Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-11-09
CAMDEN SOUTH AROLINA, NOVEMBER 8, 1882

prove of infinite service in perfecting the charac-
ter for the life that now is, and that which is to
come. What must be the inevitable result?-
We need not deal in suppostions, for living ex-
ampes a!e all about us. One that is presented,
willie writing the above, accords with the many
with which facts Of frequent occurrence have
| made lis familiar.
\ young lady had just called desiring an III
tcrvew, with whose circumstances we had been
made partially acquainted by benevolent gen
tieman who had received from her note, from
which we will quote an extract:
4 have not had anything to do for the last ten
days, and not having any employment has left
lis very destitute indeed. Were to state par
ticulars You would hardly credit mc--and in
this land Of plenty we might die if l would not
tell dcsttution. Surely it is not for the sins
of my father that | am thus in want, for he did
great deal of good in his country, and to be
honest with the world left his children beggars.
A very little would support my mother, sister,
and myself, could we get work to do-work that
the lowest peasant girl can get to do. If Mr.
could get ne some employment for a few hours
each day, it would be such relief to my mind.
| have felt for the last few days in state of des
pondency, to see two or three Of US, solitary Pio-
testants, so friendess and desolate. If you do
not do something for us this week, am at
loss what course TO take 1t is hard to write
thus to n gentleman, but it is because you have
a Christian heart that do so. have had my
feelings wounded many times since l came to
America. Although poor, have feelings and
good principles. l wish for some honest way of
living T.
If we may Judge from appearances, the writer
of the above is truthful and deserving, and the
occasion of her almost desparing state of mind
lies chiefly in her want of the practical knowledge
necessary to success in occupations to which she
has been quite accustomed. She says, at one
time her father owned twenty-five buildings, and
never thought Of his family coming to want.
The mothers parents had reared her in entire ig-
norance of any useful or remunerative pursuit,
and at her present age, of refined feelings and
habits, she had 10 reliance but her poor children.
The above note exhibits the feelings and wants
of many worthy daughters Of poverty, who once
enjoyed all the comforts and luxuries Of life.
Could their parents behold their present wrctched.
ness, and then be permitted to take them back
ward on The track of Time, and refrain them for
lfe's uncertain destines surely they would not
again send them forth upon the world so utterly
unprepared for trials and rcversos surely, they
would not speak contemptuously of any honest
calling, however humble, nor deem it beneath
them to have their children skilled, by faithful
teaching and early practice, in any art that would
raise them above want and bring an honorable
independence.
Said widowed mother, who sought our coun-
sci but yesterday, i havesx children, the young
est four weeks old-born two weeks after its
fathers death. We are left with nothing but
have trade, and think can supply our wants
by my needle, till the children can work and help
Themselves This mother settled in life with fair
prospects, but what could husband and father
do to maintain a family when his health failed ?
What when means were expended and death ap-
proaching and without u trade, some sure mode
of set.support-what can bercaved mother do
to save her beloved children from beggary? Life
has often many untried phases for those who
know nothing of early sorrow. Ponder them
deeply, We who are parents, and see to it that ye
lay as good a foundation for the future, as for
the present happiness of your loved ones.
Saturday Ga=ette.