Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-08-20

b OF his manhood. and conscience In
the blow. falling as it had done 90
J. spirit exhausted BY long endursa,
n bad hurt him beyond the leechs
skill.
i The elegant carpet had been laid
e the curtains hung. and the new brc
catelle furniture arranged in the parlol
Mrs. Drayton had closed all the shut
ters and lighted the gas in order {,
see and admire the effect.
"Splendidl"-had just fallen fror
her lips, when the rattle of her hus
bands key was heard in the latch. and
moment sfterward, Mr.. DrytoI
stood pale and bewildered. in the par
! lor door. Though h;confounded at wha
be saw, be comprehended the scene.
-L+s.Nvw don'tbs sngryi" said Mrs
Drayton. crossing the room quickly
"But what's the matter, Henry? Are
you sick?" Her voice changed from a
tone Of depreciation to one Of anxiety.
/ "Yes," was the low, family uttered
response. and Mr.. Drayton sat down
like one whose strength had suddenly
departed.
"What ails you. Harry?"
"Oh. Gatherl" The children drew
frightened around him.
For while he sat shrinking in the
chair; then raising. he looked steadily,
but d 1t sDgrily at his wife, and said:
"Jane-this is all wrong; and it is
hard for me to believe Il Of you. But
will not hurt any one now, by re-
proaches. You will have enough OF
them born in your own thoughts
There can be no party here to night.
! am ruined merchant, fallen under
a weight too heavy to he borne. Send
a notification to all that are invited; the
reason will in most cases be UNDER
stood"
Saying this. Mr.. Drayton went
with uncertain steps from the room,
and ascending to one of thes9haaabers
threw himseli on bed, froH hieh he
never arose. Soon afterwafd 4 ser,
want started in haste for the fanny
physician, who when he came, found
a white faced man rapidly sinking un-
der an exhausted flow Of blood from
the lungs. Tears we're vain; care was
vain; love was vain. The overtasked
and overburdened man had fallen half
way on his fruitless journey toward
worldly competence-faIlen to rise no
more; and when he left his family, !
Durtured. until then. by pride on the
lap OF luxury, he left them poor and
helpless in world that remembered
ell their social ambition, vain love Of /
show and extravagance. as so much
against them, instead Of so much in
their favor.
Widowed and poor!" was the pity !
ing answer made TO an inquiry about
Mrs. DIayton, year after her husband
died
"And she lived so handsomely
during Mr. Drayton's lifetime. What
a sad change!"
eyes. it IS sad Ah! if she and her
had now the hundreds Of dol.
lars that were wasted in entertain :
ments, expensive dressing and social
display. Effie and Ellen would not be
far away from home irving TO earn as
something with which to help
their mother support and educate their
Younger sisters and brothers; and Mrs.
Drayton would not be that toiling
slave, the poorly paid keeper of a
second rate boarding house. Willful
waste makes woeiul want, says the
proverb. every day we find Its truth
rxsmplifed; yet who takes warn ing?-
This year we see a wife tricked out In
ewels. silks and laces. like queen,
ainging to the public gaze az The hum
ming bird. or butterfly, all her wealth
and beauty. Next year. missing her
rom the street and opera. we ask,
What of Mrs. --?' and the low
voiced, plying answer comes-'Wid
owed, poori' And still there is bet
Ter promise for the poor widow, strug-
cling for existence, than for the vain
wife, smotheriDg her true
womanhood in a false ambition to seem
weaker. prouder, and more extrava-
CANT than her neighbors. The trial
nay be severe, the journey hard; but
he end. it is trurr peace. But whv
make misfortune q necessity? Why
lot. wisely and temperately. use the
good gifts Of God. building Herewith
.rmples for the indwelling Of immortal
'irtues, instead Of pilIng up vain-glo-
-ious towers. on The sandy foundation,
hat are sure to fsll2"