The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1868-02-28
The seedfura Gazette.
AN AFFLICTED PARENT.
A SECOND JOB.

more than semi occasionally, most tell
ino hits upon the follies and short
comings of this degenerate age. The
following is one of his last efforts:
WASHINGTON, Jan. %, 1868.
Editor Porf0Lo:-While l was sit
ting in the reading room OF Wlllard's,
this afternoon. thinking over plan to
save the country and protect Mr.. Stan
ton from the persecution of unscrupu-
lous enemies, white-haired old gem
tleman came up to me, and said he
understood was a person Of sympa-
thetic nature. The frs, idea occurred
to me was that he wanted me to get
him an appointment; but the utter
misery that was stamped on his face
scoa removed this unworthy thought,
and filed me with deep pity.
I informed him that some one had
told him the truth, which is a 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 ," said to the old gentleman;
and he answered briefly but s0rroWfnl-
ly:
at is tale of family disgrace"
"Pray, sir" l said, "don't "ain your
self by repeating family troubles to "e
1 am at present engaged in considering
more important matters. The very life
of the nation, sir, is in danger, and
am considering how to save it,"
But the old gentleman would not be
put off. He insisted on unfolding his
tale, and taking his seat beside me he
began as follows:
81 am the father of ten children"
expressed my coincidence, and he
continued:
''Ten children, sir, and l did all l
could to bring them up in the way OF
virtue and honor"
"And l trust they are a comfort and
support to you in your old age" said |.
"Ah, sir, they have been curse to
me. Look at these grey hairs Look
at TIE furrows of care upon my face!
My children, oh, my children!"
l became interested, and told the old
gentleman to proceed.
"My first great grief" said he, COM
posing himself, twas caused by my
eldest son. He was n young man fine
promise, and l had him educated for
the Church. He became a minister.
His sermons were the wonder of our
section. He married an excellent girl
and lived happily with her. His Chris
tian zeal knew no bounds. He estab
lished Sabbath school, and started the
greatest revival movement ever known
in the West. Itgladdened my heart to
see my son devoting himself so earnest
ly to holy work. But blow came, a
terrible blow. In the midst of the revi-
val he eloped with one of the Sabbath
school teachers and left his wife and
children on my hands"
Isaid that it was a great blow, indeed,
and the old gentleolan went on:
"About this time my second son, a
young man of excellent talents and
character, held 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
r Lotion frnYOo tho Droci-
dent of the bank informing pe that my
son was faulter, that he had embez-
zled $500, 900 and started for Europe
with waiter girl from one Of the con-
cert saloons"
"That was dreadful" said /.
eyes, sir, it was a great disgrace, but
not the worst. Another son settled in
Chicago and became gambler. He
associated with the most disrep eputable
persons, pugilists, blacklegs, thieves,
and went down step by step until he
finally connected himself with a gift en-
terprise for the relief Of soldiers and
sailors. Oh, how my heart bled when
| heard how low he had descended ~
"No wonder, sir, it was fearful"
ut was fearful, sir, but / bore it as
we'll as | could. My fourth son was
educated for the bar. He was admitted
to practice, and soon became a rising
man. But the evil star was over him,
too. He became drunkard. He lost
all self-respect, but stih he had clients.
One of them was a widow with six or
phans. She retained him in an impOr-
tant property case. 1t involved for
tune. He assured her he would gain it,
and he did. He gained the case, sir,
and pocketed every dollar the money
himself. Then he became more and
more dissipated, and was at last found
dead in a common bar-room in st.
Louis"
"PO0r man, your sorrows are very
great That blow was shocking"
"Oh, it is terrible, sir; but there was
worse to come. Ny second daughter,
beautiful girl, married a young mer-
chant. They seemed to be very happy.
Four children blessed their union
lovely children, the image of their pa
rents. Fanny's husband dotted on her;
he thought she dotted upon him. But
she deceived him. One evening when