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


: As The wheels of time roll on, the poor of
to-day become rich tomorrow, and the
/. most wealthy end their days in poverty
Q and rags, None can falhom the future,
none can lifl the veil and penetrate the
secret recesses. Elkns, The husband OIL
Jane was Sc, up in business by his father.
He occupied one Of the best dry goods
stands in Middle street, and for while bel
had large run of business But he be-
came natlentive TO his affairs, and spent aI
large portion CT his time away from his
store. 1t was said he gambleG and one or
Two Of his friends had seen him disguised BY
Iiqour. Pursuing such course he could
no! long sustain himself and was obliged
10 fall. In settling his affairs, it wa, found
ha. he did not possess half enough 10 can
Gel his debts. Out of employment fo'
several months he IL igh! DO seen hanging
round the groceries, ill a. las. he removed
into the country, his father purchasing for
him a small farm,
Nelson prospetod. BY diligence and
prudence after few years, he gave up
saving wood, and entered into business
more congenial to his taste. BY slrt. at.
entlon 10 his concerns, he gradually ac-
cumulated properly and was considered
one Of the first merchants in Portland. In
his prosperity he did not forget he was
once poor. The saw and horse that he US.
ed so many years, were placed in cham.
Der of his house, tha, if ever he should
grow proud and treat others with unkind.
ness, he might take look at them and re-
member that he once was poor. No
money would have tempted him 10 par, with
them.
Mr.. Nelson had been in mercantile bu
siness for moro than a dozen years and
during ,hai time he hal not hGard a wore
respecting Ekins. One morning on ,aking
np the Advertiser, he read paragraph.
stating lba, one John EIkins had committed
some crime in North Yarmouth, and was
brought to the city and committed TO all to
,wai. his trial. That mus! be my old ac
Quaintance,' said Nelson. i will call to see
him.
In few days Mr.. Nelson went up to
| Jail and entered the cell OF Elkins, but he
vas so altered tha, he hardIyE knew
him. Tho marks Of inemperance were
prominent on his lace and in his tatered
iress. Without making himself known,
Nelson said:
Sir, have called 20 see some OF the
prisoners and have brough, you few
lhngs which perhaps, may be acCep's
IbIe.'
Il thank you for your Kindness said the
prisoner. Nelson made but little convelsa-
ron, and was about 10 leave when Ihe prison
er remarked:
DO not leave yet sir. | have been here
several days and you sre the first parson |
have seen, excepting The jaller and one or
Two prisoners.
You appear TO have suffered great deal
in your life time, if | may Judge from your
appearance.
'Ah, sir, hsve-I have-and a greal
deal Of ii is owing 10 intemperance and
gambling, In early life my prospects wer
bright, but ruined myself ty bad asso
ciates.'
Have you no friends living'
Very few. sir; my parents have bee
dead several years.
You have family presumed
Il had once. but whsre they now are
cannot tell. My wife left me on acsOuo
| of my habits and il is more than two year
since have seen her. understood ,hs
she was living with friend OF hers in Bib
deford. O, sir, never thought | should
come 10 this and the poor man put hlt
hands TO his face and wepL After mo
ment he contlnued-'I If there was any hope
or me, knOwl should be Different
man-but no, am too old IN sin
, ,degraded-have no friends
.II is never too late. my friend. 10 re-
FORM, said Nslsoo. when you again
have your liberty, if you are really deter
mined to be different man, you can yeI be
happy
Il Sir, who would employ a person o