The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-06-21
The Broken Merchant.
BY MRS. L. q. s1aoURNEY.


den as they have been in our own coun-
try, it is important that young females
should possess some employment, by
which they might obtain livelihood IN
case they should be reduced to the neces-
sity of supporting themselves. W men
families are unexpectedly reduced from
afluenco to poverty, how pitiful, con-
temptible it is to see the mother despond-
ing or helpless, and permitting herdaugh-
ters to embarrass those whom it is their
duty to assist and cheer.
81 have lost my whole fortune" said a
merchant, as he returned one evening to
his home; we can no longer keep our car
riage. We must leave this large house.
The children can no longer go to expen-
sive schools. Yesterday I was a rich
man; today there is nothing that I can
call my own"
"Dear husband" said the wife, 1--WE are
still rich in each other and our children.
Money may pass away, but God has Civ
en- us better treasures in those active
hands and loving hearts"
"Dear father" said the children, "doo
not look so sober. We will help you to
get living"
"What can you do, poor things% p said
he.
"You shall SEQ, you shall see," answer
ed several voices. "It is pity if we
have been to school for nothing How
can the father Of eight children be poor
We shall work and mako you rich again"
"I shall help" said the younger girl,
hardly four years old, III shall not have
any new things bought, and I shall sell
my great doll"
The heart of the husband and father
which had sank within his bosom like a
stone, was lifted up. The sweet enthusi,
asm of tho scene cheered him, and his
nightly prayer was like song of praise
They left their stately house. The SER
wants were dismissed. Pictures and plate,
rich carpets and furniture, were sold, and
she who had boon mistress of the man
sion shed no tears.
"Pay every debt" says she; "let no
one suffer through u.s. and we may be
happy"
He rented a neat cottage, and small
piece of ground, few miles from the
city. With the aid of his sons, he culti-
waited vegetables for the market. He
viewed with delight and astonishmont
the economy of his wife, nurtured as she
had been in wealth, and the efficiency his
daughters soon acquired under her train
ing.
The eldest one instructed in the house
hold, and also assisted the younger chill
dren; besides, they executed various
works, which they had learned as accom-
plishments, but which they found could
be disposed of to advantage They en-
broidered with taste some of the orna-
mental parts of female apparel, which
were readily sold to merchant in the
city.
They cultivated flowers, sent boquots
to market in the cart that conveyed the
vegetables they plated straw, they
painted maps, they executed plain needle
work. Every one was at her post, cheer
full and busy. The little cottage was like
bee hive.
"Inever enjoyed such health before"
said the father.
"And I never was so happy before"
said the mother.
ave never knew how many things we
could do, when we lived in the great
house," said the children; "and we love
each other great deal better here. You
call us your little BEES"
eyes," replied the father, "and you
make just such honey as the heart likes
to feed on.
Economy as we'll asindustry was strict
ly observed. Nothing was wasted moth
ing unnecessary was purchased. The
eldest daughter became assistant teacher
in distinguished female seminary, and
the second took her place as instructress
to the family.
The dwelling which they had always
kept neat, they werc soon able to beauti-
fy. Its construction was impoved, and
the vines and Towering trees were re-
planted around it. The merchant was
happier under his woodbine covered
porch, in a summers evening, than he had
beon in his snowy dressing room.
mWe are now thriving and prosperous"