Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-10-16

w 9lldtl HOW tCAuIuy q lew HlOll4SllAS " ttiS
cottage. In the thunder storm which We have
mentioned, the cottage of Mrs. Thompson was
struck by lightning, and in q moment was in a
oaze, and the sonof Mrs. Thompson was struck
and knocked down for dead, few steps from the
door, without, as he was listening 10 the reports of
the muskets in the woods. The mother and
daughter rushed shreking from the house and
the tlrsI object which arrested their attention, was
the son and the brother lying liieless on the
ground. In this sight they lost all thoughts of
trying to eXtinguish the flames, and the cottage
was consumed with allis contens-no great loss,
to be sure, but in their situation a most affecting
one. No tongue nor pom can describe the heart
rending agonies Of the mother and daughter--Ihe
night was dark-the rain poured down in torrents
the house was demolished-they had no shell
ter--they were twomiles from the village, or any
other habtaton that would afford them any shell
ter, and the boy was still lieless, though not stiff
and cold.
| In this dreadful dilemma they concluded TO fly
for the village, dcarry the dead body with them
But they had not proceeded far before their
strength was exhausted, and they were obliged to
stop. Resting awhile, they took him up again,
and after going few rods were again compelled
TO halt. In this situation, what was to be done!
The boy appeared tobe warm, and might possibly
be recovered with medical aid Finally it was
concluded that one or the other should go to the
village. Sophia went and left her mother She
arrived at the village, and went TO the house of a
benevolent physician, awoke him from his sleep,
and in few pathetic words informed him of their
dreadful calamities. He called his servants, had
his horses Immediately harnessed TO a covered
wagon, took lantern a servant and Sophia into
the carriage, not forgetting his medical apparatus,
and made all speed to the scene of distress. He
found the boy with some faint symptoms of life,
and by the application of the lancet and other
means he soon began to breathe. By day break
they got him 10 the village and they were landed
at the Inn where the stranger was detained as Q
robber.
Here we shall leave them for a short time ant
pay our respects TO the unfortunate husband anc
parent of this unfortunate and afflicted family.
Mr.. Thompson was one of those hapless be-
ings who possess a noble, generous, and feeling
heart-a keen sensbty, ,and Of course, warm at
tachments and strong antipathies-his natura
genius was by no means contemplate, and al
though he had received what might be called I
liberal education, yet he had not studied any o
the learned professions, and had not in his you'll
been accustomed in any regular business. IL
had, however, served as clerk in respectable
: counting house for few months, and havin
some capital, though small, and being in goo
credit, he embarked in the mercantile business
married an amiable and accomplished wife, tn
i daughter Of broken down gentleman, and for
t number Of years, acquired properly, and what
more valuable, acquired the reputation Of an hon
u est, intelligent, and humane citizen. But meet
: ing with some losses by fire, and having endor;
ed largely for his friends, fortune began to loo
d sour at him. His friends became insolvent-h
was called upon, and finally had to stop paymen
o His creditors thronged around him "like raven
e ing wolves" Miseraby calculated to sustain tn
shocks Of adversely, he was driven almost TO tn
j. vortex of desperahon; and hoightenh his caam
y tiles, the yellow fever entered his dwelling an
10 tore from his fond and frantic bosom, three OF hl
e beloved offspring, two sons and daughter.
He, however, after long and painful struggle
4 succeeded in efecting what was deemed an hor
'r orabe compromise with his creditors, to whoE
a. he had given his name as security for his friends
g and his other creditors accepted what ne couI
a. spare without distressing his family, and agree
to wait with him for the residue Of their debts, III
IN Ill he could retrieve his his losses in sonno mea
at ure and conveniently pay their demands.
For this purpose they advised him to renoV