The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-05-23


of Job
In a few minutes, the company had re-
tired, when Sarah remarked to William
Il was as.onished at the impudence Of
Elkins, but more so 10 see how calmly
you bore it,
Never mind, John has a lesson TO learn
yet in life, and the day may come when
he will bitterly regret his course. He is
not worth mindng.'
On the morning of the next day, Will
liam went early 10 the store Of Mr.. Fos-
die, the gentleman with whom Elkins
was clerk, sawed his wood, and received!
the pay. He observed, however, as he
occasionally saw John and the other clerk =,
thai, no little sport was made of him, all
of which he bore with his magnanmous
spirit.
In process Of time Sarah Richards be-
came the wife Of William Nelson, and
Jane Waters the wife of John EIkns.
Sarah's was simple wedding, with a
lew friends TO witness the ceremony, and
she commenced housed keeping with bat
little furniture in a small dwelling. which
her husband had Bought. having laid by
enough in few years from his ahorious
business. But Jane made great dis
play on her wedding day, and hired a
large tenement and had it filled with the
best of furniture.
What changes a lew years produce.
As the wheels of time roll on, the poor
of to-day become rich tomorrow, and the
most wealthy end their days in poverty
and rags. None can fathom the future !;
none can lift the veil and penetrate the
secret recesses. Elkins, the husband of
Jane, was set up in business by his faith
er. He occupied one of the best Dry
Goods stands in Middle Street, and for a
while had large run of business. But
he became inaltentivc to his affairs, and
spent large portion of his time away
from his store. Ii was said he gambled
and one or two Of his friends had seen
him disguised by liquor. Pursuing such
IL
self and was obliged to fail. In settling
his affairs, il was found that he did not
possess half enough TO cancel his debts.
Out Of employment, for several months
he nigh, be seen hanging round the grog-
cries, till at last he removed into the
country. his father purchasing for him a
small farm.
Nelson 2rospercd. BY diligence and
prudence after a few years, he gave up
saving wood, and entered into business
more congenial to his taste. BY strict al
lenlon to his concerns. he gradually ac'
cumua'cd property and was considered
one oGthe first merchants in Portland. In
his prosperity he did no, forget that he
f was once poor. The saw and horse that
he used so many years. were placed IN
chamber of his house, that if ever he
should grow proud and treat others viii
unkindness, lie might take look at them
, and remember what he once was. Nc
money would have tempted him 10 par
! with them.
Mr.. Nelson had been in mercantile bu
sincss for more than dozen years ant
during that time had not heard Wort
respecting Elkins. One morning on Ia
king up the Advertiser, he read para
4 graph. stating that one John Elklns ha'
committed some crime in North Yarmouth
and was brought to the city and commit
ted to Jail to await his trial. That mus
q he my old acquaintance said Nelson, =
o will call To see him.
r In few days Mr.. Nelson went up II
the Jail and entered the cell OF Elklns
- But he was so altered shat he hardly kne'
HIM. The marks Of intempcrance wer
!, prominen, on his face and in his ialtere
4 dress. Without making himself known
Nelson said
i, Sir, have called to sec some Of tn
prisoners and have brought you leN
things which, perhapc, may be accepia
ble.
y THANK you FOR your kindness, sal
the prisoner. Nelson made but llltl
u conversation, and was about to leav
!. when the prisoner remarked:
Don't leave yet. sir. have Sec
y here several days and you are the frs
= person have seen. excepting the Jallo
and one or two prisoners
q You appear TO have suffered grei
!. deal in your life time, if | may Judge lroI
l. your appearance.
II .Ah, sir, havc-I havc-and grei
!, deal Of i, is owing to intemperance an
;. gambling. In early life my prospect
II were bright, bur ruined myseli'by ba
o associates.
h 'Ilave you no friends living I
b VERY few sir; my parents have bee
J. dead several years