The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-06-07

What change few years produce!--
As The wheels Of time roll on, the poor of
to-day become rich Tomorrow. and the
most wealthy end ,hsir days 10 poverty
and rags. None can fa,hom the future
none can lifs the vail and penetrate the
secret recesses. Elkins, the husband of
Jane was set up in business by his father.
He occupied one Of the best dry goods
stands in Middle street. and for while he
had large run Of business. Blu, he be-
came ina.teniive TO his affairs, and spen, al
large portion CT his ,ime away from his
store. l. was said he gamblet and one or
TWO Of his friends had seen him disguised BY
|'iqour. Pursuing ssch course he could
not long sustain himself Gnt was obliged
TO fall. In settling bis afrairs, i, was found
that he did not possess half enough to can
Gel his debts. Out of employ fo
several months he night be seen hanging
round the grogsries, till at last he removed
into the country. his father purchasing foI
him small farm,
Nelson Prospered. BY diligence and
prudence after few years, he gave up
saving wood, and entered into business
more congeniOi 10 his taste. BY stric, at.
'ention TO his concerns, he gradually &C
rumula!ed properly and was considered
one OF The first merchants in Portland. In
his prosperity he did no, forget he was
once poor. The saw and horse ,ha, he us.
ed SO many years. were placed in a cham.
Der Of his house, ,ha, il ever he should
grow proud and troa, others with unkind.
ness, he might take look at ,hem and re-.
member that he once was posr. No
money would have tempted him 10 PAL, with
Them.
Mr. nelson had been in mercantile bu
siness for more than dozen years and
during ,ha, time he had not heard a word
respecting Elkins. One morning on taking
up the Advertiser. he read q paragraph.
stating tina, one John Elkins had committed
some crime in North Yarmouth. and was
brought TO the city and committed to Jail to
,wai, his trial. That mus. be my old ac
quan,ance,' said Nelson. Il will call 10 see
him.
In a few days Mr.. Nelson went up 10
all and entered the cell OF Elkins, but he
was so altered that he hardlyE knew
him. The marks of inlempsrance were
prominen, on his face and in his ,at,ered
dress. Without making himself known,
Nelson said:
Sir, have called 20 see some OF the
prisoners and have brought you few
'hngs which perhaps. may be accepsa.
|ble.'
Il thank you for your Kindness said the
prisoner. Nelson made but little conveisa-
,ion,and was about to leave when the prison.
er remarked:
DO no, leave yet cir. have been here
several days and you are the frs, person l
have seen, excepting the jailer and one or
Two prisoners
You appear 10 have suffered great deal
in your life time, if l may judge from your
appearance
'Ah, sir, | hsve-I hsve-snd a great
deal Of it is owing 10 inlemperance end
gambling. In early life my prospects wer
bright, but I ruined myself by bad asso,
ciales
Have you no friends livingl'
Very few. sir; my parents have beer
dead several years.
You havs family, presumed
Il had once, bu. where they now are
cannot tell. My wife left me on account
of my habits and it is more than two year,
'ince have seen her. understood ,ha
'he was living with friend of hers in Bib
le(ord. o. sir, ! never though, | should
,ome to this and the poor man put his
,ands TO his face and wept After mo
nent he conlinued-'l IL there was any hopeI.
or me. | knOwl should be Different
no, | am too old 10 sim
legraded-h4ve no friends
III 10 never too late. my friend, 10 re.
orm, said Nelson. when you again
rave your liberty. If you are really deter
mined to be differen, nan, you can yel be
,annv'