Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-02-21
From the Columbian Magazine
The VASE Forethought.
By T. s. ARTHnP

Es
branches of industry" remarked wealthy
merchant, named Barlow, to his two daugh-
ters, the one sixteen, and the other between
seventeen and eighteen years Of age. "You
think yourselves too big for school; and | |
suppose you are. But you are Just at the
right agss toI acquiring and perfecting your
selves In some useful art, whereby, should
adversely come in after life, you may be able
10 sustain yourselves and those who may hap
pen to be dependent upon you"
Helen and Agnes looked at their father in
surprise. They did not understand him.
Il have long desired to talk with you, my
children, on this subject" he resumed, ''but
hardly knew how to introduce it, Had your
mother been living, she would have made
known my views and wishes before this time.
on think, doubtless, that because l am what
IS called rich, there is no reason why you
should qualify yourselves for the performance
OF useful services to others. But :hls is an
error. In the first place it is the duty OF eve
ry human being TO be engaged in some useful
employment; that is, some employment that
will benefit others. Society is bound togeth-
Ter by the chord of mutual benefits. And in
the second place, riches often take to them
selves wings. | have lived in this world for
nifty years, and have seen many great chan
geS In the social condition of those around
me. have seen those whose possessions
were more than double what mine are, stIip-
PED OF every thing, and thrown hel pless upon
the world. | have seen Young ladies, who
| had been most tenderly raised, reduced to the
necessity OF engaging in mental and laborious
eDPloyments, because rhry did not possess a
| thorough knowledge Of music, the languages,
or even Of millinery or dress-making. In the
lou oh
I terent aspect of things from what now exists
may be presented to you, my children. Is it
not the dictate of wisdom that would prompt
you to prepare for all possible mutations!"
| MIR. Barlow ceased speaking. His remarks
fell upon the ears of his daughters rather
harshy. The picture presented was not an
agreeable one. Never had they even dream
ed of the possibility he had suggested.
''4ou 90 not reply, my children" the ia
Their said after long silence. ''Have you no.
thing to say? You, Helen-do you not be-
Ieve that there is possibility of my losing
the property now possess?"
II suppose that there is possibility of it,
father" Helen replied. "But it is no doubt
d very remote one"
Il hope it is remote. But He who governs
:, all things for our real good can so override
events as to cause all possess in the world
to melt away from my hands, like snow
wreaths in the sunshine. You know Jane
Ashton, who sewed for you several weeks
ago, and who supports by her labor mother
far gone in decIine!"
RI Yes, sir.''
"Do you know her hstory?"
81 never heard it,
81 thought you had. But it is told in few
words. Mr.. Ashton. her father, and | com
menced business together in good times
We had not the vi gorous competition in t,ade
that now exists. In fact, the branch we were
> pursuing was nearly all in our own hands,
t The consequence was that both Of US soor
laid the foundation Of large fortunes. He &C
cumuated much faster than did, and became
much wealthier. You know the large hous
at the corner of - and -- street,"
''Tes, sir.'
That house was built by James father
In that house she was born and there she llv
ed until she was sixteen years Of age"
This communication at once awakened tn
interest of Helen and Agnes.
"Not Jane Ashton that sewed for us?" sal
the latter.
Eyes my daughter. Her father man
years ago began to go down. Strange
enough, failure, instead Of the usual success
attended nearly every transaction of his house
He lost money upon almost every adventure
Sometimes a ship, containing valuable cal
go, would be lost; and, on application to tn
underwriters for indemnification; it would b
found chat some lnfornality on the part of hi
supercafgo, or some direct violation of r
structlons by the captain, had vitiated hi
claim. Sometimes merchant would fai
and be indebted to him largely. Thus thing
went on, until poor Ashton was stripped {
every dollar. | never saw so rapid a dowr
fall, or one which seemed so little depender
upon want of prudence in the subject of i
Jane was his only daughter, and had bee
: raised with most devoted tenderness. Blu
although what is called we'll educated, ther
was no branch of her studies that had bee
pursued thoroughly enough to make her fit
instruct others. Her mind was not intellect,
al in Its cast; but rather disposed to find, in d.
mestic employments. a more congenal sphere
On the death of her father, which took plac
shortly after his final failure in business, h
1t widow aid child were left with scarcely
~ dollar in She world. They retired from tt
e. eyes Of nearly all with whom they had ont
We mingled, and sought, by the labor Of the
'' hands, to procure the means Of subsistence.
81 "Jane could sew neatly, and had taste
matters of dress; but she could not teach m
nc sic, or drawing. All her resources lay in h
=; :, needle. and this she commenced plying indu
~ triously. seconded by her mother. They we
~ alone and destitute, and they leaned nps
81 each other for support. After time Mr.
I'd Ashtor's health, always delicate, began
=; ~ show evident symptoms Of rapid decIensio
nv In few years she became so low that S
w. had 10 AVOID all excitement, even such as
nv tended the performance of the smallest nous
= hold duty. Every thing then devoved mp
nj Jane, and nobly, an told, has she done
ne duty toward that invalid mother, who has
.se one to depend upon but her selt-devoted chi
1al land now, my children, tnink-if Mr.. As
ton lost his property, may not lose mnel
|IfJane Ashton has been reduced to the nee,