The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1851-02-12

cf hah stuScs anu was far happier th1n
l ever expect to be again on this side
Of the grave"
Just then cry was heard in the
street.
|" Hark :" exclaimed Mr.. Aiken.
Fire! Fire. FIRE. The startling
sound rose clear and shrill upon the air.
Aiken sprung to the window and
threw it open.
"Mr. Freeman's new building. as I
live 20
Aiken dropped the window, and
catching up his hat. hurriedly left the
house.
Mrs. Akin shook her head.
Ii was an hour ere he returned.
Meanwhile, the FIRE ragged furiously,
and from her window, where she was
safe from harm, Mrs. Aiken saw the
large new factory, which the rich man
had just erected, entirely consumed
by the fierce desouring element. All
in vain was it that the intrepid firemen
wrought almost miracles Of daring, in
their efforts to save the building. Sto-
ry after story was successfully wrap
ped in flames, until, at length, over fif-
ty thousand dollars worth of property
lay heap Of black and smouldering
ruins.
Wet to the skin, and covered in Gin
ders, was MIR. Akin when he returned
to his humble abode, after having work
ed manfully, in his unsel6sh efforts to
rescue portion Of his neighbor's pro-
perty from destruction.
Poor Freeman. l pity him from my
yery heart" was his generous. sympa-
thizing exclamation as soon as he met
his wife.
"He is insured, il he noti" inquir-
ed Mrs. Aiken.
Partly. But evera full insurance
would be poor compensation for such
q loss. In less than two weeks this
new factory, with all its perfect and
beautiful machinery, would have been
in operation. The price Of goods il
now high, and Mr.. Freeman would have
cleared handsome sum Of money OF
the 6rst seasons product Of his mill
1t is a terrible disa phointment for him
never saw man SO much disturbed
| "Poor man! His sleep will not b,
so sound as yours t6hight. William"
Il {" Indeed It will not"
, "Nor, rich as he is, will he be a
happy as you tomorrow"
eff I were as he is," said Aiken, I"
would not fret myself to death for thil
loss. / would, rather, be thankful fo
the wealth still left in my possession.
/" No, William, the same spirit tina
makes you restless and discontente,
now, would be with you no matter hov
greatly improved might be your exter
nal condition. Mr.. Freeman was ono,
as poor as you are. Do you think hin
happier for his richest Does he enjoy
I, life moreF Has wealth brought a great
er freedom from caref Has it made
his sleep sweeter? Far, very far from
it. Riches have but increased the sour
ces Of discomfort"
"This is not necessary c0nse
quence. If MIR. Freeman turn a bless
ing into a curse. that is defect il
his particular case"
/ "And few, in this fallen and evi
world, are free from this same defect
/ William. Ii wealth were sought from
unselfish ends, then it would make it.
possessor happy. But how few so seel
riches. 1t is here, believe me, that tn,
evil lies"
/ Mrs. Aiken spoke earnestly, ant
something of the truth that was in he
mind, shed its beams upon the mind o
her husband.
"You remember" said she, smiling
/" the anecdote Of the rich man in New
York, who asked a person who gave ut
i terance to words of envy towards him
self" Would you." said he, /" take al
the care and anxiety attendant upol
the management Of my large estate ant
extensive business operations, merel,
for your, victuals and clothes?" No
indeed, | would not" was the quicl
answer. "Iget no more" said the ric
man, gravely. And it was the truti
William. They who get rich in thi
world, pass up through incessant to
and anxiety and, while they seem
enjoy all the good things Of life, in r.
ality enjoy but little. They get onl
their victuals and clothes. l hay
worked for many rich ladies' and d
not remember one who appeared to b
happier than am. And | am mist;
ken if your experience is not very muc
! like my own"
: A few days after this time, Aiken ran
home from his work one evening.
4 lie entered The room where his wife an
: children sat, they looked up TO hun vii
! cheer and smile OF welcome, aud the Ia
: ter gathered around him. filled his ca
s with the music of their happy voice
h The father drew an arm around one al
r another, and as he sat in their midst, h
e heart swelled in his bosom, and warmt
J. with glow of happiness.
= Soon the evening meal was served