Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-11-23
THE BROKEN HOME.
"Truth stranger than Fiction"

In San Franoisco, 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 apart
meut being in its way gem of magnii-
cence and refinement.
! The library especially realizes the most
perfect ideal of an elegant and cultured
home. 49,.
Aud yet, at the moment we look 10
upon him-one August afternoon, as be
oceu pied his library--the proprietor OF
all this wealth appeared of all men the
most miserable
he was Mr.. Morton Preble, for many
years a leading banker of San Francisco.
Il was in vain that the broad bsy-win-
dow at the south end of the room had
been opened, giving ingress to the sun
shine and the fragrance of rare flowers
in vain that the walls we're lined with
richly carved book cases aud paintings
in vain that soft ceuches and luxurious
chairs had been gathered around him.
He was wretched.
He lay on a sofa, in the depths of the
great bsy-window, the wreck of a once
powerful man. His figure was thin and
gaunt; bis face white as marble; his eyes
having an expression of woeful appre-
hension, of narrowing anxiety, OF dread
fol expectancy.
II was evident at a glance that no
merely physical silment had made him
what he was.
By what withering secret, by what de-
stroying sffl ction, had he been thus
sgonized thus haunted? he so noble and
good he 80 wealthy aud distinguished !
As be moved restlessly upon his luxu-
rious cushions the pretty clock on the
mantel-piece struck FIVE, every stroke
seeming to fall like hammer upon the
heart of the nervous invalid. He aroused
himself, struggling feebly to q sitting
posture.
"Oh, will this fatal day never, never
pass p he murmured, NOR bring us re-
iiefY
Noticing with a nervous start that he
was alone, he touched bell upon table
before him and called: fHl.y
"Helen, HsIenl where are you ?"
Before the echoes Of his voice had died
out step was heard, and bis wife en-
tered his presence,
~ left you only for moment, Nor
ton," she said, advancing to the banker g
side. "You were doing, think. l
wished 10 send for the doctor !
She was a beautiful woman, of some
six and thirty years, graceful, with broad
white brows and loving eyes, in which
the brightness aud sweetness OF sun
shiny nature were still perceptible, under
q grief and anxiety no less poignant
than that evinced BY her husband.
"The doctor |" be echoed reprosch-
fully
"Yes, dear" she said, 10 o calm aud
cheerful voice, &C she drew a char to the
aide Of the sofa and sat down, stroking
the corrugated forehead Of the invalid
With q magnetic touch. " he will be
here Immediately. Your last nervous
crisis alarmed me You may become Sc
rious,y IN !"
Mr.. Preble bestowed an sfectionate
look upon bis wife, bat said despond-
entity:
"The doctor BE cannot minister to
q mind diseased Oh, II these long
hours would only pass II ! only knew
What the day has yet in store for rs
look up, Morton r enjoiued Ars
Prebls, With 3 reverenily trusiful glance
upward through toe open window II the
blue sky, and ss if looking beyond the
fzurs cloads therein. "Let'us sppea