The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-03-08
Reverses of Fortune.

or the poor complain or their poverty,
rule which will answer both in prosper
ity and adversely, The 6cklenes, of for
tune has been theme for poets ant
ronancers ever since the story of Jobs
affiiction has been known. The uncer
tainty of mercantile life, particularly, is
not only a constant subject of remark
but also one of general experience. Nc
profession in life, except the farmers
seemed to be so Fixed, or even SO perma
nent, that some adverse storms may not
sweep all away, and leave the fancied
man of wealth but the semblance of his
poverty. What are bonds, stocks, and
mortgages, but SO much waste paper,
when the basis upon which they rest
becomes worthless or unproductiye!-
They cannot purchase the first bushel of
potatoes, or the smallest loaf of bread, to
satisfy the cravings of hunger
! We promise this much in order to re-
| late the sudden fall of fashionable
family from afiuence to almost complete
poverty. Last winter the frequenter of
the gay reunions at Washington could
not have failed to notice hale and hearty
widow, fair and about forty, who attend
ed all the balls, parties and gay assem-
blies of our capitol She bad lovely
daughter, scarcely seventeen years of age,
innocent and retiring in her manners, but
of an engaging and afectionate disposi-
ton. The widow was the owner of plan
tation in Virginia, encumbered with ne
groes, and run down to such state of
poverty she was actually poorer than the
colored servants whom she owned She
resolved, however, to make desperate
push, and to marry her daughter off in
such manner to recuperate her declin-
ing fortunes. Her reputed wealth, the
charming appearance of her daug hter,
and the f'aeSe which she knew so we'll
how to use, was very soon successful. A
young man of this city, recently taken in
as partner in a banking house in Wall
street, was at Washington, transactipg
some business for the firm, and while
there received an invitation to attend
soiree at the residence of the Hon. Mrl
-, member of the Senate. He re-
ceived an invitation to the strategic wild
ow, who Immediately saw the game pre-
sented to her. The daughter was intro
duced, and the young man, feeling rich
and important at his recent good fortune
in bis business, thought it about time to
take o wife. When both parties are
more than usually anxious it does not
generally take long to conclude a matri-
monial arrangement. At all events, SO
spirited was the preliminary courtsbip,
assisted by the experience of the mother,
that in less than two weeks the amiable
daughter of the Old Dominion and the
promising son of the Empire State were
before the altar, and priestly lips had
pronounced them husband and wife The
plantation, of course, was not regarded,
but was left in decay and ruin under the
care of an overseer. The young couple
in company with the mother, came i'm
mediately on to this city, and splendid
home in--was soon procured, and
sumptuously furnished, and all things
went "sS merry as marriage bell."--
Servants attended the nod of each MEM
of the family. The ladies luxuriated up
on the magnificent sofas during the morn
ing, and in the afternoon the carriage
was at the door, and the obedient dri-
yer grati6cd their most whimsical capri
ces. The bright and charming period of
life, however, did not last long. Last
summer gigantic failure came, and the
house of which the young man was
member went by the board; and in less
time than it takes US to pen it, he was as
poor as the son of toll who day by day
labors with his hands for bis support.
TIE golden vision had fed-ths extrav-
agant mansion had to be vacated, and
the neglected Virginia plantation again
began to look as if it were worth some
thing. At all events 1t was not to be
despised; and the mother who found al
her watchful 6nanciering for rich hus-
band for her daughter thus turned to
nought, sought its quiet shade for repose
after her short but exciting career in the
uncertain life Of fashionable metropolis.
.Neao York Sunday Times.