Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-02-05
LOOK UP"

LOOK UP"
"Misfortunes," it is said, "never come
singly." This was certainly verified il
the family of William Thornby. The
world had gone fortunate with him for Q
time; but soon promising speculations fail
ed entirely, and his affairs became sadly
involved. Some hopes of recovery pre-
sented themselves, when a fire broke out
in the place, his house of business fell q
prey to the flames, and to render the mis-
fortune greater, the insurance had expired
the day before.
Thornby and his large family were re
duced to absolute poverty. Nor was this
all his anxiety and exposure during the
fire brought on fever, and for weeks his
wife and daughter hung over him almost
despairing of his life. At length, however,
the fever abated, and though he was left
week and helpless as an infant, reason had
returned, and nothing was needed for his
restoration to health but good nursing and
freedom from mental anxiety.
Careful and affectionate nursing were
not wanting, but it was impossible to pre-
vent mental uneasiness. His children
must be supported, but how? They would
share with him in the poverty, perhaps
the disgrace, which the involved state of
his affairs would bring upon him, and
many would heap upon him u1hnerrited
reproach.
There remained but one way by which
his fair name could be entirely retained,
and on this he at once resolved. The
house in which they lived was valuable,
and would command ready and favor
able sale. 1t was hard to part with home
he had made so comfortable, but there
was no alternative. The house was offer
ed for sale and purchaser soon founl.
Every Just claim was satisfied, and the
family removed to a distant part of the
country.
Here in small, neat dwelling, they
found themselves in the possession Of
many comforts, and in their affection. for
each other the mother and child soon
found contentment and happiness.
But the fathers heart was still sad. He
fa,. q want of confidence in himself, and
:. :st,usi If his fellow creatures. His whole
Iill- U-,ns changed. His counten-
apee peeIT" was do;rncast md sad; his steps lin,
gering and irreso,'ute, an no one would
have recognized the On. hapiyS merchant
in the addressed and unhappy loS NIiS
man, who now busted himself III cuItlVal-
ing a small piece of land that surroui> 'eo
his little dwelling.
His wife sought by every means in her
power to arouse his dormant energies
The little property they had saved from
the wreck would soon be exhausted; he |
was yet in the prime of life; his health |
was fully restored why not again 20 for |
ward, and endeavor to regain, at least
part, of what they had lost? Surely it /
was duty which he owed to himself and 4
his children. But her husband shrunk |
from again mingling with what he deemed |
l cold and unfeeling world
" 1t will be in vain, Mary" he replied,
Il shell loose the little we have You can
hardly imagine the unfeeling manner in
which the unfortunate are treated. Many
will help those who seem likely to rise
but very few will extend a
land to save those who are comparatively
linking"
This is part true" said his more hope
ul wife, ''but trust not to the extent
which you seem to believe. Place more
confidence in your fellow men, and above
IL, have more reliance upon your Heaven
Y Father and you will succeed. Begin at
he bottom of the ladder, and seek sit
lation as clerk. You are certainly well
qualified either for q salesman or account
mt, and will no doubt obtain a good sala-
y"
Mr.. Thornby sighed deeply.
MY health" said he, will not permit
ne to lead the sedentary life of an ac-
as a salesman fear l should
tand little chance of success"
"Not with that sad fcountenance, in
eed, but strive to recover your former !
heerful temperament, and all will go
'ell."
For your sake, Mary, and that of my
hildren, will make the attempt, but I
eel sure it will fail"
He resolved to 90 and seek employment.
lie left home for the city with the same
ld countenance, downcast look, and slow
nd measured step.
His wife who had watched him anxious =
: until he was out of sight, turned sor- '
1wfully from the window, and said to her l
ldest daughter: I
at is all in vain, Sarah, your poor faith I
? will never succeed until he can learn to c
'ok up, not only naturally, but spirit t
ally" S
After some expressions of mutual conf 2
ence and affection, the excellent mother i
nd daughter determined upon two things; Z
rst to commend the husband and father o
the kind protection Of Heaven, and P
ext to commence together, II possible, q
le keeping of small school. q
This latter plan, however, they deter e
ined to submit to the father on his re- Il
I'm. g
As Thornby approached the crowded a
ty, he felt more oppressed By the doubts q
ID fears which he had urged in the con- "
rsation with his wife. le
The first place ct which he called had II
vertised for a person having qualiHca-
ms which William Thornby felt an I'M
ubted assurance that he possessed. On N
!ting his business, young clerk request te
him to be seated at the same time -
rveying him with contemptuous air. ~
Half an hour passed, and the employer -
tered. Thornby's name and application ~
re laid before him, and without waiting D,
hear the qualifications he was about to -;
ge, said quietly: ~
: ga will not answer my purpose, sir" bc
The applicant turned away without re- - -
and left the Office, saying to or r
nsoif: on
Just as expected. I Ihave every quail -, II
alton he required in his advertisement - -
my appearance does not suit him, and -
It is enough"
The next trial was large wholesale dry :,
IDS establishment. The refusal was ol'
tally decisive as the other; and as he ca
ned to leave the store he heard the Ole
ployer remark to the head clerk: IN
I make it =ule never to employ per- ou
who looks as If he vera unfortunate. ga