The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-06-28
A PICTURE OF HOME INFLUENCE.
BY MRS. FOLLEN.

Dear Edward, SAID his wife, you
have something on your mind; your
brow looks troubled; what is it?'
.Only anxiety about business, Amy.
How often have | wished | had not
been bred merchant But my mother
said it was a tavorite wish of my faith
er, that should be an accomplished
merchant
Il have sometimes wished so too,' an
swered his wife; sand then again, |
remembered that the very evils which
belong to your profession, may be turn
ed into good. He that has it in his
power to do wrong with impunty,
though he gains by it, yet he chooses
the right by which he is the most elo-
quent preacher of Righteousness
'Very true, Amy; but sometimes, this
is indeed cutting off the right hand, and
piucking out the right eye; and then
thinking always about money, and bar
gains, has such a counteracting inhu-
encc upon ones mind
But, how often, Edward, have |
heard you say, that no man has such a
wide and various connexion with the
human race, as a well-educated, up
right, and active merchant. Every
part of the world sends him its tribute
of knowledge, as well as ofriches. He
sees men under all aspects; and while
he may, with certain degree of secu-
ity, indulge in dishonesty, and be an
enemy to his iellow-men, perhaps no
man can be so true, and self sacrificing,
and efficient philanthropist as a chris
tan merchant
1T is not always as easy as youmay
imagine for merchant to act as re-
membering that he is under his great
Task-master's eye.'
Not for all or some men; but for you
Edward, the difficulty would be to act
otherwise. Whenl think of your pro-
fession, Edward, it gives me pleasure
to notice that merchants in general, as
they acquire property more easily, are
most disposed to spend it liberaIly.'
'Yes,' said Edward, as his eyes kin
died at the thought, 'the greater por-
ton Of our public beneiactors have
been merchants. Their money has
given eyes to the blind and ears to the
deaf, health to the sick, and peace and
comfort to the forsaken, it feeds and
instructs the ignorant poor, it sends the
glad tidings of salvation to the unbe-
lever and the penltent; it takes little
children in its arms and blesses them;
but all this glorious power supposes
wealth Amy
'And you, dear Edward, are rich
enough to enjoy the highest of all priv
ileges; to be the dispenser of good to
others. You have cause only for
thankfuIness. But the poor, the un-
successful merchant, who has not the
meansof educating his children, whose
spirits are broken down by failures,
and whose temper is soured by what
he considers the injustice or dishonesty
of others perhaps may be excused for
finding fault with his profession. My
heart aches for him."
Edward started up and walked has
tily backward and forward, through the
room, as if he had been seized with
some sudden and intolerable pain.
'What is the matterp said his wife.
are you ill?'
80 nothing: nothing of consequence,
said Edward, q happened to think of
something unpleasant then. 1t is late
now and my head aches
They retired for the night. The
next day Edware looked depressed and
thoughtful, and as if he had passed a
.sleepless night. Amy was troubled
by his silence. This was the first
cloud that rested upon her husbands s
brow since they were married.
lie has, she said to herself, 'he has
/ always con6ded everything to me. He
will tell me what tits that hangs so
heavily on his spirits. He will never