreations of science and literature. He flattered
himself that his career, which had hitherto been exempt from
any considerable impediment, would terminate in tranquillity.
Few men might, with more propriety, have discarded all apprehensions
respecting futurity.

Craig had several sisters and one brother, younger than
himself. Mr. Dudley, desirous of promoting the happiness
of this family, proposed to send for this brother, and have him
educated to his own profession, insinuating to his partner that,
at the time when the boy should have gained sufficient stability
and knowledge, he himself might be disposed to relinquish
the profession altogether, on terms particularly advantageous
to the two brothers, who might thenceforth conduct
their business jointly. Craig had been eloquent in praise of
this lad, and his testimony had, from time to time, been confirmed
by that of his mother and sister. He had often

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expressed his wishes for the prosperity of the lad, and when his
mother had expressed her doubts as to the best method of
disposing of him, modestly requested Mr. Dudley's advice
on this head. The proposal, therefore, might be supposed
to be particularly acceptable, and yet Craig expressed reluctance
to concur with it. This reluctance was accompanied
with certain tokens which sufficiently showed whence it arose.
Craig appeared unwilling to increase those obligations under
which he already labored. His sense of gratitude was too
acute to allow him to heighten it by the reception of new
benefits.

It might be imagined that this objection would be easily
removed; but the obstinacy of Craig's opposition was invincible.
Mr. Dudley could not relinquish a scheme to which
no stronger objection could be made. And, since his partner
could not be prevailed upon to make this proposal to the
friends of the lad, he was determined to do it himself. He
maintained an intercourse by letters with several of those
friends which he formed in his youth. One of them usually
resided in London. From him he received about this time, a
letter, in which, among other information, the writer mentioned
his intention of setting out on a tour through Yorkshire and
the Scottish highlands. Mr. Dudley thought this a suitable
opportunity for executing his design in favor of young Craig.
He entertained no doubts about the worth and condition
of this family, but was still desirous of obtaining some information
on this head from one who would pass through
this town where they resided, who would examine with his
own eyes, and on whose discernment and integrity he could
place an implicit reliance. He concealed this intention from
his partner, and entrusted his letter to a friend who was just
embarking for Europe. In due season he received an answer,
confirming, in all respects, Craig's representations, but
informing him that the lad had been lately disposed of in a
way not equally advantageous with that which Mr. Dudley
had proposed, but such as would not admit of change.

If doubts could possibly be entertained respecting the character
and views of Craig, this evidence would have dispelled
them. But plans however skilfully contrived, if founded on
imposture, cannot fail of being sometimes detected. Craig
had occasion to be absent from the city for some weeks.

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Meanwhile a letter had been left at his lodgings by one who
merely inquired if that were the dwelling of Mr. Dudley,
and being answered by the servant in the affirmative, left the
letter without farther parley. It was superscribed with a
name unknown to any of the family, and in a hand which its
badness rendered almost illegible. The servant placed it in
a situation to be seen by his master.

Mr. Dudley allowed it to remain unopened for a considerable
time. At length, deeming it excusable to discover,
by any means, the person to whom it was addressed, he ventured
to unseal it. It was dated at Portsmouth in New-Hampshire.
The signature was Mary Mansfield. It was
addressed to her son, and was a curious specimen of illiterateness.
Mary herself was unable to write, as she reminds
her son, and had therefore procured the assistance of Mrs.
Dewitt, for whose family she washed. The amanuensis was
but little superior in the arts of penmanship to her principal.
The contents of the epistle were made out with some difficulty.
This was the substance of it.

Mary reproaches her son for deserting her, and letting five
years pass away without allowing her to hear from him. She
informed him of her distresses as they flowed from sickness
and poverty, and were aggravated by the loss of her son who
was so handsome and promising a lad. She related her marriage
with Zekel Hackney, who first brought her tidings of her
boy. He was master, it seems, of a fishing smack, and
voyaged sometimes to New-York. In one of his visits to this
city, he met a mighty spry young man, in whom he thought
he recognized his wife's son. He had traced him to the
house of Mr. Dudley, and on inquiry, discovered that the
lad resided here. On his return he communicated the tidings
to his spouse, who had now written to reproach him for
his neglect of his poor old mother, and to intreat his assistance
to relieve her from the necessity of drudging for her
livelihood.

This letter was capable of an obvious construction. It
was, no doubt, founded in mistake, though, it was to be acknowledged,
that the mistake was singular. Such was the
conclusion immediately formed by Mr. Dudley. He quietly
replaced the letter on the mantelpiece, where it had before
stood, and dismissed the affair from his thoughts.

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