Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-01-14

.sGood night, my darlings; SO with Bet
ty Father cannot talk with you tonight =
! They obeyed quietly, but an expression
of sorrow was visible in their innocent faces.
s'Poor father is i'll, /" whispered the young
est darling, as she pressed her lips to his
cheek. 'Lizzy will you take care Of him
o-morrow."
The mother scarcely waited until the door
was closed ere she approached her husband,
and, with a tender pressure Of the hand, ex-
claimed So
i Il felt sure that something had befallen
us, dear Henry but I feared personalac-
cident to yourself. Tell me at once what is
the matter.
..Our business affairs are in most criti-
cal and alarming condition, Clara. [ fear
that utter ruin is impending"
Tears fell fast from Mrs Camden's eyes.
ut will be hard to bear poverty" she
murmured. II do not think of myself,
dear Henry, but grieve for you, my poor
husband, who have toiled for years to place
us in possession Of comforts, of which we
must now be deprived our children,
how sadly they will feel the change''
'.It is, indeed, hard" exclaimed the hus-
band, as he hurriedly paced the apartment;
''but there is no remedy, and we must en-
deavor to submit William wanted to per-
suade me that the case is not so desperate
as [ imagine; but it is useless to deceive
myself with hopes which can never be real
ised Better to look our trubles full in the
face at once" d
-"Far better" rejoined his wife evil
liam always talks to us about looking on the
bright side; but for my part, I think it bet
ter to be prepared for the worst
They seated themselves at the table; but
the husband partook of the food which was
placed before him without relish, and Clara
felt a choking sensation in her throat which
prevented her from swallowing one mouth
full.
That evening passed in mournful silence;
and at an early hour, with sad hearts, they
sought repose.
Morning found the brothers again at their
post-the one invigorated and strengthened
for whatever might befal; the other depress-.
ed, harrassed, and anxious. -
children to sckoof IS dtdaf, cksafrhf little
| Ellen set out on her visit of coincidence to
her sister-in-law.
A short and pleasant walk brought her to
the house of Henry Camden.
Four sweet children were playing in the
yard, and they joyfully flew to welcome
"Aunt Ellen"
How comes it that you are not at school,
dear Mary?" she asked, as she afectionate-
ly returned their greeting. 1s
| Arshade passed over the child's counten-.
ance as she replied, - lit-s
..Mother did not get us read y as usual.
I asked her once. if it was not school time,
| but she said that it made little difference
now, for we should not be able to 60 to school
long. Something is the matter with poor
mother She has cried all the morning, and
father was very sad too, [ am glad you
have come, Aunt Ellen" ot
'sTbis is worse than [ anticipated -
thought Mrs. Camden. RI fear Clara has
some affliction of which I am ignorant" and
with ready sympathy she entered at once.
"Mrs Camden is in her own room, ma
am, % said the servant II presume you
can see her, although she desired me to tell
any one who called that she was not well,
and did not feel able to see company"
II will 60 up to her room,' % was the re-
| ply; and the gentle tap at the door was an
swered by a request to walk in.
s:Good morning, Clara. am grieyed to
hear that you are not we'll this morning" )"
| was the salutation of the visitor, to which
greeting pressure of the hand and show
er of tears was the only response. "You
alarm me, Clara Has anything occurred
of which am uniformed? ? Your husband,
is he we'll ?"
'sAlas, my poor husband 1t is for him
that. [ grieve most deeply" sobbed Clara.
s'Surely, Ellen, William has told you of our
mutual misfortunes? ?" - -
"He; has told. me that there is danger of
heavy loss in their business, which will,
for while, embarrass them, and render
economy on our part necessary; but l do
assure you my dear sister, there is no cause
for this extreme anxiety and alarm. Ii
your husband is desponding, there is more
need that you should be calm and cheerful. :"
'.Surely should sympathise with his
griefs. twas the almost indignant reply
E..'Would you have me smile when Henry is
sad !? My heart must be cold indeed . -
s"Yes-but if we would give consolation,
we must endeaver to keep our own minds in
quiet, cheerful state and, if possible, pre-
sent a brighter side Of the picture to him
whom we are endeavoring to console.
'sBut there can be no brighter side, Ellen.
The prospect is, that we are penniless."
< 80 no, no, Clara not so bad as that; but
even FIVE were, we should be thankful that
our husbands are still comparatively young
men, with good health and undiminished
energies; and we have talents and accom-