The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-08-17

II was the poorest dwelling i'll the court,
and old wooden tenement, which had a
crushed lock, By the side Of the lordly dwell.
lings which rose in lowering pride around
it, as if it longed for the annihilation TO
which rise in land would soon consgin it.
Mark knocked at the weather-beatel
door, and poorly-clad, but bright-faced
woman opened it and welcomed him in. A
cheerful wood fire burned in the old.fasil.
ioned fireplace, and a baby's socks were
drying on the heads of the handirons. The
rosy baby slept, smiling in pine cradle
There was no paint on the floor, but it was
wife with work. Such kitchen utensils as
were visible, preached silent sermons OF
tidness and order. Mr.. Cottage was car
penter, and was drawing plans for house.
"Excuse my bringing you into the kitch.
en-" said Mrs. Cottage; 'but you know we
are poor and can't afford two fires"
"Glad 10 see you, MIR. Mark" said MIR
Cottage, "but sorry to lose so good neigh
Dor; for hear you're going away. hope
you will come back rch.n
Thank you-I hope SO, too though mon
ey don't ensure happiness always.
"That's rue," said Cottage. Look at us.
We are poor enough; but we have health,
and food, and shelter, such as il is and as
long as we have work, we can keep 'the
wolf from the door," as the saying is, and |
don't worry for more. As 10 my wi fe she
can speak for herself"
al don't want 10 be any happier" said
Mrs. Cottage, "and can't expect it. see
SO many unhappy people, that it makes
me thankful thatwe are r. well off as we
are, though we do live very humbly."
"You are rich in having such a disposi.
tion," returned Mark, comparing their con-
tented faces with those he had just parted
from, "richer than some Of your neighbors'
81 think that" replied Mr.. Cottage smil.
ing archly. "We every day manage to give
something TO the unfortunate, who come to
US after having been turned away from 9TH
er doors. Few so poor that they don't see
poorer. | often wonder if the rich ever
think, when they close their great doors on
the starving and ragged, that they may be
poor themselves"
'They deserve 10 be, at any rate" said
Mark, "wthout the luxury which poor
man has, in his own applauding heart, when
he gives from his little store 10 poorer
brother"
Mark took his leave, and, on the follow
ing day, babe long farewell 10 his native
land, as her shores receded behind the blue
waters, over which. as he gazed, he felt he
might never pass again. To the distant
mart, where he had chosen his lot, his busi-
ness bound him for period of ten years
and then, with eager heart, he turned from
his long, but prosperous exile.
81 WONDER" thought he, as the vessel
neared his native city, show our old neigh
bors of the court get along? Dead, OIL
gone away, perhaps. 1t will be interesting
to know; and the alteration may be a com.
mens upon the traits they exhibited.
Soon after landing, he repaired TO the old
familiar court. But neither Covets, Clutch,
es, crashes, nor Cottages were to be found
there. He ascertained tae address of the
Cottages however, and called upon them
forthwith.
The carpenter had become rich man
and now lived in handsome mansion. In.
dustry, enterprise, Integrity and contented
spirit had found his way 10 fortune-power.
| ful auxliaries 10 his skill in his craft, and
after congratuating the worthy family up.
on the agreeable changes in their affairs,
Mark asked them what had become of their
old neighbors.
"The Clutches, you will be astonished tc
hear, now live in miserable cellar, in an
obsure quarter OF the city. Two years af-
ter you left, their house was destroyed by
fire, without insurance; and by the failure
of bank and land speculator, they were
reduced 10 nolhing-with not friend to
help them. In their prosperity, they were
kind TO nobody; in their adversely, none
were kind TO them"
"And the Crashes 2"
"They crashed, for about for years ago
everything was taken from them and they
now board out somewhere, and, perhaps,
are taking useful lessons in honor, industry
and foresight"
! "And the Covets ?"
"Both died of dyspepsia, consumption, or
some kindred complaint, brought on by
worrying about the affairs of other people
They died within year Of each other, and
are now resting where there is no chance
10 envy their neighbors for all are situated
alike on the last great democratic levelW
AS MIR. Felix Mark wended his way 10
his hotel, he pondered seriously upon the
great changes which had occurred TO those
four families within the short space of ten
years and it seemed TO him, that # some
poor story writer should be made acquaint-
ed with the facts, he might deem them wor-
thy of a narrative, il only for the moral they
contained.
| FAIR GRonNp.-The citizens of Milton
are about purchasing ground for the county
Fair and race conrse Several peces are