The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-08-12
CHANGE OF FORTUNE.
A BIT OF ROMANCE.

We are acquainted with a gentleman.
who, at one time, possessed an indepen>
dent fortune. He owned IL country seat,
a modern built house in the city, had "a
wife and daughter, and was as well off as
falls TO The lot of most mortals. There
was no reasonable wish that he could not
enjoy, for he always had balance to his
credit at his bankers, was not extrava-
CANT, and his wife and child confined
themselves to purchasing what they really
needed and no more, a rare quality in
woman.
Well, our friend paid bis debts as fast
as be contracted them, living in the fear
of God, acted honestly by all men, and
thought that he should die surrounded by
ali the comforts of life, He envied no
man, but many men envied him, for to be
rich Is to be envied and thus life passed
on, pleasant and agreeable, for there were
many friends around him. They partook
Of his hospitality, praised his benevoence,
made love to his daughter and humored
the wLimS of his wife. But one day our
friend awoke and found that he was ru-
ined man-tbat his wealth had disap~
peared, that his property was under
attachment OF the law, and that he had no
longer a house that he could call his own,
or thousand dollars that he could apply
to his immediate necessities. The cause
of this sudden change was on account of
his having written his name on the back
of several slips of paper, or in other words
he had endorsed for a friend, and that
haH l,ct thDuSanlS ,f Il
gold speculation. He was ruined, unable
to meet his notes, and the creditors had
turned their attention to the endorser, and
he, poor man, had to smart for the impru-
dence of another.
Our friend was honest, and suffered
from the effects Of it. He sighed "a: his
losses, moved from his convenient house,
gave up his furniture, all excepting that
which his wife claimed, hired a dwelling
house just large enough to accommodate his
family, and then cast his eyes around the
world to see what he could do TO support
them. Many years had elapsed since he
was engaged in trade, and he had no capi-
tai to commence with and build up a new
business. He applied to his friends for
aGvice-to those men who had spread
their legs under his mahogany, and eaten
| so many dinners, and while they were
ready to give him counsel, they were not
ready to assist him in any other manner
! One recommended farming, another tho't
that suffers position in the army might
| be a good thing, while a third concluded
that the old gentleman might still answer
for a second book-keeper in some estab-
! Iishment where rapidly was not required.
Our friend sighed at the advice, but
could not take it, and while still deh5er-
ating on fortunes changes, he was accost-
ed one day by young merchant, who was
reported as doing a large business for the
! government.
II want partner" the good looking
young fellow said, land you are just the
man for me-"
''But L have no capital, replied our
friend.
''And l need none. The fact of it is,
1 want two things, steady partner like
you and an auniable girl, like your daugh-
ter, for a wife
Our friend looked at the merchant in as
tonishment,
Gas far as the daughter is concerned"
replied our friend, you must get her con-
sent. AS far as l am concerned l am
ready to take advantage Of your offer"
''All right" replied the confident young
fellow. "She will consent in due time, or
am much mistaken. Eve met her on
several occasions, and l know lha, I'm not
hateful 10 her"
This singular partnership commenced
and prospered- The young merchant laid
siege to the daughter, won her, is TO mar-
ry her; and now comes the strangest part
of this eventfuI life change, an1 if we were
writing Il romance, we should not expect
our readers to believe it, for it is wonder
full. Six months after our friend lost his
property it was restored to him, the same
house, and nearly the same furniture, for
the man for whom he endorsed, by several
reckless speculaiionS in gold, in New
York, won back that which he had lost,
and much more, and for the honor of hu-
manity, restored to our friend that which
! the law had taken.
| This is one of fortunes chadgcs, and a
singular one it is, but it is true; and when
our friend relates it he adds, 'Tll never
| again endorse a note for friend"
ACCnRDTSf. to tho a0casfar E-rn,seS n