Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-07-07

throughout in style of unrivalled mag,
nlheenee, They had been fortunate in
their choice Of servants, and every thing
work.
When Percy became assured the last
dollar of his property had Aoated away
on the dreamy sea of speculation, he shut
himself up in his counting room, and
brooded over his situation in bitterness ol
spirit. 1t was true that his wife's ff1y
thousand dollars remained untouched
but it would be necessary for them to cur.
tail their expenses in every respect. The
house must be sold, a great part of the
costly furniture sacrificed, and Grace
whose personal and mental charms had
rendered her the brightest star in the We.
ry highest circle Of fashion, must descend
from her sphere. In the midst OF these
reflections and their attendant train ol
bitter fancics, some one raped at the
door. He unlocked it, and Mr.. Floyd,
his father-in-law, stood before him. Per-
cy started back, for he was so pale ms to
appear almost ghastly. Mr.. Floyd spoke
first,
al am" said he, ruined man. The
bank where l had placed my own and my
daughters property, has failed"
Then, dear sir, we can shake hands
together" and he briefly ex planned what
had happened himself. "But the worst
of alp said he in conclusion, " is TO come
yet. Poor Grace. she will be ovcrwhelm-
ed with affliction.'
Il should not wonder" said Mr..
Floyd, elf she does not bear it better
than either of us. Like the rock smiLteu
by the prophet, the wealth of many wo.
mans heart gushes forth most freely be-
meath the strokes Of adversely. Believe
me, Charles, Grace has many sterling
qualities, which, as yet, you have not
dreamed off,
While his thoughts thus fondly and
proudly turned to his daughter, the color
came back to his cheeks, and his eyes
were lit up with animation.
"The sooner she knows what has hap
pened, the better, l suppose" said Percy
taking his hat.
"Will you go with me, sir %
They proceeded to the house together
They paused at the threshold, for harI
notes, which yielded to light and skilfu
touch, mingled with liquid voice, stole
from the inner apartment.
Tears started from Percy's eyes. as he
said in low whisper, " How can turr
her songs of JOY into mourning ?"
1t will not do for us to linger here,
said Mr.. Floyd, and taking him by tho
arm, drew him towards the room.
Grace rose Mt their entrance, her face
beaming with one other own bright smiles
Percy grasped her hand convulsivcly
and the blood forsook his lips.
" You are i'll Charles" said she turn
ing pale herself "Do tell me what thu
matter is %
L cannot-do you"-and he looked
imploringly towards Mr.. Floyd,
A few words sufliced to make his daugh
ter comprehend what had happened.
L Pm glad it is nothing worse" sale
she calmly.
Il feared-I can hardly tell what
teared-but your appearance, Charles
greatly shocked me"
But you have not one tear to give tc
our fallen fortunes ?" said Percy with {
frightened countenancc.
=" Not now," she replied, 4" know no
why, but all this does not make me fec
half as miserable as l should imagine j
would, or, perhaps, it ought"
Thank heaven" said Percy, fervent
ly, the load is removed, that was bearing
down my energies and crushing me to thI
dust. And now sing us one of your favo
rite airs, and we will leave, for find tha
you not only need no comforter yourself
but that you are fully equal to the tasl
OF comforting others"
1t was apparent to her, their mode o
lille must be thoroughly and immediatcll
changed, and when they were about L
withdraw, she was on the point of ObserY
ing to her husband, that with his concur
renee, she would dismiss the female ser
wants that very afternoon, but upon Sc
cond thought, as she felt almost sure tha
he would insist on her retaining a part
she thought it best to make no allusiOn 4
the subject. Fortunately, the last diyi
dend from the bank remained untouched
Having requested their attendance in thu
parlOr, she explained TO them the necessi
tn of parting with them, paid them thei
wages and gave each a recommendation
which was well mcrited. AS good ser
wants are scarce, all in the course of tht
ensuing day, had provided themselyei
with places except one. This was a gr
of fourteen, and when, after tea, the other
disappeared TO their stations, that the!
might be ready to enter upon their new
duties in the morning, she sought he
mistress.
I" Margaret" said Grace. why arr
you not away with the rest ?"
al had rather remain, If you please,
replied the girl.
"Are you unable to find place tina
pleases you %
al have not tried to find one"
"That is wrong. AS / told you yes
terday, have NO longer the means Q