The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-04-02

pay Albright his thousand dollars and settle all
court charges and officers fees. But il was at
a serious waste of property.
There remained but one thing for poor Blake
to do after this, and that was TO give up what
remained into the hands of his creditors, and
begin the world again upon nothing. While
this closing up of his affairs was going on, ne
happened to meet Albright, when he addressed
him in the rcbuking language with which our
story opens.
Mr.. Albright was not really hard, grasPing
man, utterly Indifferent to others. tie had
adopted rigid proceedings, partly from the be-
le that his debtor did not mean to settle his ac-
count if he could he p it, and partially inhuenc.
ed by his feelings. Had Blake asked little
Eorbearance-had he stated his inability TO pay
for one, or two, or even six monlhs-no thought
of legal resort would have entered the mind
of Albright; but to have his application for the
account due him treated with Indifference and
insult, was rather more than he was willing,
tamely, to bear. And it must also be said, in
justice to The creditor, that. had he known the
condition of Blake affairs, he would have been
very far from mo!esing him, even under the ag.
grayatins circumstances that existed. Such
consequence as the destruction Of his business
he had not calculated In fact, he had not re.
flected very closely upon the result to his debt
or; being too intent on settling the matter in
the quickest way possible under the influence
of Il fielted and indignant state of mind, arising
from the unjustifable manner in which Blake
had treated bis applications for money.
The words ofthe unhappy man, uttered with
enrpriunb boIor ril lod al nI dpen.
| ly panied the individual who had caused his bu.
siness to fall in ruins upon his head. He went
home 10 his luxurious and comfortable dwelling
that night but as his innocent and happy
children gathered around him, he thought only
of the dcsolale hearth of the man against whom
he had recovered a thousand dollars, and of his
wife and little ones turned out of their pleasant
home!s Every happy word, every loving smile,
every gay burst ofaugher, rebuked him. AS
ealy as he could, he retired from the presence
of his family, to muse alone over the error he
had committed, and 10 determine upon some
scheme of reparalion.
After Blake had enjoyed the satisfaction of
telling Albright piece Of his mind-a singular
kind Of enjoyment-he went home to his fami.
Iy. He had several children. The two elder
were daughters, and had nearly arrived at the
aye of womanbood. His wife, who was in very
delicate health, was imid, shrinking, nervous
woman, to whom almost every breath that pass.
cd was shock. Thus far he had kept his mis-
fortunes to himself. He had feared TO speak Of
them at home, for he knew, too well, that his
wife would sink under the intelligence. and,
perhaps, become seriously i'll. But every thing
was coming to crisis. His business was near.
ly closed up, and. in very little while, it would
be necessary 10 give up their comfortable home,
fall hack from their social position, and become
familiar with privation in many distressing
forms. No time was, therefore, to be lost His
family must know The truth he had been so
careful to conceal from them. Ii was his duty
to speak plainly.
On arriving at home, he found his wife in
one of her low. nervous spells. Something had
occurred to drprcss her spirits. 4 shadow. was,
therefore, over his family, and he could not think
Of making it deeper.
"Ah !' he sighed, gloomiIy, TO HIMSELF " the
sad truth must soon lie iold--and what, what
will be its effects trcmhle to think oflhcm!
Cruel, hcarless wretch !" he thought Of Al.
bright. "Oh that you could but feel as do
| Tue consequences VI } oH' "" "It
Not once did it occur to Blake, tha, he was
more to blame fpr these consequences than the
credtur who had forced him into cx,rrmilies.
Tie did no, think oflhc Provucalion he had giv-
| Ell.
On the next morning, Mrs. Blake continued
low in spirils and her husband went off to his
store in a state of mind but little better. This
was to he his las, day in The cid place of bnsi.
ness. On the morrow, he would he adrf,
wll,uul hundred dollars in bis pocket. and no
certain means Of supporting his family within
his reach. It would he impossible 10 conceal
his affairs much longer, for important changes
must he made in the household economy.
Gloomy and restless sat the unhappy man al
desk, making up an account, when the shadow
of some one who had entered the store, and
walked back TO where he was without being
noticed, fell across the paper on which he was
writing. He looked mp quickly, and there stood
Mr.. Albright. Instantly the brow of Blake
fell, and both eyes and cnuntenance assumed an
expression Of anger and stern dislike.
Well, sir 2" he SAID sharply.
Mr.. Blake" said the individual who had call.
ed, speaking IN a calm voice, "angry words
never do any good 5"
"IIave you come to heap insult upon injury
sir?" quickly retor'ed Blake
No." was replied in the same calm way,
shut to talk with you as a reasonable man."
Reason! Talk reason 10 a criminal on the
rack-lo a slave under the lash, Mr.. Alrighl1'