Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1843-04-27
From NE PAiIadslpAia Tnquirsr.
THE LAST SILVER SPOON.
AZ YNcrDrNT o. RRAL LIFE,


bubbles, and the depreciation of properly,
and painful cases of distress. The rich have
become poor; the easy in circumstances been
reduced 10 want, and many father who had
devoted the flower ofhis life to the accumula.
ton Of moderate independence, and who
had with pride and joy watched the growth
of his children, deaFer in some cases, than
life itself, has suffered deeply and keenly.
1t is too often tho error moreover, Of foud
and indulgent PARENTS 10 unfit their offspring
for the reverses of fortune. They train them
I'D like hot-house plantA forgetfGl Of the cold
blasts of misfortune. or indUlging the hope
that they az least will escape vicisstude, and
not be called upon to labor for their daily
bread. II il Ia such cases. that the arrows Of
adversely are felt with The most aCuteness,
and the wonder Is, not tEiatwe occasionally
hear Of q mind too weak 20 bear up amid the
darkness Of despair; bul that so many who
have been toppled in an instant, as II were,
from high prosperity 10 ruin and penury,
should still in the true spirit of philosophy
and christianity, struggle nobly and manful.
ly on. Such ordeals are the true tests OF
character. If passed through unncathed.
they indicate the possession Of the nobler
energies of our race, while they also bespeak
proper confidence ia Providence, and In
the glorious faith of our religion. How
beautiful does the character of the woman
shine forth amidst sorrow and suffering
How her gentle spirit rises, and acquires
new nerve and fresh vigor. as the clouds of
adversely gather! How she clings with a
fidelity which has no kindred to mere earth.
ly things, to the beings of her love. What
sacrifice she makes! What trials she sub.
mits to, and with spirit of calm and pa.
tient martyrdom! How she sometimes lives
upon q crust day, rather than add to the
suffer ings of her heart, or with the object Of
relieving the distressas Of her children
But to our incident: ~.
We happened not long ago, to be sitting
in the room off friend, q jeweller and silver.
smith, we'll known TO the community AZ q
man of integrity and character. His attcn.
ton was suddenly called by the appearance
of an elderly gentleman. who opened the
door of the store, passed hastily into the back
Office where we were seated, and observing
that the store-keeper was not alone.as hastily
withdrew. Our friend recognized, called to
and followed him. They conversed together
for few minutes in an undertone, and then
the store. keeper returned to his little offlce.
We saw that he was agitated us well aPs az
fected. He stammered as he Attempted to
eve was moistened with q tear. We looked
al him inquiringly-he became more confus.
ed, and finding Il impossible to control his
feelings, or explain his conduct, he asked
"Do you know that old gentleman !" We
replied that we thought we did. but not quite
certain; and at the same time named an In.
dividual who formerly stood very high 10 our
community as merchant.
"Do you know any thing Of his circum.
stances now?"
"Nothing in detail |: but some facts that
have reached US. authorize . belief that he
sPoor indeed ~ Responded our friend
and he drew from the case in which be had
Just deposited il, q silver spoon. This" he
remarked, els the last Of the family plate.
Piece BY piece has It been sold in this way,
and for many weeks past the spoons have
been disposed of by that worthy unfortunate
man, with the object Of obtaining means
wherewith to 60 10 market. And once, not
ten years ago, he ranked as o wealthy mer.
chant of Philadelphia, and kept bis carriage.
He il now reduced to this painful extremity
has three lovely daughters, as well as an
aged wife, who still look up TO him ne their
will do. when this their last resources, 10 En-
hausted."
Our friend had scarcely concluded this
brief account when the slight figure Of fe- |
male closely yelled, passed into the store. |
He left us again, and Yves absent for some
time. On returning, he was evidently more
affected than on the first occasion. And yet,
mingled with the sad expression OF hts coun.
tenance, was nm evident CLEAN Of pleasure at
something which had transpired. His story
was briefone. The female was the young.
ess daughter Of the old gentleman. She with
her sisters had long known their fathers dis. |
tress, but not in its full reality. They had
seen their luxuries depart from them one by |
one, and instead of murmuriDg, had rejoiced |
that they were able 80 well to spare them. |
On the morning of the day 10 question. how:
ever, the mother came to them IN tears, and
told them the whole story-addiDg that the |
last spoon had been borne away in the man |
nef and for the purpose described. The |
poor girls were deeply touched, but tho IN. |
iesligence was not altogether unexpected
for they had long vafnly endeavored to close
fhoir eSes 10 the truth of the changed condi- |
tfom Of their father. Their determination was |
sDeedily taken. They bad still left many
iewels such as ear ard finger rings, bracelets
and necklaces, relics Of former days and
morn afliuent circumstances. These they
gathered together, and the object0f the youfn-
eesf ID visiting our friend, was to sell them
For whatever they would bring. and place
lhe money in the hands Of the ruined mer-
cham. The jeweller gave liberal price.
for knowing all circumstances Of the case. bis
heart was softened like that Of child, and
he thanked God, a. be related the little incl
dent, mat be possessed tho means q assisting,
even Indirectly. q family every way worthy.