Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-01-19
Greatest Treasure.

Mr.. Charles kept up his totter
ing fortunes as long as possible
To see the industry and toll of hi:
last days swept away by the resist
less tide Of financial ruin around
him, was almost too much for his
poor brain. "Lost! everything lostr
he exclaimed, walking up and down
his counting-room with a heavy
weight upon both head and heart
Some friends came in, but little was
said; indeed, there was nothing to
say. By a grasp of hand and 6
glance of the eye could they reveal
their sympathy with him in his bro
ken fortunes.
Lost" he repeated, almost un.
conscious of their presence, cal
lost! the labor of years lost"
1t was late in the afternoon when
he was persuaded to go home.
Home no longer" he said bitterly
"Grant, l have no home" Grant
really anxious for what he might dc
in the heat and excitement of the
hour, went with him. Reaching the
steps of his beautiful home, he stop
ped and pressed his hand against
his forehead. "Granr 1 have nc
home" he said again. Before, ,hav-
ing time to turn his key to gain adj
mittance, the door opened from with
in, and three expectant children ran
cheerily out to greet him.
81 knew twas you, dear papar'
they cried in a breath.
We have been waiting ,and waiting,
and waiting;" and each one laid
hold of him, one by the hand,
another by the arm, and a fat little
fellow grabbed him by the leg, with
the glad refrain, "My dear, good
papa"
The sudden encounter seemed to
stop the current of Mr.. Charles un-
happiness, and he looked at his
children with a glad and grateful
surprise. "All is not lost" said his
friend, smiling and taking his leave.
Mr.. Charles went in. The sweet
welcome of his wife and the tender
caresses of his children made him
feel as he had never seen or felt be-
fore, that he had possessions dearer
far more enduring than stocks or
notes; yet he sank down in the
nearest chair: 80 wife," he said,
"there is nothing left"
Nothing left, James? Your hon
or is left; your health reason left; !;
Rosa, Mary, Johnny, and are left;
Gods goodness and mercy are left;
Christ is left; time is left; heaven
is left. Every thing which money
cannot buy, dear James, is left; and
shall we repine OR despair? Never,
James, neverw and while his wife
Mary was still speaking, Rosa and
little Mary curled down at his feet,
looking wistfully and lovingly into
his face, while Johnny climbed up
the chair, and less riotously than
usual put himself on his papa's
shoulder, the very height of his
small ambition, and covered his
fathers face with kisses.
"All is not lost" said the poor
bankrupt. "God forgive my ingrati-
tude. Ny greatest treasures are
left;;'' and the new value which loss
often stamps on that which remains
seemed like a sudden revelation of
things long hid from his eyes.
Money, then, was not every thing.
Accumulation, for which he had so
increasingly toiled, was it indeed SO
little? 1t swept away, and SO much
left? all that was priceless! 1t was
an hour when life was crowded into
new adjustments; and when, in
obedience to the frolicsome demands
of his little son, he strobe across
the floor, the palmiest days of his
merchant life seemed poor compared
with his clearer estimates of what
constitutes our real riches.