Eastern times., 1850-11-07

ness, and strong manifestations of interest. his
father began to listen.
There Is one natter said he at last. that
needs looking into. l am not satisfied with the
assignment of a certain creditor; and if YOU
Will take the matter in hand, perhaps you can
save thousand or two dollars. And. even
that small sum will be something now.'
Moved by better impulse, Edward prosecu-
ted with an intelligence that surprised his father,
Inquiries into every particular of the case, sub
mitted to his investigation, and he was not lono
In discovering that the assignment was fraudu-
lent and would have to be broken. In the sec.
ond arrangement, his father would be benefit
ted at least from three to four thousand dol
lars.
The success of his first attempt gave his
heart new energy, and encouraged his father
to submit to his legal eyes, other transactions,
and to place into his hands for prosecution,
large amount of claims, abandoned as hopeless.
Two years of vigorous application to the busi-
ness of his father, in which the native abilities
OF the young man were daily developing, and
in which he was almost constantly before the
courts, resulted in the reserve of over twenty
thousand dollars from the wreck, that would in
evitably have been lost. And, better than all,
these two years of close application, fixed the
young mans destiny as useful citizen for life,
thus saving him from a vortex of ruin, into
which he must inevitably have fallen. When
he had finished prosecuting the last case of his
father, he found himself with other cases on
hand, and prospect Of gradually increasing
and profitable business. The false friends of
his days Of sunshine had left him like leaves
falling away in the autumn, and new associates,
another and higher direction.
Thus it was with the son. This had been
the saving effect of adverse circumstances. As
for Grace-when the bitterness of her first grief
at loss of her lover had left her eyes with a
clearer vision, she saw the young mans char
acter in new light, and with a subdued, vet
aching heart, looked up and was thankful.
Nor had Mr.. Palmer passed through two
years Of severe trial without marking the effect
on his children nor without some changes in
his own views of Providence. He was again
In business, though it was moderate one
the returns only sufficient to meet greatly re-
duced style of living. But he was no longer
murmerer at the course of events; and he no
longer felt like charging upon Heaven viola
tion of its contract. One evening, while sit
ting with his family; he made some remarks
upon the calamities he had sustained
But for them,' said Edward, 'calamities of
worse nature, | fear, would have visited us
In my own case, ruin would have been almost
inevitable. had become surrounded with idle
and vicious companions, who would have led
me away into debasing evils. The necessity
for exertion saved me. And do you know that
Eldridge, to whom Grace was about being be.
trothed, has this day been detected in crime that
will, in all probability, send him TO state prison
for years. How we have escaped.
Mr.. Palmer loved Grace with more than CON-
mon tenderness, which had gained strength
since his misfortunes; for, pressure upon this
household flower, had made its perfume much
sweeter.
| 'Oh such an escaper he half murmured
to himself, as his eyes glanced involuntarily
upward. There was more genuine feeling
of thankfnlness in his heart than he had known
for years. Any evil, he felt, was light, COM
pared TO the ruin of his son, and the destruc-
tion of his daughters happiness. The ruin Of
a fortune might be repaired but for the ruin
of soul-the crushing of heart-there is ne
remedy.
After long absence from church, Mr.. Pal.
mer again appeared in the congregation his
countenance was more subdued; yet his piou,
observance was far from being as ostentatiou.
as before. When Mr.. Orville visited him
which he did soon after his temperance a,
church, he found him in far different state o
mind than at their last interview.
his brief allusion to the past. The loss o.
wealth was great good instead Of a grea
evil. The bargain with heaven was all of my
making, and that it did not hold good is no cause
of wonder. Spiritually, it was doing me q
great injury; and the effect of wealth upon my
children was about being Of the most disas
trous character, Heaven, in its own good time
rebuked and corrected me. 1t is all for the
best. l can understand now how the Divine
Providence regards spiritual and not natura
ends in its dealings with men. This was onct
to me strange doctrine, but see it now IL
manifest light. Yes, let me repeat, it was al
for the best