The Columbian fountain., 1845-11-13

that first resort Of nearly all destitute fe
m1es, upon whom families are dependent
especially of those who have occupied al
elevated position in society, was opened, a
the only means of support that presented
ITSELF The result of this experiment, con
tinucd for year and a half, was debt
several Hundred dollars, which was llqul
dated by the seizure Of Mrs. Graham's iur
niture. But worse than this, a speclou'
young man, one Of the boarders, had wor
upon the affections of Ellen, and induced
her to marry him. He, too soon, provec
himself to have neither true affection iol
her, nor to have sound moral principles
He was, moreover, idle, and fond OF gay
company.
On the day that Mrs. Graham broke up
her boarding g-house, Markland, her daugh-
ter's husband, was discharged from his stu
alton as clerk, on account OF lneifclency.
For six months previous, the time ne had
been married, he had paid no boarding, thus
adding himself as dead weight to the al
ready overburdened family. As ne had no
house to which he could take Ellen, he
very naturally felt himself authorized to
share the house to which the distressed
family of her mother retired, seemingly re-
gardless Of how or by whom the food he
daily consumed was provided.
But Mrs. Graham was soon reduced to
such extremitics, that he was driven off from
her, with his wife, and forced to obtain en-
ployment by which to support himself and
her. AS for the old man, he had managed,
in the wreck of affairs, to retain large pro-
portion of his wines, and other choice
liquors; and these, which no pressure Of
want in his family could drive him to sell,
afforded the means Of gratifying his inor-
dinate love Of drink. His clothes gradually
became old and rusty-but this seemed tor
give him no concern. He wandered list
lessly in his old business haunts, or lounged
about the house in state Of half stupor,
drinking regularly all through the day, at
frequent periods, and going to bed, usually,
at nights, in state of stupefaction.
When the boarding was given up,
poor Mrs. Graham, whose health and spirits
had both rapidly declined in the past two
years, felt utterly at a loss what to do. But
pressing necessities required immediate ac-
ton.
Gamma, child, what are we TO do,' she
said, rousing herself, one evening, while sit
ting alone with her daughters in gloomy alb
straction.
6 Indeed, Ma, am as much at loss as
you are. have been thinking and think
ing about it, until my mind has become be-
clouded and bewadered."
81 have been thinking, too" said Mary,
"Iand it strikes me that Anna and might
do something in the way Of ornamental
needlework Both Of us, you know, are
fond of it."
ssDo you think that we can sell it, after
it is done?n Anna asked, with lively in
terest in her tone.
81 certainly do. We see plenty of such
work in the shops; and they must buy it,
Of course" -
/. sLet us try, then, Mary" her sister said
with animation.
A week spent in untiring industry, pro-
duced two elegantly wrought capes, equal
to the finest French embroidery.
ssAnd, now, where shall we sell them -
Anna inquired, in tone Of concern.
"Mrs -- would, no doubt, buy them
but /, for one, cannot bear the thought OF
going there"
I" Nor !. But, driven by necessity; be-
lieve that could brave to 60 there, or any
where else, even though have not been in
Chestnut-street for nearly two years"
"Will you 90, then, Nary" Anna asked
in an earnest, appealing tone.
eyes, Anna, as you seem 50 shrlnklngly
reluctant, | will go.''
And forthwith Mary prepared herself; and
rolling up the two elegant capes, proceeded
with them to the store of Mrs. -, In
Chestnut-street. 1t was crowded with GUS
toners when she entered, and SO she shrunk
away to the back part of the store, until
Mrs. -- should be mere at leisure, and
she could bargain with her without attract
ing attention. She had stood there only a
few moments, when her ear caught the
sound of a familiar voice--that Of Mary
Williams, one Of her former most intimate
associates. Her first impulse was to spring
forward, but remembrance of her changed
condition instantly recurring to her, she
turned more away from the light, so as to
effectually conceal herself from the young
lady's observation. This she was enabled
to do, although Mary Williams came once
or twice so near as to brush her garments
How oppressively did her heart beat, a