True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-04-28
Ruined.

/" The man is ruined hopelessly ruin
ed !"
The words startled me.
" So bad as that :" said the individual
10 whom the remark was made.
Even so bad" ..... .t...
"Of whom were you speakingW l
asked. . . .....
"Of Jacob Atwood"
] started TO my feet. He was one of
my old, intimate, and long tried friends.
Ruined, did you say! That man
ruined! Impossible I"
There is no doubt of it. I received
my information from those who have the
best right 10 know" ..
What has he done :" I asked
eagerly.
My question was received in silence
as if my question was not clearly appre.
heDded. tr... ......
I" Is he a defalter?'
"No."' The answer showed surprise
at my question.
No, sir; his integrity is without
question. In all his public relations he
was true as steel to principle"
What then! Has be placed any
portion Of his property beyond the reach
of creditors who have just claims upon
him 7"
He has given up every thing, even tc
The furniture Of his house. Not shilling
has been retained. and he goes forth into
the world ruined man.
60 no" said / speaking out warmly
g not in any sense ruined man. The
merchant may be ruined, but, thank God,
the man is whole" .a. -.
The little company looked al me for a
moment or two half in surprise.
"The man is all right" went on
"Only the scaffold on which the work.
men stood, who were building up his
character, has fallen. Erect, calm, noble
halfdivine, he stands now, III the sun.
shine and in the storm. Around hi'
majestic brow the clouds may gather
upon it the tempest may beat but he il
immovable in his grand integrity"
Some smiled at my enthusiasm. Tc
them. there was nothing Of the morally
sublime in the ruined merchant. Other
looked little more thoughtfully thai
before and one said feebly, 81
"There ia something in that" '.
Something in that! l should thinl
there was. .D a.
1t was the first intelligence l had recei
we'd of my friends worldly misfortuneS
and it grieved me. In the evening l wen
to see Jacob Atwood. The windows 0
the elegant residence where he had live
for many years were closed. l locke,
up at the house-it had deserted as
pect. l rung the bell; no one answere
my summons. :nafa 3t ,a
could not repress the feeling Of sad
ness that came over me. The trial mus
have been severe even for brave heal
like his. o. .''t.i
"I must find him" said I. And di
find him; but far away from the neigh
borhood where merchant princes ha
their palace houses. The house int
which he had retired with his famil
booked small, and mean, and comfortles'
in comparison with The elegant abod
from which he had removed. Irung an
was admitted The parlor into which
was shown was small room, and tn
furniture was not much better than "
often see in the houses of well.to.d
mechanics, or clerks on moderate salarie
But everything was in order, and scru
pulousy neat. ,tsaA rr
I had made only a hurried observatio
when Mr.. Atwood entered. He locke
something careworn, his face was pal,
than when last | saw him, his eye litt
duller, his smile less cheerful. IT
marks Of trial and suffering were plain
! visible. 1t would have been almost
miracle had it been Otherwise. But
|, did not exhibit the aspect Of RUNE
I man. He grasped my hand warmly, ar
+ said il was pleasant to look into The Ca,
r Of an old friend, ! offered him words
sympathy,
"The worst is over" he answered vii
[manly cheerfulness, land nothing is 10
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