The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-05-27
DOMESTIC kFFLICTION.
A HEART RENDING STORY

The Washington correspondent of
the New York Metropolitan Record,
furnishes that paper with the follow
ing picture of domestic afaiction
While was sitting in the reading
--nnm- -ef IIfriillllisrtl,s " hotel .his afternoon
thinking oyer n plan to -saHn tho -ceun-
try and protect sir. Stanton from the
persecution of unscrupulous enemies,
white haired cid gentleman came up to
me and said he understood was a per-.
son of sympathetic nature The first
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 removed this unworthy
thought, and filled me with deep pit.
I informed him that SOHO one had
told him the truth, which is very re
markable thing in Washington, aad he
then said he had tale to tell that
would probably harrow up my scul
l"What is it about, my venerable
friend 2" said l to the old gentleman,
and he answered briefly but sorrowful
ly:
SIT is tale of family disgrace"
spray SIR" L said, don't pain your
self 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,
ard / am considering how to save it"
Bnt the old gentleman would not be
put off. He insisted on unfolding his
tale, and taking a seat beside me he be
gan as follows: y5T-5sa Al.
81 am the father of ten children
I expressed my coincidence, and he
continued
"Ten children, sir, and 1 did all I
could to bring them up in the way of
virtue and honor"
Sand I trust they are comfort and
support to your old age,' SAID 1.
"Ah, sir, they have been curse to
me. Look at these grey hairs ? Look
at the furrows of care upon my face =!
My children, oh, my children J" .
1 became interested, and told the cid
gentleman to proceed
"My first great grief" said he, com
posing himself. "was caused by my
eldest son. He was young man of
fine promise, and l had him educated
for the church. He became miuis-
ter. His sermons were the wonder of
our section. He married an excellent
girl and lived happy with her. His
christian zeal knew no bounds. He es
tablised Sabbath school and started
the greatest revival movement ever
known in the West. 1t gladdcned my
heart to see my son 'deveting himself
so earnestly to the holy work.
But a blow came, a terrible blow.
In the midst of the revival he eloped
with one of the Sabbath School teach.
ers and left his wife and children on
my hands" na
said that was a great blow indeed
and the old man went on;
"About this time my second son,
young man of excellent talents and
character, held responsible position
in bank in New York. 1 was proud
of him when he would be one of the
foremost bankers in the metropolis.
But there was another blow coming
One day 1 received letter from the
President of the bank informing me
that my son was: a defaulter, that he
embezEIed 100000 and started for
Europe with waiter girl from one Of
the concert saloons.V s.ees..
"That was dreadful" said I.
Yes. sir, it was great disgrace,
but not the worst Another son set
tied in Chicago and became gambler.
He associated with the most disreputa.
BILE persons, pugilists, 'blacklegs, thieves,
and went down step by step until he Fl,
tnally connected himself with gift en-
terprise for the relief of soldiers and
sailors. Oh, how my heart bled when
I heard how low he had descended ~
'sNo wonder, sir, it was fearful n
"It was fearful, sir, but I bore it asst
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