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ed acknowledgments; nor give him the leaſt opportunity to make his defence—The great gate was locked, and the key given to the old Nobleman, as had been determined.
Poor Jack found himſelf in a moſt deplorable condition. The great inlet to his farm was entirely blocked up, ſo that he could neither carry out the produce of his land for ſale, nor receive from abroad the ncceſſaries for his family.
But this was not all—His father, along with the Padlock aforeſaid, had ſent an overſeer to hector and domineer over him and his family; and to endeavour to break his ſpirit by exerciſing every poſſible ſeverity: for which purpoſe he was attended by a great number of mercenaries, and armed with more than common authorities.
On his firſt arrival in Jack’s family he was received with conſiderable reſpect, becauſe he was the delegate of their aged father: for, notwithſtanding all that had paſt, the people of the new ſettlements loved and revered the old Gentleman with a truly filial attachment: attributing his unkindneſs entirely to the intrigues of their enemy the ſteward. But this fair weather did not laſt
long
