The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-02-10
Wbile she was in business one thing occur

while she was in business one thing occur
red which has proved the cause Of her pres
emit poverty. Going to Boston with money to
buy her goods for cash, the firm with which
she traded persuaded her, against her own
Judgment, to get in debt for much larger
stock Of goods than she intended to buy, tell
ing her to take her own time to make pay
ment in. When the goods were sent an agent
went with them, who succeeded in getting
mortgage OF her goods, adroitiy including her
furniture. The firm failed, and the mortgage
was foreclosed. Being close-minded, and
thinking all was lost, she took her family and
returned east to her fathers house. A little
better acquaintance with things, or had she
asked advice and assistance of friends, her
goods might have been saved. But all was
sold, and nothing remained for her. Not
wishing to be dependent, she renewed her eff
forts to support her family, and last spring
came to this city for that object. On account
of sickness Of herself and child she has been
able TO do but little herself. Her chief de-
pendence has been ON her eldest daughter,
who works steadily by the week But the
high price of provisions has not kept them
from being destitute of many Of the necessa-
ries of life. Ae M
This woman of whom am writing, Is la
dy in the true sense of the word. She has
never asked for help, though nobody seems
better to appreciate it. A kind-hearted wo.
man made her situation known to me. No
complaint of poverty escapes her lips. but if
you inquire into her circumstances she will
freely tell you. Her life for the past fourteen
years has been full of trials. Her love for her
family and her faith In God have kept her from
sinking beneath them. A full statement of
all the incidents of her life would fill not
very small volume. sss
In her case we are strikingly reminded Of
the saying-"too poor to be economical The
best shoes must be worn In wet weather, for
there Ia no money to buy rubbers; the best
dress must be put on, for it is the only dress
| owned; the best bonnet, too, for there is no
other, and no umbrella to shield it; the stove
door is broken, and fuel consumes faster than
| it otherwise would, and 1t cannot be mended !;
fifteen hundred pounds Of coal is equal to a
cord Of best hard wood, but stove for burn
| ing coal cannot be procured; -four by the
barrel ia cheaper than by the dollars worth,
but money enough cannot be saved to buy 8
barrel.
The eldest daughter, of whom have spo-
ken, is modest, beautiful, educated young
lady, inheriting the energy of her mother, TAX
ing hold Of work for their support, for which
she is not properly fitted, with commendable
spirit You would not think, il you were to
pass her in the street, that she dwelt in a
home of straitened circumstances, and that
some of these cold winter nights there was
not bedding enough to keep them warm.
Nearly year has passed since anything
was heard from the husband. Whether dead
or alive is not known. Discomfort with a
competence has ended in disappointment and
poverty. 1t is hoped that the prospects Of the
family will ere long brighten, and that they
will be able to obtain for themselves an ample
support. susso7g 20 81 a o. P. T..