The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-07-08

keeping in style of simple elegance, suited
to their standing and expectations, and dur
ing several years, enjoyed the sweets of con-
tented competence and reasonable prosperi-
| ~.
But reverses came. Loss followed loss,
and the wealthy house of Carroll and How
ard became insolvent Misfortune seemed
never weary of prosecuting them, and blow
followed blow, until Mr. Carroll found rest in
the grave-and Mr. Howard found lodging in
a small cottage, in the outskirts of the city,
lie soon found employment as n clerk, at u
small salary, and if Mrs. Howard had receiv-
ed domestic education, might have lived
comfortably. But her parents had fallen in
TO the fashionable error of modern education,
and, while they spared no pains in accom-
ptiShing their daughter, utterly neglected that
which renders woman good and valuable on
earth. The young ladies were taught to con-
ceal under the veil ofpoliteness every defect
of temper; 10 please, to dazzle, and to seek
admiration; but the virtues and graces that
constitute the wife and mother, and the do
nestle education which renders woman Gu
pablc of managing her house, were passed
by ms of no consequence, or avoided as de-
grading.
Mrs. Howard was therefore incapable of
performing the labors other household, g. so
the servants were all retained, consequently
while there were more mouths to feed, and
| less economy in the housekeeping there were
wages to be paid weekly.
Their eldest daughter, Alice, had been for
the last three years an inmate of the most
fashionable school in the vicinity, but now
she was forced to come home ana endenvor
TO turn her accomplishments TO account in
some way; the eldest son was removed from
the seminary and entered as errand boy in Il
store, and still Mr. Howard income did not
meet the expenses of his family, What was
to be done? His brothers had families oftheir
own, and were scattered over the far West,
from Prairie Du Chen TO New Orleans. He
could get no aid from any of them. The
CAROLS were all involved in the fall of their
house. What could lie do?
Ii was on Saturday evening, the weekly
bills were paid. but the balance was too small
TO purchase bread and tea for the Sabbath
aud the quarters rent would be due in few
days. Mrs. Howard crushed in health and
spirit lay sobbing on her husbands shoulder,
while her daughter Alice was vainly endeav-
oring to soolhe the infart which was crying
for the milk which neither the mothers bos-
ON nor the fathers hand could supply.
"My dear, poor wife, the miserable man
said at length, 'there is no use in our re-
manning here and struggling thus against
misfortune. j know there is a living for us
somewhere in the world. Ifyou are willing,
poor love, we will sell Our remaining furni-
ture, pay our landlord, and 60 West, into
some new settlement. The people in such
places are kind hearted aud free from pride;
we can get n cottage and garden spot for II
trlfing rent, can get some employment, you
and Alice can do Our house work, and if the
worst come, | know how to work on farm;
and can get employment as day laborer."
The wretched wife groaned, but she an
swered, awe will make the trial"
!. Mrs. Howard would not have been so ut
terly deserted in her adversely ifshe had been
less naughty in her palmy days, True, she
did not intend to assume false position, but
she actually believed, as she had beeu taught
that she was better than those who were a
grade below her father in point of weath,au
} those who were degraded by n necessity to
labor. she looked down upon as from an inn
measurable height. Surely they were not
of her species, and could have neither feeling
nor affection in common with her. Adversi-
/ ~ had not humbed her, and she still claimed
the homage which had been paid to her
= wealth and not to her. For how that the
golden orb of wealth no longer threw his
glorious radiance upon hershe found herself
male world. 1t was rank, and fashion, and
= dress, and snowy accomplishments, that had
constituted her charns these had forsaken
her and she was only an ordinary woman.
Mr. Howard gathered the poor remains OF
his utter wreck together, paid off conscien-
/ tiousy all demands against him, and with the
trife which remained to him, turned his face
westward.
Sickness among the children detained him
on the road and when he reached our settle
ment he was destitute. Leaving his family
at an inn, he walked out to seek shelter for
them. His appearance excited wonder, and
it must be added suspicious; however, he at
length succeeded in obtaining permission to
occupy for the present, Mr. Frost's old house;
which, although it answered his own family
, very well until by industry and economy he
, had been enabled to build better, was now
deemed by the family who left it scarcely a
| year previous, hardly habitable. But then
: Mr. Frost did not require any rent. If they
could live in it, they were welcome.
- But what were such fashionable people do
ing in that old house in our settlement
: Some thought that they were uufortunates
and some whispered that they were probably
: fugtives from justice.
Q These suspicious were strengthened by the
= conduct ofthe family, who seemed to shun al
e familiar intercourse with Their neighbors, ano
' as country people always have plenty of EN-
!, ployment for every hour, curiosity cannot be
4 largely INDUCED, and wonders are short lv
v ed among them so the Howards and thei
4 peculiar circumstances soon ceased TO be
topic ofconversation, or wondering specula
n ton But now, the circumstance ofthe los
bag of wheat brought them once more before
!, the community.
a But while the quilters at Mrs. Gray's were
n thus hazartling conjecture respecting them
4 how was the real state of affairs at floward's
: We will relate only what Aunt Sarah and he
:. COMPANION reported after visit of inquiry