The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-12-16
a FORTUNE LOST.
a REMARKABLE STORY OF REAL
LIFE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE


LIFE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Ever since the writer was a mere boy
he has heard sthe March place. in Green
land, spoken of as the most magnificent
country seat in the state, if not in New
England. Located in a beautiful town,
with handsomely laid out and well kept
grounds, with proad and fertile lands,
with enormous sheds and barns filled with
the choicest cattle, rare old mansion on
whose surroundings no expense of art has
been spared with noble trees among whose
branches cool breezcs rustic amid the heat
of summer, II even seemed to US that Croe-
sus himself could not have been more
happy than the owner of this dwelling.
The mansion was furnished in almost
regal luxury. Enormous sums had been
lavished on elegant furniture, rich hang
ings, mirrors, bronzes and rarities of all
kinds that art could flourish or a cultiva-
ted taste suggest. The lardcr, ever well
filled, presented a variety that would have
satisfied the fastfdlous palate of Ergasilus,
nor were rare wines lacking to complete
the equal feast. The attractions were not
enjoyed by the happy owner alone. His
hand was ever open and his hospitality,
that classic virtue, unbounded. Public
men, and others not unknown to fame,
enjoyed it. The late ex-President Pierce
was a frequent and favored guest A
room was always set apart for his special
use, and years ago was fitted up expressly
for his occupancy, at a cost of about S3,
600. But a few weeks since, Franklin
Pierce spen: several days there.
Colonel Clement March, the possessor
of this splendid establishment, seemed the
very favorite of fortune. Some years
since, an uncle living in New York left
him about Sl50,O0O, and while living at
his ease on this sum, word came that he
was again an heir, by the death Of his
brother, to another cool hundred thousand.
Soon after these fortunate dispensations,
he was again an heir to all estate of an
other uncle at Madeira, amounting to
nearly two millions. This seemed to con-
vince the Colonel that fortune had indeed
''showed him its kindly hand" but in an
evil hour, copper stocks and silver mines
seemed like serpents to charm his fancy
Aided 10y the Vaccinations of interested
parties in New York and Philadelphia, he
was led to investments of large amounts,
| which dame rumor says caused his pres
ent embarrassment and recent sacrifice of
al that the law could reach.
To-day the estate, valued at $500,
900, is bankrupt. We have already no-
ted the transfer of many articles Of value
to the wealthy men of Portsmouth, for a
mere song, compared with their real value.
| Everything has been sold under the ham
mer, aun the feeting character of riches
is again a text in the mouths of those who
are ever ready to ''point a moral and
adorn a tale" The gorgeous rooms, grand
even in their desolation, with gilt and fres-
CO, are without an occupant, The con-
| clusion we extract from the Portsmouth
| Times:
''The claims made against him were in
| behalf of some of the more distant lega-
| cies, which it was said were never paid,
| although today many are of the opinion
that 100000 is not all that was left of
the estate. Rumor says he had the pru-
dence to invest in foreign bonds, where
the merciless hand of the law could not
reach it, and where, in case of an evil day,
he could fall back and enjoy the remain
der of his days.
"Various are the stories ahoat, and we
give them for what they are worth. All
we know is that these deserted halls speak
in eloquent tones of the dangers in specu-
lations in stocks that have no tangible
| value All around ia a scene of deSola-
| ton. The enormous barns and cattle
sheds that contained the fine herds are de-
serted the stable, where were kept the
horses for riding, for hunting, and for the
use of the farm, is depleted, and naught
remains. In the model houses for swine
and poultry, not a grunt or a cackle can
be heard, and the tall pines seem, as they
sway in the breeze, to sing a requiem OF
departed days. - Concord Potr'Ot.