Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-02-21

IS He has stood by me for some time, and
his causes me the keen anxietics | feel. In
a word, have deeply involved him. IfIgo,
ne mnst be dragged down inevitably. That
thought almost kills me-"
Heien clasped her hands together and ga
zed at her husband in mute surprise. But
she quickly recovered herself.
" Perhaps it is not SO bad as you fear.-
Perhaps all will come right in the end Wal
ter she said. Don't feel so distressed a.
bout it,
81 fear it will not all come right. Helen.
see but little hope of such a result"
"Does my father know of this danger1"
"Ies. have never concealed anything
from him. He knows it all.'
"How does it affect him?"
"He feels it deeply. But your farther is a
man OF strong mind, and full of hope. He
does not suffer it to distress him. Ifthe worst
comes to the worst, he says, we shall have
enough between US to pay off everything, and
start fair IN the world again."
" My father is man of noble mind" Mrs.
Coleman said, the tears gushing from her
eyes, at the thought Of his being reduced TO
poverty in his old age. "He bore prosperity
without pride, and he will bear adversely
without murmuring."
''Poverty. Helen Do not utter that dread
and through my agency! Oh, / cannot beat
the thought. it must not be. will make a.
ny sacrifice to save him.
''Do not SO deeply disturb yourself, my
son." said Mr.. Barlow himself, advancing at
that moment into the room. The servant had
admitted him, and he had entered the apart
ment where they were conversing, at the mo-
ment when Mr.. Coleman uttered the sentence
just recorded.
ooh, my father!'' exclaimed Helen, spring.
ing towards him and throwing herself into his
arms.
"My children,'' the old man said, as soon
as his daughters emotion had, in a degree,
subsidized, and they were seated" do not
grieve yourselves about events the occurrence
of which even the prudent foresight of an hon.
est mind has not been able to prevent. I
know that Walter has devoted himself with
diligence 10 his business, and has been guided
by honest purposes in pursuing it. The re-
suit threatens to be fatally disastrous to both
of US. But let the worst come to the worst.
and what then? trust, my children, that we
all have something within that no external
reverses can take from us l trnst that we
can bear adversely as well as prosperity. For
one, am prepared for the trial."
All that passed between the father and his
children need not be told. But nothing that
, he could say had power to take from the heart
f of Mr.. and Mrs. Coleman the acute pang
which the prospect ofhs ruin occasoned
e Not many months passed before the shock
: came. 1t proved too much for both merchants.
r Large as we've their resources, they were not
large enough for the emergency. The extern
], sive losses sustained by Coleman in very
: heavy business, most Of which was in the
South and West, at time when commercial
II
r our whole country, consumed all that both
J himself and father-in-Iaw possessed. The tri-
al through which both passed was very Sc
= we're one; and doubly severe from the fact that,
d owing to the universal depression Of trade,
there was bu: little hope Of either being able
r to recover himself.
e During the descending process, Mrs. Cole.
n mans mind, instead Of sinking into despond-
: ing inactlon, began to quicken into more than
o its usual vigor. She felt that she had resour.
}. ces in herself, which under this new aspect oil
,. affairs might prove Of invaluable service both
i to her husband and father; and her resolution
r. was fixed to make these resources available il
It necessary. And time soon showed her that
q if she had any power to act that power would
j. be invaluable. Mr.. Barlow was stripped oil
everything. Mr.. Coleman came out of his
n business in similar condition.
ndUK Zoo, was INC nome eNCaIn3tlOr
T ofthe old man-.''no one is the loser By u.s.
t. We have clean hands and clean conscienccs,
IS my son. For these let US be devoutIy thank
y full"
% s'Were only thrown down to the earth
> could feel thankful; but | cannot rest under
the thought that | have dragged you dowr
Y with me-
| will hear no more Of this, Waltrr.' Mr.
v Barlow said in a qaick voice. lyon have
% not dragged me down. You had 10 power t
n do that-the power that humbled me is far 4
,e bove.'
This silencod the son-in-law, but did no
= take from him a single painful thought or feel
IT ing.
After the settlement of both these gentle
r. mems estates, by competent trustees appoint
Il cd for the purpose, 4 committee of gentlemen
~ waited upon Mrs. Coleman, and rendered her
r. in the name Of her husbands creditors, III
IS beautiful house in which she still lived wit
ID her husband and family. But in little Will
h. she grew serions and said
e. ''This house is worth twenty thousand dol
i, lars. Is there surplus of that amount afte
all nv husbands debts are paid!''
~ There was no immediate answer to thi
question.
=, "Iet me know the truth, gen lemen," Mrs
IF There is no surplus, madam was replied
'But your husbands creditors are his friends
-, They cannot rob his family of their home"
lot "Let all go. My husbands family hoh1
~ him because of his integrity. They wi
retain nothing unjnstly."
"Our instructions are positive" returne
ed the individual who had spoken. {. We hav
eP no discretion in the matter. There" and h
threw paper on the table, sis the title dee
- conveying to you this property. 1t will nj
"a be recalled. Therefore you must retain it,
We c.r,o+ s,a ill ~. go :. MT "a "a .ouo,o
trial. This house. and all it contains, a,