We had not seen Mr.Wright for nearly two years, but he had sent us the novels of Sir Walter Scott and I had led them heart deep into the creed battles of Old Mortality.
Then came the evil days of 1837, when the story of our lives began to quicken its pace and excite our interest in its coming chapters.

It gave us enough to think of, God knows.
Wild speculations in land and the American paper-money system had brought us into rough going.

The banks of the city of New York had suspended payment of their notes.

They could no longer meet their engagements.

As usual, the burden fell heaviest on the poor.