Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-04-30
AsECpoTE OF MR.. WEBSTER.
DY 4 LADY WHO RESIDED IN TIE vIcINT-
TYoP Ills EARLY HOME.

TY OF HIS EARLY HOME
Mr.. Webster and my husband be
came acquainted in early life, and th'
friendship of youth extended to ripe
years. They were truly congenia
spirits, and sought each others society
as much as possible, But the care'
of business at length separated them
and for many years they seldom met
IMy husband settled down in this place
and Mr.. Webster went forth to battle
tfo5fr the right in the councils of the ma
Ition.
For some time we were greatly
prospered. A lucrative business
brought US wealth almost beyond our
hopes. Two children came like a
sunbeam to light up our happy home
with their joyous smiles, and to cheer
our spirits with theirinnocent prattle.
Those were happy days, and l love to
recall them. But, alas they were
soon covered with clouds of darkness
that even the eye of faith could hardly
penetrate.
Some of the firms in which my
husbands funds were placed became
involved, and our little all was swept
from our grasp. When he found tha,
every effort to recover it but plunged
him deeper into difficulty, he became
disheartened. Soon his health failed
and he was compelled to give up his
business entirely. He then sold the
shop and what else we could spare,
and with the avails paid every debt
except one. This was due to a friend
who chose to wait for his money rath-
er than take from US the cottage where
we lived, the only property we could
then call our own. But hardly was
the arrangement made when the gem
tleman died, leaving the note in the
hands of one who knew not how to
show mercy. He demanded imme.
dia,e payment, and we We're about to
sell our house when our Oldest child
was taken down with fever, and soon
left us, as we hope, for better world.
The same disease Frustrated my hus-
band, and when the physician told me
he must die, l felt that my cup of
sorrow was full. But no, l was mis-
taken. There was yet another drop
to be mingled in that cup of bitterness.
While husband yet fingered between
life and death, my daughter, the only
remaining child, was taken. sick also.
and after FIVE days suffering she too
left us, to Join her brotherin; the "spir-
| it land" r.
Do you ask how bore this second
bereavement l believe l had not
leisure to think of it. All my time,
all my attention was given to my hus.
band, who was slowly but surely 60
ing down to 1.-THE grave. I had even
forgotten the hard.hearted creditor.
But he did not forget. Inexorable as
death itself, he came at the appointed
time and demanded the money. 1
think he must have been intoxicated,
for | am sure no man in his sober
senses could have been so cruel. l
told him my husband was dying, but
he replied, "sorry, sorry to hear it,
He won't earn any more money, and
as you can't pay up, III just take the
house. You can live somewhere else
as you'll have no one to look after"
| interrupted his cruel remarks, and
thinking to move his feelings, l led
him to the room where lay the cold
form Of my child.
Vain hope! l might as well have
tried to move an iceberg. After much
entreaty, l obtained permission tore
main in the house while my loved one
lived, on condition that gave up the
furniture. This I promised, that |
might no more be troubled with his
loathsome presence.
The man left me, and I sank into
q chair, utterly overcome.at the pros
pect Of the desolation before me. A,
that moment heard ajrap at the door
| could not rise to obey the summons
l felt that my heart was breaking
But the door slowly opened, and Mr.
Webster stood before me. He hat
come home on a visit, and withou
knowing any thing Of our sorrows, HI
rode over to see and embrace his ear
lyfriend What was his surprise t.
find him thus! And when the stor,
Of ourtroubles had been told, whe,
he had assured himself that his LON
cherished friend had but a few hour
to- live, he sat down and wept. .
Then he askedto see the corpse Q
This little pet, who, when he last yisite
us, sat upon his knee and played vii,
his watch. As he rose to leave tn
bed, my husband said in whisper
"Fetch her to me, that l too may-loo
upon that sweet face once .nore.'
Il We placed the still beautiful fort
beside the bed, and standing near il
gave ourselves up to uncontrollabl
grief. When able to command hi
voice, Mr. Webster said, "Let u
pray;" and kneeling there, besid
the dying and the dead, ho prayed a
mona bnt 81 christian con nrny. Sur