The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-02-15

sumed in the terrible conhagraton. But it so hap
pened tha. the fire in that direction was arrested
there, and Mr.. Eldridges store remained untouch-
ed. As insurance was worthless, and, al
though of the .'solvent class he was ruined.
No one seemed to feel for him, who had never
had any regard for the misfortunes of others
Gradually the meagre remnant or shadow of prop
erty that remained was exhausted; and, with his
wife and daughter he sank from the observation
of those who had once known hun, as completely
as fdeaG and buried.
1t was, perhaps, in January, some two years
afterward, that thinly clad young woman pres
ented herself at the academy for young ladies' in
- street, kept by Constance and Margaretta.
Are you in want of teacher, ma'am2' she said
to Constance, who went down iuto the parlor on
being announced.
There was something strangely familiar in the
face and tones Of the speaker. But still, she did
not know her.
No. Miss, we are not just now. Whnt branch
are you capable of teachng?'
i can teach music, ma'am, and l understand
French, aod can speak it fuenty.'
Let me hear you play said Constance. And
the stranger sat down TO the piano, and performed
with exquisite taste several pieces.
DO you siug!' she asked.
i have not practised much recently, but l used
to be thought good singer
May ask you to sing something? Perhaps
we may make a vacancy for you. if you can sing
well' said Constance, her interest in the stranger
increasing momentarily. and the familiarity of her
fona apdt harr1 md
cry moment.
The young woman again sat down to the instru-
ment, and sang with much taste and evident emo
ton, an DID, familiar air. that sent the thoughts and
feelings of Constance back to other times and 9TH
or scenes.
And now,'she said, with something of eager in
terest, may ask your nan.e?'
Florence A. replied the young woman,
dropping her eyes to the floor, while the color
mounted to her cheeks.
is it possible! o, how you have changed, Flor
ence!' Constance said, tenderly, taking her hand.
Suffering and poverty will change any one she
replied bitterly. Then, after moments silence,
she continued: My father and mother are both
sick, and in circumstances of great destitution. l
have tried my best with my reedle; but it won't do.
can't get bread for all. As last resort have
come to you, hoping that might touch your heart
with our distresses. ! know can be useful in
your school, if you only have place for me. This
is all ask. Have any thing to hope, Con-
stanee?' ~
And the poor creature stood before her, with
the tears streaming down her thin, pale cheeks,
eager, yet seeming to hope almost against hope.
Yes. eyerything' was The quick response Of
Constance.
May heaven reward your she calculated, sink
| ing upon chair.
Iknow your facility and correctness in the French
and you are just the one want to give correct
pronunciation to my class in that language. | will
engage you at once at salary Of five hundred dol
lars, and be glad to get you.
Florence was overcome ct this unlocked for
result. So different from what she had dared to
hope. Mr.. Edridge, coming in at the moment,
ard learning who she was. instantly ordered every
thing necessary to be sent to her father and moth
or.
/ Florence was at once installed into her new vo-
cation, not however, until Constance and Marga-
retta had made change in her outward appear
ance: and she filed it every way to their satsfac.
ton. Sorrows and reverses had done much fol
her, in developing the good and true, that had wei
nigh been lost.
A few months after this event, Mr.. A., who
had prided himself upon being of the solvent class
some few years before, was glad to accept an an.
nual salary of three hundred dollars from Mr.. Ed
RIDGE for merely staying in his store, and doing
little writing now and then; Even this very
acceptable. and with the salary of Florence help
ed to support his family comfortably.
And now, we will only say-Let no man boas
of his being of the solvent class, and vanly sup
pose that fire nor flood can reach him. Richie.
often take to themselves wings and fly away
The wealthy man of to-day is often the pauper o
Tomorrow. This is the history of every year, ant
of all ages. Therefore, let noue be unmercful tc
the unfortunate, for who can say that his turn
not come next!