Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-05-10

This was the time before the war, and
things were not then, as now. at gold prices,
but it was painful 10 see Contend struggling
under the pressure of wants and tastes
which be could not deny or control. Before
the first year was ont there was anxiety
written on Susie's rosy cheeks and Paul,
who would never deal with any hut the best
THAT Is to say the most iashionablel butch
ers, bakers and grocers, was 80 longer out
Of the power of -pecple and trem-
bled at the sight of bin. Upon cowpar-
ing accounts, it was discovered by Susie,
who, like most women, was the first to see
the need OF retrenchment. that their living
and ours differed much more in expense
than comfort, aud our little establishment
being kept by good management on about
half what the Centends expended but
Paul's objections to deal in second class
shops. as he called them, for a time checked
his wife's efforts TO economize. A few years
of this sort of thing and family OF young
children changed, however, the absolttc
necessity Of the case
Paul his love of elegance not whit
abated. but his purse absolutely empty,
gave up the reins of power into his wife :
hands and allowed her 10 manage matters in
the only way that was possible. Centen3
never before was given to bursts of illtem
per, indeed, his natural disposition was agi
able, but as the sweetest wine is said to
make the sharpest vinegar, - Paul, cut
short in his pleasures, his pee Iiiar fancies
aud his critical APPETITE WAS FIST becoming
morbid, querulous an3 fault t-fnding, many
a morning did Susie come round to our
house to have ont the good cry which she
dared not indulge in At home Many a sur-
reptitious trife for Paurs dessert, or pres
| ent for the children, was conveyed by Caro-
line from our domicie to theirs.
But all things have an end; Paul's Office
was taken from him by change OF political
rulers, and, beset by duns aud difficulties,
i'll health came upon him tthe sure result Of
over strained facaltiesl, and typhus fever
closed the catalogue of his misfortuneS.
When Contend had sufficiently recovered
from his long illness to look circumstances
in the face, be found himself in deplora-
ble condition, indeed. The war had just
broken out. and swept away the hopes Of
happiness of thousands better anchored
than be- What then had destiny to offer
him? He had neither the physical strength
nor q natural love for the sS,dier' profession
bu: he gloried in his coantry, and possessed
/ that Had of courage which in refined and
! sensitive temperaments has so often pro
d'reoS -szrits - limos Of err,s-rsrzrr.s
aud dagger. He obtained a commission.
and leaving his family with me, he travelled,
almost from sick bed into the heart of the
battle-ground, there to bid a long farewell
TO elegant leisure and the Injuries of home.
During all these years Of blood aud carnage,
Pau was one OF those whose places are ever
in the 'deadliest breach As If to dis
ped forever the dream that gentlena an 5
prerogative Is the softe-t, the sweetest, and
the best of what earth can furnish. his duty
compelled him to the roughest fare, scanty
slumbers. and weary and long ni-ht-marches.
Others had turlougbS. he could not obtain
them; to him at last fell the dreadful lot oi
Aniersonyiile, aud a bastial existence to
which death would have been Paradise.
can bear to tell the story now, when /,
Is over, and he who bore himself 50 bravely
Is done with it all-foT he came back at last,
not 10 live ami be happy, but to die aud be
happier; for he had, while cJugIering the
enemg, learned to conquer himself, his own
passions and weakness, and .e.t the world a
noble soul, one VINO had fa.hl.ed his mis-
sion and VAS ready to depart.
Self Indulgence had tarnishel the bright
Eess Of his character, but long months o.
suffering and priyation had brought refec-
ton, and with reflection new views of lie,
Of death, and OF the Christian 5 hope. N5r
was he suffered to die in loneliness; those
he loved were around him, AMI tie hours
that ushered him into the eternal world
were peaceful and without regret.
My dear jack, he said but few days
before his tranquil end, how strangely ny
destiny has been shaped by Providence. A
man who in youth never permitted himself
an uncomfortable moment, Is killed at last
by the effect Of he horrsrs Of a Southsrn
prison. Bat for my poverty. should never
have left my home aud dear ones, to do
battle even in this righteo:ss cause, and but
for my expensive tastes | should never have
been brought to this necessity. The evil
that has happened to me is my own work,
while the good have been able to do has
been the one blessing vouchsafei me by aa
oTerruling power. Let NE entreat you,
! however, 10 VAIN my children against fol
lowing my footsteps. This life Is not gwen
Us for enjoyment, or the cultivation Of eie-
CANT tastes The preroga'ive Of gentle
man Is the privilege of every human soul
to do justly, to love mercy, and walk hum
bly, with his Coz -
M Jones told his wife, the other day,