The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-03-01
NlIS0lATLlh&A NIA0TSo
THE BANKRUPT'S SON.
A NARRATIVE FOUNDED ON FACTS.

DI IL sometimes happens lha' lhe chai
=, Lao individuals assume a decided form oy
the intervention of an unexpected incident
or the being placed in new and and res
oonsble situations. Few, indeed, whose
Lives have been marked by uncommon en-
lrrgv and determination, tending TO The &C
CON mplishmeni Of definite purpose, bu
may trace the starting polnt-Ihe Crisis II
!ltheir hislory-lo some event which, bJ
|rousiug their dormant faculties, or exciting
lsome hitherto slumberng motive, has glver
A new turn to their habits, & a new colour
to their lives.
George Belmont was in his nin''een''
yesr when he received summons TO al
lend the sick bed of his father, who, af'e'
maintaining high reputation asa trades
man during the greater portion OF his LIE
Ihad failed in business, and whose consl'u
,ion, already shaken ty cares and disap
continents, sunk under The combined evils
Of poverty and keen sense Of the degrade,
ZION no believed atendap! upon his bank
rup,cy, George was his eldes! child He
had received liberal education, and been
intended for physician, but his fathers
difficulties having deprived him OF she
means of completing as professional studies
he had obtained situation in the counting
house of an extensive manufacturer in The
Town of G.. Up to this period ol
Ihis life Ieorgehad manifested no energy or
4bily, but was regarded by his employer
as steady well disposed youth, possessing
merely lalen, sufioient,o enable him 10 dis
charge his duties ia satisfactory man.
| ller.
Young Belmont, who was considerably
|iappoib,ed in not being able to folio" the
profession he had chosen, and who imagIn
I'd that he had dislaste for mercantile ai
airs, contested himself with the bare per
ormance Of hs prescribed duty, induIging
secretly the hope tina, something might yet
turn up more coRgenlal to his wishes. From
he dream of The future he was, however,
,ffectulIly aroused when standing by the
bedside of his dying (alher-a sense of the
esponsiblilily attaching TO Tim as e! lest
'hId, and only son of a widowed mother
'ume home to his understanding and to his
,eart. On Georges arrival at home, he
found that his laihei had been some honrs
'peechless, though il was evident to his
,ffll cled relations that he retained uI! pos.
session Of his faculties. With the anxious
searching look 50 common to the dying, lie
gazed now on his wife, now ON his Iilue
daughter, and then his eager eye sought the
Icounenance Of his son; who, struggling
with emotion, made vigorous effort 10
conduct himself with manly fortiLude. Re
lpIying to The wistful and touching look
fixed on him, George said--'My dear faith.
es, will, by the hell Of God, endeavour
10 supply your place to my mother and ais.
Ter. am young and strong. For your
sake and theirs, | will devote myself 10
business, and do not d0ub, but | shall be
able to make them comfortable And a.
the youth uttered these words, in voice
remuIous with grief, he bowed his lead,
and tears fell thick and fast upon the almos |
Irig;d hand he held in his own.
But it now became evident that, though
George had IN par! rightly lnterpreted- his
fathers wishes, something yet remained
unexpressed, which disturbed his last mo
menls, for he made violent Efforts 10 speak ;,
and with much difficulty artculated.- |
wish 10 say understanding more
George stopped 10 listen, but could only
calcn the words--'Should it ever be in your
power--my son promise ms--' |, was
AgonSing to witness his Intellectual efforts
10 proceed; but just then the truth flashed
across his sons mind, and ne exclaimed
with esrnestnsss-, I understand you, dsal
father; and do most solemnly promise,
'ha if it should be IN my power,I will pay
your creditors to The uuermosI iarlhing, and
. may God prosper me as fulfil lais prom
lIise.'
A beam Of joyful satisfaction illuminated