The Columbian fountain., 1845-11-13
SCELLAN EOUS.
THE RUINED FAMILY.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.
{ C. o n { ! n u G d. J

A second heavy loss, of nearly equal
amount, altogether consequent upon this ne
glect of business, seemed to awaken up the
latent energies of his character, and he re-
turned to himself with something of his
former clear-sighted energy of character.
But his affairs had already become, to him,
strangely entangled. The machinery of his
extensive operations had been interrupted;
and now, in attempting to make the wheels
move on again, it was too apparent that
much of it had become deranged, and the
parts no longer moved in harmonious ac-
tion with the whole. The more these diff
culties pressed upon him, the deeper did he
drink, as a kind Of relief, and, in conse-
quence, the more unfit to extricate himself
from his troubles did he become. Every
struggle, like the efforts Of large animal
in quagmire, only tended to involve him
deeper and deeper in ineAtricable embarrass-
ment. lo @
This downward tendency continued for
about three years, when his family was sud-
denly stunned by the shock Of his failure.
1t seemed impossible for them to realize the
truth-and, indeed, almost impossible for the
whole community to realize it. It was only
three or four years previous, that his wealth
was estimated, and truly so, at million and
half He was known to have met with
heavy losses, but where SO much could have
gone. puzzled every one. 1t seems almost
incredible, that any man could have run
through such an estate by mismanagement,
in SO brief period. But such was really
the case. Accustomed to heavy operations,
he continued to engage in only the most
liberal transactions, every loss in which was
matter of serious moment. And towards
the last, as his mind grew more and more
bewildered in consequence of his drinking
deeper and deeper, he scarcely got up sin
gle voyage, that did not result in loss; until,
finally, he was driven to an utter abandon
ment Of business-but not until he had in
volved his whole estate In ruin. "
| The beautiful family mansion on Chesnut
street had to be given up-the carriage and
elegant furniture sold under the hammer,
while the family retired, overwhelmed with
distress, to an humble dwelling in an obscure
part of the town. ..... .,f ....
Seven years from the day on which Mrs.
Graham and her children were thus thrown
suddenly down from their elevation, and
driven into obscurity, that lady sat alone,
neas the window of meanly furnished
room in house on the suburbs of the city,
overlooking the Schuylkill. 1t was near the
hour of sunset. Gradually the day declined,
and the dusky shadows of evening fell
gloomily around. Still Mrs. Graham sat
leaning her head upon her hand, i'll deep ab-
straction of mind. Alas seven years had
wrought sad change in her appearance,
and sadder one in her feelings. Her deeply
sunken eye, and pale, thin face, told tale
of wretchedness and suffering, whose silent
appeal made the very heart ache. Her gar
ments, too, were old and faded, and antiquat-
ed in style. ..g .r
She sat thus for about half-an-hour, when
the door OF the room was opened slowly,
and young woman entered, carrying on
her arm small basket She seemed, at first
sight, not over twenty-three or four years of
age; but when observed more closely, her
hollow cheek, pale face, and anguid motions,
indicated the passage of either many more.
years over her head, or the painful inroads
of disease and sorrow Mrs Graham Jok-
ed up, but did not speak, as the soung
woman entered, and, after placing ner bas-
ket on table, laid aside her bonret and fad
ed shawl.
"How did you find ElIer to-day" she
at length said.
"Bad enough ~ was tie mourntul reply.
" 1t makes my heart a.he, Ma, whenever !
90 to see her'
s1Was her Husband at home -
ayes. and as drunk and ill-naurcd as
ever"
How is tn. babe, Mary ~
"N ot well Dear little innocent creature
it has seen ne light of this dreary world in
an evil tine. Ellen has scarcely any milk
for it; ard / could not get it to feed, try all
could 1t nestles in her breast, and frets
and cries almost necessarily, with pain and
hunger. Although it is now six weeks old,
yet ERen seems to have gained scarcely any
strength at all. She has no appetite, and
cresps about with the utmost difficulty. With
three little children hanging about her, and
me youngest that helpless babe, her condi-
ton is wretched indeed 1t would be bad |
enough, were her husband kind to her But
cross, drunken and idle, scarcely furnishing
his family with food enough to sustain ex-
istence, her life with him is one of painful
trial and suffering. Indeed, wonder, with
ber core;t;,o disposition and doI;cato ha,I,r