The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-24

eyes, Ellen. And not the least Of my thanks
giving is that have such a dear devoted wife
to cheer me up when in trouble and tighten my
cares. Oh, how thankful we should be that
God has sent light out of darkness, and raised
up help for us when all looked as cheerless as
the gloomy night just passed"
| NaectonKH
| Time speed on, and Fred Caslssy Add be-
come, first, head clerk, and then one of the firm
of Steady, Trust & Co. He had now the satis-
faction of seeing his wife situated in the man.
ner her graceful habits deserved. His child
rem, too, were well clothed; and, what is far
better, well educate; while his home was fur
nished with every luxury that refinement could
suggest. Lizzie had improved in beauty as
well as in mental accomplishments, and was
universally beloved for her sweetness of dis
position and kindness to those who were de-
pendant upon their own labor.
Mr.. Atwood had, in the meantime, increased
his business so far that he had removed to
New York, where his family occupied one of
the Fifth avenue palaces of upper-tendom; and
the firm Of Atwood e. Co., for Charlie was
partner now, was known as one of the most
extensive mercantile houses in that city. Il
now became necessary to establish branch
in Europe, and the younger Atwood sailed for
London for that purpose. Before leaving he
paid visit to our old friends, the Castletons,
and laughingly bade Lizzie take care of her
self, as he intended to bring her beau from
London.
A few months after his departure Ada was
married to a French adven:urer, who captiva-
ted her with his high-sounding name and glossy
moustache; while on his part her fathers
wealth was the principal attraction. This
marriage in high life created quite sensation
in the fashionable world. as he was reputed to
be millionaire; but, unfortunately for Ada's
hopes OF grandeur, it was discovered to be
mistake! Mr.. Atwood became so enraged at
the imposition practised upon him that he new
er forgave Mr.. Montmorencie, for such was
the name of Ada's husband A few brief
months served to dispel the romance of this
marriage. She soon sincerely hated him who
had been the angle Of her dreams, while her
and capriciousness. At length, in an evil hour
he forged his father-in-law's name to a check
for several thouoands, and fed, leaving his dis
graced wife to face the wrath Of her infuriated
father. With Mr.. Atwood's increased wealth
grew his anxiety for more. Like the man in
pursuit Of the last dollar, he left no means un-
tried to accumulate wealth. His vessels sail
ed to and from foreign ports, laden with valua-
BILE cargoes, but money hardened his heart, and
he became parsimonious. He was at the coun-
ing room first in the morning and las, at night,
keeping the most watchful Surveillance oyer
the clerks, whom he invariably kept on poor
pay, and consequently they were Of the kind
that would take the advantage whenever they
could. When his cat-lke step was heard.
every face heightened. Not the ghost of
smile was to be seen! But the moment he was
out Of of hearing they fell back on their cigars
and last copy of the Tribune Old Grabb,
as he was familiarly termed in his ap-
sence-in their language-was 'brick and
no mistake" But riches often make to them
selves wings. Mr.. Atwood speculated large
ly and won so often that, emboldened by sue
cess, he embarked his all in an investment
which, had it been successful, would have ad-
ded largely to his fortune. The speculation
failed. Misfortune never comes singly. The
paper that chronicled the failure Of the mag
nificent bubble also recorded the wreck
and total loss Of the Ada Atwood, heavily la
den with silks, wines and spices, consigned to
the owners, Atwood & Son, whose insurance
had run out just tweuty-foT hours previously.
To add to the catalogue of disasters, fire
broke out 10 the counting room, caused by the
carelessness of one Of the fast clerks, which
consumed the remnant of his fortune. Mr..
Atwood was man who had no fixed. relig ious
principles, and his mind recoiled with horror
at the prospect of poverty in his old age.
Ada had disappointed his darling hopes, but
Charles was as dear to his heart as it was PCS
sible for aughtto be, save gold; and the thosght
that he had dragged him down to povert was
gall and wormwood to his heart. Allday he
remained locked up in his chamber To his
wife's fearful inquiries his invarisble answer
was: "I do not wish to be disturbed"
Long after midnight the wretched woman
heard his heavy tread, pacing the floor. The
morning came. All was quiet. There was
no response to the knock at the door; the FAM
lily becoming alarmed, forced it, and the bright
sunlight beamed upon the face Of the suicide.
AviaI labelled " "AIorphine'' revealed the means
of his death.
CHAPTERIV.
The widow Atwood and her miserable daugh
ter-now faded, sickly woman--retired to
furnished lodgings in quiet street, where they
could live secluded from the prying gaze of
idle curiosity until Charlie's return. A kind
friend had written to him on the death of his
father Inmediatalu on thu roc aini af fha In