Eastern times., 1850-11-07

for prosperity during period of nearly twen-
five years 1t was terrible shock, and, for a
short time, his mind was PROSTATE under it,
But, he had still large possessions left, and
aroused himself to struggle for their reten-
sion.
But he struggled in an unequal contest
There were fearful odds against him. What
he had supposed to be rock under his feet,
proved, now, to be heap of loose smooth
stones, that yielded, turned, and fell away the
more he strove to stand erect and firm. Shock
after shock came, loss after loss was sustained
every new disaster in the commercial world
had greater or less injurious effect upon the
merchant, until, in the end, his name was among
those dishonored on Change.
From the day of his conversation with the
minister, Mr.. Palmer had not been to church.
When Sunday morning came, he was in no
state for attending worship. Business ankle
ties on the one hand, anG distrust of heaven on
the other, brought his mind into spiritual dark
ness. There was, besides, latent feeling of
Indignation in his heart, as if he had been un-
fairly treated. This increased to something
like anger, when the shock of the disaster
smote him. Observing his absence from church
Mr. Orville called to see him once or twice,
but found him in a state of mind so adverse to
religious impressions, that he did not attempt
anything more than conversation on general
subjects. When, however, he learned the f.
nal disaster, he felt it to be his duty to visit,
and offer such sustaining advice as it might be
In his power to give. On entering the house
of the merchant, he found him sunk in almost
helpless despondency. His property had near
ly all passed from his hands, Little beyond
the dwelling in which he lived remained of over
two hundred thousand dollars
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away,
said Mr. Orville, when allusion was made to
the sad reverse the merchant had sustained.
A silent, but impressive and indignant reiec-
tion of the sentiment was given by Mr. Palmer
There was no resignation in his heart
Think my BROTHER resumed the minister,
after pause, of the words of him who spake
as never man spake, when he said not even a
sparrow falls to the ground unnoticed;' > and
then added, 'ye are of more value than manv
sparrows.''
bitterly.
| Hundreds of others are involved in like ru-
in, replied the minister. Are YOU any bette,
than they,'
10 this there was no answer. Mr.. Palme,
felt that he was better than the mass around
him. Had he not given away over forty thou.
sand dollars of his substance in public charity
Who was there who could say as much, And
this was his reward Let me get hold of nv
money again, he said in his heart, and see if
don't take care of it Give me back nv forty
thousand dollars, and III snap my finger at the
world!'
1t was in vain that Mr.. Orvile sought to
make an impression on his mind. The time
had not yet come for pnrifcation from dross, al
though the crucible was in the fire.
| Mr.. Palmer had son, now in his twenty.
fifth year, who had been literally educated. -
But, the fact that his father was wealthy, left
his mind without stimulent to use rightly the
fine abilities he possessed. He had, more 70,
the name of the thing than with view to its
practice, studied law, and been admitted to the
bar. But, though two years had passed since
he took an office, and made show of attending
to business, he was yet briefess lawyer; and
at his own door lay the fault With nothing
to DO and plenty of money to spend, Edwin
Palmer was in dangerous position far more
dangerous than his father imagined. There
are plenty of young men to lead away into evi
habits fine, generous young fellow like him
self, who had usually well-lined pocket-book
and time enough for all purposes on hi.
hands.
The Oldest daughter of Mr. Palmer was like
wise, in most critical position. A singl,
step, and wretchedness for life would be he
dover. A young man who had neither con
science, sincerity, nor love for any object out o
himself, had succeeded in gaining her affec
tions. He was connected with wealthy fam
lily, and had some property Of his own right
with large expectations from an uncle Hi.
advances had been well received by the family
and an engagement was about being made, wher
the storm broke with terrific fury over the heat
of the astonished merchant.
|
To both Edward and Grace Palmer, the mis-
fortunes of their father came with severe per
sonal shock. The one was thrown upon hi.
own resources, to struggle for self sustenance
and the other was deserted by her lover, upor
whom her heart had lavished it's best affec
tions.
In the breast of Edward Palmer there wer,
many good impulses, that only needed prope
stimulent to nurse them into activity If h,
mingled too often with the idle and vicious, i
was not so much from naturally perverse in
clination, as the result of circumstances. Whel
the sad reverses came which reduced his fami
ly from wealth to comparative poverty, an,
when he saw the depressions and suffering O
his father, he felt inspired by generous desir
to aid him in all possible ways. But, he ha'
not single case in court. In thinking ear
nestly over the matter, it occurred to him that
in the breaking up of his fathers business, an,
the loss Of heavy amounts, by other failures
much might be saved if the right legal meas
ures were adopted, and pressed through witt