The Grand Haven news., 1863-08-05
CHANGE OF FORTUNE.
A BIT OF ROMANCE

W oiO RNNha'ihhNA "Ahi " SNhN'SN't
who, at one time, possessed an indepen-
dent fortune. He owned n country seat,
n modern-built house in tho city, had n
wife and daughter, and was as happy as
falls to the lot of most mortals. There
was no reasonable wish that he could not
enjoy, for he always had balance to his
credit at his bankers, was not extravagant,
and his wife and child confined themselves
to purchasing what they really needed,
and no more, rare qualify in woman,
and one we should like to see initiated
during this cruel war.
Well, our friend paid his debts as fast
rs he contracted them, lived in the fear of
God, acted honestly by all men, and
thought that he should die surrounded by
all the comforts of life. He ensied no
man, but many men envied him, for to be
rich is to be envied; and thus life passed
on, pleasant and agreeable, for there were
many friends around him. They partook
of his hospitality, praised his benevolence,
made love to his daughter, and humored
the whims of his wife. But one day our
friend awoke and found that he was n
ruined mau-that his wealth had disap-
peared, that his property was under an
attachment of the law, and that he no
longer had a house that he could call his
own, or thousand dollars that he could
apply TO his immediate necessities. The
cause of this sudden change was on ac-
count of his having written his name on
the back of several slips of paper, or in
other words he had endorsed for friend
and that friend had lost thousands Of dol
lars through gold speculations. He was
ruined, unable to meet bis notes, and the
creditors had turned their attention to the
endorser, and he, poor man, had to smart
for the imprudence of another.
Our friend was honest and suffered
from the effects of it, He sighed at his
losses, moved from his convenient houses,
gave up his furniture, all excepting that
which his wife claimed, hired a dwelling
house just largo enough to accommodate
his family, and then cast his eyes around
the world TO see what he could do TO sup
port them. Many years had elapsed since
he was engaged in trade, and he had no
capital to commence with, and build up
a new business. He applied to his friends
for advice-to those men who had spread
their legs under his mahogany, and eaten
SO many dinners, and while they were
ready to give him counsel, they were not
ready to assist him in any other manner.
One recommended farming, another tho't
that suffers position in the army might
be a good thing, while third concluded
that the old gentleman might still an
swer for second book-keeper, in some
establishment where rapidity was not re-
quired.
Our friend sighed at the advice, but
could not take it, and while still deliber-
ating on fortunes changes, he was accost-
ed one day by a young man, a merchant,
who was reported as doing large busi-
ness for the government.
~ want n partner" the good-lookiug
young fellow said, land you are just the
man for me-"
IL have no capital" replied our friend.
"And need none. The fact of il is,
want two things, a steady partner like
you, and an amlable girl, like your daugh-
ter, for wife,"
Our friend looked at the merchant in
astonishment.
GAS far as the daughter is concerned"
replied our friend, "you must get her
consent. AS far as | am concerned, |
am ready totakc advantage fyour Offer"
"All right" replied the young fellow.
"She will consent in due time, or | am
much mistaken. I've met her on several
occasions, and know that Tm not hate