The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-11-10
It the same establishment twelve years

~ suo o0soV eSI0O41ouuous sUcAVo ycoto
before.
Supposing that my friend had retired
from business to enjoy domestic peace
and quiet. I entered to enquire where
he might be found. The clerks were,
to me, all strangers, and knew nothing
of Mr.. L.. Their employer, the
merchant, they informed me, would not
be At homo for several days. Feeling
disappointed, / sought a Hotel at no
great distance from my friends former
situation. and after refreshing myself,
enquired there for Mr.. George l..
once merchant Of that neighborhood,
but no one could tell me whittier he Fad
gone few had known him fewer cared
to remember him, and none could now
tell me whether he was in the Eastern
or Western Hemisphere, alive or dead.
As time passed, became more anxious
about him inquiry after inquiry was
made in vain, and At length a kind of
dread stole over me that all was not we'll.
But I persevered; if he is in affluence,
thought l. he will be glad to see me If
in adversely can relieve him, for had
been fortunate beyond my most san
guine expectations. Animated and de-.
pressed alternately, as hope or fear
claimed the right of umpire over me,
roamed the streets for days and weeks,
endeavoring to get some clue to his dis.
covery. One day, while prosecuting
my search, with undiminished anxiety
and ardor, but with waning hopes, a
splendid carriage passed along at rap
id pace, and in it l recognized my for
mer acquaintance, the errand boy, now
a wealthy merchant of the city. made
signs to the coachman to stop, but the
coach rolled on. A little boy of 8 or
years in attempting to cross the street
in advance of the coach. became entan.
gled in a play thing he was hauling after
him, and before he was observed by the
driver or bystanders he was among the
heels of the horses all hope of him
was lost. The screams of the poor wo.
man, near me. who proved to be his
mother. now attracted my attention.
Turning round I saw that she had
swooned away and some kind women
were conveying her to house near by
flew TO the relief of her boy. The
horses and coach had to al appearance
passed over him, and yet by kind ol
lucky accident. he remained uuhurt
he was 90 much frightened that he was
unable to rise, and l took him up and
carried him to his distressed mother
she was still in swoon. Her husband
was sent for-he came-and Judge MY
surprise, when / saw in him, the wreck
Of my once opulent and amiable friend
He knew me not. Dissipation hae
placed her fiery and disgraceful marks
upon his countenance. and his dres,
plainly told how intimate he was with
Poverty. l felt sick, miserablf sick a
heart, ,. tsholdirg the distress Of m,
early friends. but l consoled myself viii
the reflection that sufficiency had bee,
gassAa s>A.-tsa re.asr sl.s... s,.s.. ssxs~.Ll,
without injuring myself. But am toe
prolix.
He hung with intense anguish owe
the apparently inanimate form of hi.
still lovely wife and it was gratifying
to see that his affection had not deciince
with his fortune. Her color returned
by degrees, and by the aid of restora
tives. she was soon able to be up; he
child was placed in her arms and she
embraced and kissed him with moth.
er's fondness. She inquired for his pre-.
servea. Twas pointed out as the per
son who had brought him from tn,
street. She looked at me steadily fo
minute and pronounced my name
Her husband turned quickly toward
me and with look of embarrassment
and modification scanned my feature,
he knew me. and then-the seen,
was Undesirable.
AZ soon as the first keen sense O
surprise and joy had subsided, askee
most tenderly Of their situation. The,
looked at each other, as if doubling tn.
propriety of an exposure but after ,
short consultation which they held
seemingly unnoticed by me, he reques
ted me to accompany them home this
was an invitation, you may BE- certain,
very readily accepted. His wife who
was still weak, would not consent te
have q carriage ordered to convey them
home. pleading as an ex .use, that its
rumbling jar over the stoney pavement
would affect her head /; plausible as this
objection seemed to be, l had no doub
but she dreaded more, the placing her.
self in situation which would have a
direct tendency to cali up recollec,ions
OF former wealth and happiness the
handsome equipage and the humble
dwelling would form painful contrast
Mrs. l. took the arm of her hus.
band, l the hand Of their little SON.
We proceeded in silence, but memory
that useful but sometimes unwelcomt
companion of the judgment, was busy
with events of y-gons years. Iwish
cd to talk with them but could not
was fearful that l should be unable te
speak as tenderly and delicately as
wished; but while my heart almos
melted at the sight of So much sadness
! felt immeasurably happy in the reso
luton | had formed Of raising them
from their depression and placing them
in the world Of joy. and pleasure snd
respectability. they had been compelled
to leave.
We passed through many streets to-
wards an Objectionable part Of the city
and turning down an alley whose neg.
lected and filthy appearance told the tha,
my worst apprehensions were about te
be realized. Along this alley we pass
ed "a miserable looking building was
before us. and the little innocent At nv
side whispered ''that is our house. -
| A piece Of canvass that looked a If i,