Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-02-21

was really only trust for her children. Mr..
Coleman had given up everything, and so had
her father. Money was exceedingly scarce,
and all kinds of business Frustrated.
"Do not oppose Inc in this" she said final
ly to her husband, who could not bear the
thought of seeing his wife undertake the labor
and fatigue she proposed to herself. IS If not
for your sake, am bound for my fathers
sake to make the trial."
This disarmed Mr.. Coleman ofevery argn-
meRt. He felt its force. The father had
been crushed BY his fall. Circulars were IN
due time printed and sent forth. Mrs. Cole
man had many friends who estimated he char
acter highly. A large number of these hailed
with pleasure her proposition to open young
ladies' seminary. Schools there were in a.
bundance, and good schools, SO called. But
to have their half grown daughters placed UNI
der the care OF a woman combining so many
qualifications, moral and intellectual. was
privilege indeed, and so it was felt. Natural
1y enough, Mrs. CoIeman's classes filed up,
and she soon found on her hands a large es-
Enlistment, requiring the devotion OF almost
every moment of her time. Teachers had to
be employed in the various branches taught,
leaving to her the care and superintendent Of
the whole-a task that she had not only the a.
bllity to discharge, but the conscientiousness
to discharge well.
For this labor and care Mrs. Coleman re-
ceived all the reward, above secret con-
seriousness of doing her duty, that she desired,
which was the satisfaction of seeing her has
band and father, during several years Of I'M
paralleled commercial depression, unburdened
by the depressing cares of Improbable bust
ness. Not that either of them remained idly
dependent upon her labor. No-both found
employment, and pursued it diligently; but the
return was SMALL and on Mr.. Coleman's part,
would have proved altogether insufficient tor
the comfortable maintenance of his family
Mr.. Barlow lived with them, and as far as ex-
ternal comforts and elegancies were concern
ed, knew no difference between this and for
mer times. Mrs. Coleman was permitted to
manage her own affairs entirely. both pecu-
mary and economical. The husband felt
delicacy about making common stock and
common interest between his income and that
Of his wife. Often he attempted to supply
her with money. but she would smilingly de-
cline receiving any, saying that she had more
than enough 10 meet all the expenses Of the
family.
Several years passed this way, during
which Mrs. Coieman's seminary remained as
had pre7ented either her husband or father from
doing more than small business, although
their profit had been regularly re-iHvested in
trade, there being no demands upon either of
them for household or other expenses.
On New Years eve, after the lapse of five
years, Mrs. Coleman, her husband and father
sat conversing together Of the past, the pre-
sent and the future.
"Without capital it is a hard struggle and
long one that gives any man foothold in the
commercial world" remarked Mr.. Coleman.
"That l have fully proved. For five years
have been striving diligently, and thanks to
our good Helen! without the drawback of a
family to support, and yet am only begin
ming to feel my feet, as it were, under me-
And your case" addressing his father-in-law,
ais not much better, if any. All! it makes me
unhappy, often, 10 tn nix that through my i'm
prudence, mismanagement, or something
worse, l have brought you down so low, and
kept your face to the earth so long. But if
had good capital to work on, could soon
make that restitution my heart so ardently de-
sircs."
81 will not hear you talk so. my son. am
as happy as | ever was in my l;fe," old Mr..
Barlow said, earnestly; - and cannot be made
unhappy, as things now are, unless il be from
hearing such remerks as those you have jus
made"
I" What would you call a good capital1'
asked Mrs. Coleman, locking up into her hus-
bands face.
Some ten or twenty thousand dollars, in
CASH.
"Would that do all for you that is needed"
Would it! Yes! Give me ten thousand
dollars to add to my present little capital, and
III five years | will recover all | have lost.'
Mr.. Coleman said this with Enthusiasm
AS he finished speaking, his wife quietly a.
rose and left the room. In about ten minutes
she returned her cheek warm and her eve
bright. She had in her hand a small casket.
a present from her husband many years be-
fore. Placing it in his hands, as she walked
up 70 where he was sitting, she said
'WaIter, there is all you ask In that box
you will find twelve thousand dollars, earned
by your wife. Take them; use them; accom-
pliSh the end SO near your heart, and be hap
py."
The box rested in Mr.. Coltman's hand hutt
an instant. In the next moment it fell upon
the floor.
''Helen"' he exclaimed, rising quickly, and
grasping her hand. " Helen do l hear "a
right!"
at is all as have said, dear husband!' was
her calmly spoken answer. But her eyes
were full Of tears.
" My noble wife," tho husband said, draw
ing her to his bosom, and holding her there
with stralnfng grasp-"I can never be hip
pier than | am al this moment.''
"Nor Nor l." half sobbed old Mr.. Bar
low coming quickly forward, and taking both
Helen and her husband in his arms. ayes
noble woman! If such be the fruits of adver-
slty, sweet, indeed, are they to 3he faste.-I
Happy is the man who has such a child
Happy the man who has such a wfe!''
We drop the curtain quickly over this
scene. All that was felt, and looked, and
said, cannot be told, Enough has been made
apparent to impress the readers mind and
give wings 10 lis Imagination.