The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-12-08
Selett Storg.
TIE BROKEN HOME.
TRUTH STRANGER THAN F9C-
.--.. ITON." .-.......

| .--- 41ON
In San Francisco, on the north side
of Folsom street, overlooking Mission
Bay, stands palatial residence.
The interior of this house is even
more beautiful than its exterior, every
=, apartment being in its way gem q
magni6cence and refinement .....
} The library especially realizes the
most perfect ideal of an. elegant and
cultured home.
| And yet, at the moment we look in
upon him-one August afternoon, As
he occupied his library-the proprie-
tor of all this wealth appeared of all
men the most miserable.
| He was Mr. Morton Preble, for
many years leading banker of San
| Francisco.
1t was in vain that the broad bay
window at the south end of the room
had been opened, giving ingress to
the sunshine and the fragrance of rare
| fowers-in vain that the walls were
lined with rich carved book cases and
paintings in vain that. soft couches
and luxurious chairs had been gath
cred around him.
He was wretched.
He lay on a sofa, in the depth of
the great bay-window. the wreck of a
once powerful man. His figure was
thin and gaunt; his face white as
marble; his eyes having an express
sion of woful apprehension, of har
rowing anxiety, of dreadful expec
fancy. r
1t was evident at a glance that no
merely physical ailment had made
him what he was.
By what withering secret, by what
destroying afiiction, had he been thus
agonized? thus haunted thus haunt
ed? he so noble and good he so
wealthy and distinguished!
As he moved restlessly upon his
luxurious cushions the pretty clock
on the mantle piece struck five. every
stroke seeming to fall like hammer
upon the heart of the nervous invalid.
He aroused himself, struggling feebly
to sitting posture.
"Oh, will this fatal day never, new
er pass? he murmured ''nor bring
us relief?"
Noticing with nervous start that
he was alone, he touched bell upon
table before him, and called:
"Helen, Helen! where are you?"
Before the echoes of his voice had
died out step was heard, and his
wife entered his presence.
81 left you only for moment, Nor
ton," she said, advancing to the bank:
ers side. you were dozing, i think.
I wish to send for the doctorp'
She was beautiful woman of some
six and thirty years, graceful, with
broad white brows, and loving eyes,
in which the brightness of surshiny
nature were still perceptrble, under a
grief and anxiety no less poignant
than that evitced by her husband.
"The doctor!" he echoed, half-re-
proachfully. ' ~z
Yes, DEAR" she said, in calm and
cheerful voice, as she drew a chair to
the side of the sofa, and sat, down,
stroking the corrugated forehead of
the invalid with magnetic touch =
t'He will be here imme iiately. Your
last nervous crisis alarmed me. You
may become seriously i'll 10
Mr.. Preble bestowed an affectionate
look upon his wife, but said despond-
emily: @ "
"rhe doctor He cannot minister
to mind diseased 2 ''Oh, if these
lone hours would only pass If
only knew what the day has yet in
store for us % -y ..l... 49,.
s.Look up. Morton!'' enjoined Mrs.
Preble, with a reverrntly trustful !
glance upward through the open win
dow at the blue sky, and as if look |
ing beyond the azure clouds therein. /
"Let US appeal from the injustice. aud |
wickedness Of earth to the goodness |
and mercy of Heaven ]"
The banker gave low, sobbing |
sigh.
81 cannot look up. Helen," he an
swered, with passionate tromor in /
voice -"only down, down at the grave
that is opening before me IL.
Mrs. Preble continued to stroke his
forehead softly, while she lifted her
pale face to the sunlight streaming in
to the apart ment. As,-. -
Look up. Morton-always look
upi" she again enjoined upon the in
valid. During all these fourteen
years of agony. / have not once doubt
I'd either the goodness or the justice
IF Heaven. ':blessed are they that
mourn for they shall be comforted."
believe that we shall yet rejoice
more keenly than we have mourned,
md that we shall come to glorious