Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-02-18
MISCELLANEOUS.
Domestic Amietion.

Y. Metropolitan Record, furnishes that paper
with the following picture of domestic aflic-
tiou =
While was sitting in the reading room of
Willards hotel this afternoon, thinking over
plan to save the country and protect MIR.
Stanton from the persecution OF unscrupu-
lous enemies, white-haired old gentleman
came up to me and said he understood was
person of sympathetic nature. The hrst
idea that occurred to me was that he wanted
me to get him an appointment, but the utter
misery that was stamped on his face soon re-
moved this unworthy thought, and filled me
with deep pity.
informed him that some one had told him
the truth, which is q very remarkable thing
in Washington, and he then said he had
tale to tell that would probably harrow up
my soul.
"What is it about, my venerable friend 2"
said to the old gentleman, and he answered
briefly but sorrowfully.
sit is 4 tale of family disgrace"
"Pray, sir" l said, ''don't pain yourself
by repeating family troubles to me- am at
present engaged considering more important
matters. The very life of the nation, sir is
in danger, sir, and l am considering how TO
save it"
But tho old gentleman would not be put
off. He insisted on unfolding his tale, and
taking seat beside re he began as follows:
81 am the father of ten children"
expressed my coincidence, and he contin-
ued:
Ten children, sir, and did all could to
bring them up in the way fvirtue and honor
"And | trust they are a comfort and sup
port to you in your old age" said l.
"Ah, sir, they have been curse to me
Look at these grey hairs! Look at the fur
rows OF care upon my face! My children,
oh, my children ~
became interested, and told the old gen.
tleman to proceed.
"My first great grief" said he, composing
himself, twas caused by my eldest son. He
was young man of fine promise, and had
him educated for the Church. He became
minister His sermons were the wonder of
our section. He married an excellent girl
and lived happily with her. His Christian
zeal knew no bounds. He established Sab
bath school and started the greatest revival
movement ever known in the West 1t glad
dened my heart to see my son devotiLg him.
self so earnestly TO holy work. But blow
came, a terrible blow. In the midst of the
revival he eloped with one of the Sabbath
school teachers and left his wife and children
on my hands"
said that was a great blow, indeed, and
the old gentleman went on:
about this time my second son, young
man of excellent talents and character. held
a responsible position in bank in New York.
l was proud of him, sir, and l looked forward
to the time when he would be one of the fore
most bankers in the metropolis. But there
was another blow coming. One day [ re-
ceived letter from the president Of the bank
informing me that my son was defaulter,
that he had embezzled 100000 and started
for Europe with waiter girl from one of the
concert saloons"
THAT was dreadful" said I.
eyes, sir, it was great disgrace, but not
the worst. Another son settled in Chicago
and became gambler. He associated with
the most disreputable persons, pugilists, black
legs, thieves, and went down step by step un-
til he finally connected himself with gift
enterprise for the relief of soldiers aud sail
ors. Oh, how my heart bled when heard
how low he had descended!'
mo wonder sir, it was fearful"
at was fearful, sir, but bore it as we'll as
1 could. My fourth son was educated for the
bar. He was admitted to practice, and soon
became rising man. But the evil star was
over him too. He became a drunkard. He
lost all selfrespect, but still he had clients.
One of them was a widow and six orphans
She retained him in an important property
case. 1t involved fortune. He assured
her he would gain it, and he did. He gained
the case, sir, and pocketed every dollar Of
the money himself. Then he became more
and more dissipated, and was at last found
dead in common bar-room in St. Louis"
"Poor man, your sorrows are very great!
That blow was shocking"
"Oh, it was terrible, sir; but there was
worse to como. My second daughter, beau
tiful girl, married young merchant. They
seemed to be very happy. -Four children
blessed their union-lovely children, the i'm
age of their parents FanDy's husband dotted
on her he thought she dotted upon him
But she deceived him. One evening when
he went home she was absent She did not
return that night He was distracted. Next
day one of his clerks was absent. He made
inquiries, and learned that they had elOped.
When the news came to me it almost broke
my heart"
"shocking, shocking~ I observed, but
without needing my interruption the old man
continued:
Sarah, my third daughter, was always a
foolish girl, fall of romantic notions and fond
of reading novels. A month after Fanny's
marriage She ran away with travelling tink-
er and came back in less than year in rags
De-, Ce-.b ' 7 eorld nn4 htana her rnurh for