The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1858-03-17
Ruined.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

BY T. S. ARTHUR.
The man is ruine,l-hopelcssly rnit-
ed!
The words startled me-
80 bad as that 2 said the individual t
whom there mark was made.
Even so bad
'Of whom are you speahing?' I ven
tured to ask.
of Jacob Atwood
[ started to my feet. He was one Of
my old, intimate, and long-triel friends.
Ruined, did you say? That man ru-
ined Impossiblep ...
There is no doubt Of it. received my
information from those who have tbs
best right to know.
what has he done p ! asked, eager
My question was received in silence,
as if the meaning were not clearly APP
pretended.
is he defaulter 2
No The answer showed surprise at
my question.
Has he betrayed an honorable trust
reposed in him by his fellow-men?
NO, sir; his integrity is without cues
ton. In all his public relations he was
true as steel to principle.
What then 2 Has he placed any por-
ton of his property beyond the reach
of creditors who have just claims upon
him p
He has given up everythine-even to
the furniture Of his house. Not dollar
has been retained, and he goes forth into
the world q rnined man
% no. said I, speaking out warmly
Not in any sense ruined man. The
merchant may be ruined, but thank God!
the man is whole
The little company looked at me, for
moment or two, half in surprise.
THE man is all right, | went on
'Only the scaffolding,on which the work.
men stood who were building up his
character. has fallen. Erect. calm. noble
halt-divine, he stands, now, in the sun
shine and in the storm. Around his
majestic brow the clouds may gather;
upon it the tempests may beat but
be is immoveable in his great integrity.
Some smiled at my enthusiasm. TO
them there was nothing of the morally
sublime in ruined merchant. Others
locked little more thoughtful than be-
fore and one said, feebly:
There is something in that
Something in that should think
there was.
1t was TIE first intelligence I had re.
ceived of my friends worldly misfor-
tunes, and it grieved me. In the even
ing l went to see Jacob Atwood. The
windows of the elegant residence where
he had lived for years were closed. l
looked up at she house--it had q dcse:-
ted aspect. Irung the bell; no one an
swered my summons.
I could not repress the feeling Of sad
ness that came over me. The trial
mast have been severe even for brave
heart like his
Il must find him said I. And l did
find him; but far away from the neigh
borhood where merchant rinccs had their
palace houses. The house into which he
had retired with his family looked small,
and mean, and comfortless, in compari-
son with the elegant abode from which
he had removed. Slng and was adj
mitted. The parlor into which | was
shown Was small ROOM and the iurn'.
lure was not much better than we often
see in the houses of we'll to do mechanics
or clerks on moderate salaries. But
everything was in order, ami scrupulous-
ly neat. .,
l had made only a hurried observa-
ton, when Mr. Atwood entered. lie
looked something careworn-his face was
paler than when last saw him, his eye
little duller, his smile less cheerful. The
marks of trial and suffering were plain
ly visible. 1t would have been almost a
miracle had it been otherwise. But he did
not exhibit the aspect of a ruined nan.
He grasped my hand firmly, and said it
was pleasant to look into the face OF an
old friend. offered him words of SYM
pathy. u aaes 81 ."
'Ihe worst is over he answered, with
manly cheerfulness, and nothing is lost
which may not be regained. Eve found
the bottom, know where am, and there
is strength enough LETT in me to stand up
securely amid the rushing waters. The
best OF all is, my property, which has
been apportioned to my creditors. will
pay every debt. That gives my heart
its igltest pulsations
4 heard that you were ruined said 7,
as We sat talking together; 'but find