Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-11-23

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Mary Wilson was an only child. He
parents were exceedingly wealthy, and
though possessing extended landed es
tates, they were as parsimonious il
thoarding up riches as If they were
only in moderate circumstances. Mr.
Wilson was rather aristocratic in hi:
manners, yet. in many respects he wa,
quite liberal to those who were not Sc
fortunate as himself in accumulatina
property. He was gentleman of greai
influence, around whom gathered the
ellie of Cincinnati--whose favor was
courted and sought by the wealthy and
great. In his earlier days Mr.. Wilson
had laid out the rules which were to
govern him through the world, and in
whatever circumstances in life, he re.
solved to abide by the course he had
adopted for his guidance. He had re-
tired from the active capacity of bust.
ness man, and yet whenever he found
an opportunity for specializing, he was
just the man to engage in it
About the time our story commences,
the fever of speculation in the Western
States ragged to a marvellous extent
The excitement was great, and many
had invested their whole pstrimony in
the speculation, with the ardent assur-
snce that they would become immensely
wealthy. But, alasi their expectations
were but castles in the air. for the ex-
element soon subsided, and those who
had invested their all in purchasing land,
now found, TO their astonishment, that
they had lost all they possessed. Many
who were independent one day, and had
the brightest anticipations of the future,
the next were penuiless and destitute,
not knowing where or how to procure a
sustenance for their families.
Among the most unfortunate in this
respect was Mr.. Wilson. He had in
vested all-even to the last dollar of
his immediate possessions; he had
bought lands at exhorbitant price; but
he was perfectly satisfied that in the
speculations he would ahis thous-
ands. His wife an fa,pon-
strated against his in
to the meshes of the Esht, and
of involving himself to so gfeat an ex-
tent; but was too deeply resolved upon
making money to pay the least regard
to their remonstrances.
He indorset largely for others, and
lost in the agitation which ex-
listed. Speculation was the all absorb !
ing topic-with him it was a sort of
magic, which usurped his entire
thoughts and, to a great degree, re-
strained his manly virtues. But soon
his dreams and anticipations received a
relapse, the effect of which had Sc
rious impression upon his feelings. The
day of speculation had passed, and the
entire capital which he had invested was
gone! He had lost all he was reduced
TO power u Many others shared the
same fate. Wealthy citizens were strip
ped of all their property; many of
whom, who had not lost all in specula-
ting. were sufferers from the evil conse-
quences of indorsing for others. In
short. depression of business ensued
seldom witnessed in commercial city
Reduced to want. Mr.. Wilson'S am
bition was gone! His pride preventing
him from engaging in any ordinary
business; and his constitution too feeble
or manual labor. he felt keenly sensible
'f the unplesantness of his situatiou.-
He knew not what TO do! His splendid
home of his childhood,
whose hallowed associations filled his
leart with happin=ss-had been given !
Up. to satisfy the demands of the law;
lis furniture was sold; and still unliqui- ,
lated claims pressed daily and heavily
lpon him for payment. Friends, wEo.
n the days of his prosperity, focked to
lis hospiiable board, now Stunned him
IS one whom they regarded as their in
erior, both in point of wealth and re-
pectability. Mr.. Wilson observed the
.haage with the keenest sense of injus-
ice. and now felt how painful it was to
,e thought inferior to his fellow man.
Mary was a girl Of uncommon pre-
entions. whose amiable disposition and
,eau,y had attracted to her side host I
f admirers, who, in their prosperous |
lays. sought to rival esch o;her for her |
Iand; among whom were Charles Tom ,
inson, the son of wealthy merchant {
f Cincinnati. Charles was young !
nan of rare talents. progressing de- :
'ortment. and afiable disposition. He {
'ossessed all the qualities of noble, I
,enerous-hearted man; but, notwith- {
tanding the purity of his daily walk q
nd conversation" he had imbibed c
many vague sentiments in regard to the d
bible and the precepts taught in that t
oily book. Mary observed this, and '
elt panied to see so much talent wasted c
n useless attempts 10 prove the Bible s
alse; but vet she loved him. Their at @
achment daily grew stronger until they !
we're betro,hed. and the day appointed
or the consummstion of their vows Z
3efore. however. the time for their mar. g
1age arrived. Mr.. Wilson's misfortune '
'an1e, the tendency'of which was al, en- O
IRE revolution IN the feelings of Mr.. d
fomiinson.- He now resolved that he \
would not marry her. because her fsih- :
II failed. and. in all probability. vould :
lever be worth a dollar again. With :
his resolution on his mind, he was At a :
oss to scquxint her Of his determination. ,