The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-11-11
WHOLE NUMBER IS
was not able to pay fifty cents on dol

was not able to pay fifty cents on dol
lar.
Now" said the spiteful Sophia,
when she heard of the failure of the
concern, the Brownings have lost their
stock"
They have not lost their stock of
brains, nor the capital of experience at
the loom, nor the education they have
acquired, nor the good standing in
society,"" said Walter.
Nor their affectionate regard for
Robert Mortar and Walter Travers,"
said Sophia, sneeringly.
81 hope not" was the calm reply.
The busy mill wheel might cease to
perform its accustomed revolutions, and
the water might roll on in luxurious in
dolence without being compelled to turn
a crank f; but while machinery was
silent and still, and hungry creditors
were " like mosquitoes presenting their
bills," as though they were willing to
coin the blood of the det tors into dol
lars for themselves, the Brownings OBJ
tanned employment at school-teaching.
Month after month passed away almost
UNDECIDED by them, for they were now
in their element. They had plenty of
time for intellectual culture, and fine
opportunity to exercise in the open air
when they walked from their boarding
house to the school morning and eve-
ming.
Col Snowdon was completely ruined
by the failure. He had to sell his cha
teau, furniture, horses, carriages, village
lots and farm, in order to meet the de-
mands against him. But he was every
inch man, and instead of deploring his
fate, he resumed the practice of the law,
which he had relinquished years before.
His only daughter was well married and
his family was easily provided for. 1t
was ludicrous, and yet lamentable, to
see the vulgar, stupid Jarvises refuse to
recognise him in the street. His elo-
'quence, experience and reputation soon
enabled him to earn competency, so
that his last days were his best and hap
piest.
Efforts were made to induce the
Brownings to 60 to the West and teach
school, and they would have done so,
probably, had they not made prior en-
gagements to 60 with Walter Travers
and Robert Mortar to the village church,
where. they expected to meet the Rev.
Mr.. Goodenough, and be united in the
silken ties of matrimony.
1t was not known until the wedding
that Hannah and Susan had sold out .
their shares in the mill-business, several
months before the failure, so that they
lost nothing by the breakdown. At
the time when Sophia would not shake
hands with them, they camefrom Lowell
for the purpose of disposing of their
stock. The snug little sum which came
so Unexpectedly to the hands of their
husbands, was great help to them in
the way of business.
Sophia would not attend the wedding.
She continued to play the firt year after
year, coquetting first with one and then
another, without breaking or even win
ming heart. Her dear little feet, her
delicate hands, her shadowy hair, her
knowledge of music and of French,
and her ignorance of work were display
ed in vain. She however consoled her
self that she was better off than the Jar
vises, whose extravaganza had reduced
hem to such poverty, that they were
,lad to bind shoes for livlihood, and
i've in small cottage which they obtain
ID rent-free from Col. Snowdon, who
,ad paid all his debts, and was now
Using again to independence.
Years passed, and almost every body
supposed that Sophia would live and die
IN old maid and therefore the commu-
lity were not little surprised when it
vas announced that Sophia Travers had
married her brothers teamster.