The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-01-24

some at home, and thought would steI
round to see you and the dear children
Mrs. White, | am really delighted tc
see you come, take seat"
After they have conversed for tim,
or minor topics, Ms. w. resumes, "Does
Brown still live over therc2 "Yes."-
How do they get along" "WeIl-l
dont know" which clearly meant she
knew great deal. "Does he get much
work, continues Mrs. White. "Wby YES
1t he would work." "Does he not work n
why this whole week Mrs. White, he
has done nothing. They deserve to
starye. lie idles away his time from
morning TO night "WeIl," says Mrs
Whte "Mrs. Black was telling me about
ms bad habits. Mrs. Reds husbands
brother brought the news of his being
drunk AT the muster the other day, and
they say he CANDLES too "Yes, they
say he plays cards day and night. |
would not be surprised to see them come
To the dogs"
Soon Mrs. White leaves when in
comes Mrs. Red, well, met Mrs. hte
Just now, has that gossip been here ~
Yes, amt she g"ssipi She was telling
me that Mr.. Brown was drunk at the
muster the other day." well | never
heard it, Mr.. Red my husbands brother
was there, aud mentioned the names of
some that were intoxicated, but did not
mention Mr.. Browns name as r6coIect."
Now, the way OF it was this. Mr.. Red
had mentioned that mars name he said
when asked, that Mr. so and so, a relative
)f Browns was Intoxicated. Mrs. White
heard "drunk" and Brown" and hence
the report. "Well Mrs. Green how do
those people get along 7" "WLy, bad
enough Mrs. Red, Brown is dissipated
character. lie CANDLES away all he
makes" "oh, shockIng!" exclaimed the
other. .r- ..-....
What admirable men must Messrs.
Green and Red be. Could the pencil OF
thelarlist be brought into requisition, and
the scenes of their early life bs. laid he
fore the reader, the blood would mantle
his cheek ut the evidences Of their de-
pravity and licentiousneSs. Mrs. Green
spoke to every one cf Browns getting
drunk, Of his gambling propensities, he
had LIST so much money-Mrs. Red would
tell Mrs. White, Mrs. White would tell
Mrs. b ack, and on it would go. like a
snow bail getting the larger As it progress
sed, until the whole town looked sss-
pieiousIv upon Brown. He was innocent.
But runor has,ened his downfall. Men
began To sue. Mr.. Green was the first 10
have everything which the law would
give him sold lie reduced him to beg
gary.
=
What we have written reader, occurred
some years ago. Many changes have
happened since then. Come with me,
and this last scene concludes our sketch.
We are at the house of Mr.. Green
That same house, but how gloomy and
dismal Mr.. Green had two daughters,
and both had married dissipated vaga-
bonds, contrary 20 the wishes of their pa
rents. They had removed to the Gar west.
We are in Mr.. Green's chamber He is
stretched on his dying bed. "Oh God
he excIaims, show many homes have
made desoiutei have toiled for gold.
and in dong 50 have brought many TO
ruini" HIS wife sits beside him. Where
is her pride now "My wife" says the
dying man, "what can | do 7 Send for
Brown,l want TO see him."
Conscious Of hls recttude Of character,
and unyieIding to despair, Mr. Br.wn
had struggled on. BY dint Of industry
and perseverance, he arose Phoenix like
from ruin 10 competency. He now lived
in better home, and enjoyed more com.
forts. MB Green sends for Brown, and
the latter hastens to his summons. And
there beside the bedside Of the dying man,
he stands. He endeavors to pacify and
console him. He points him to God, to
seek for forgiveness, not from man, but
from HIM who says, Come unto me all
who are weary and heavy laden, and |
will give you rest. Though your sins be
rel as scarlet, will make them rs white
as snow. Let the wicked forsake his ways
and come uato me and will abundantly
pardon him." "No ! no! Brown ex-
claims the dying man, ii am lost, lost,
lost Already do see starving children
and heart-broken women rejoicing at my
entrance into. hell. Great God ] am
lost, lost, lostr' And thus the rich man
died
A bore to society is scandal. IL cor.
rodes and destroys all the finer feelings oI
man. Like hereditary disease N a
family, it is carried from parents to chill
dren. Often party Of ladies assemble
and this man is spoken Of in contempt
this woman's character is assailed, spe.
cies Of idle gossip is engaged in, which Il
detrimental to themselves aud injurious
10 Others. II people would mind their
own business, they would have enough 10
employ them, and be not unjusily charged
for re,siling Islander.