Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1873-05-22
aARhEY's 0HAMgRs!
"A Story of the west.
By CAPT. CHARLES HOWARD.

Prior to the ,gfeat financial crisis Sf
1887, joshua Martin was deemed the
most prosperous merchant in the then
frontier city of st. Joseph, Wisconsin.
He was noted for his sterling integrity
and stainless character; and, if he revel-
ed in wealth, he did not parade it before
the eyes of the people: :.
He carhe tU st. Joseph in 1881, and at
once began to amass fortune. Those
who pretended to know, said that the
merchant operated in eastern stocks
and the bulk of his wealth was staked
among the bulls and bears of New York.
The memorable crash of that decade
which embraces the dates above written,
ruined Joshua Martin: He had staked
everything iii eastern securities, aid lie
suddenly found himself comparative
beggar. Poor blinded man! He could
save nothing from the wreck, and he sat
among the ruins of his fortunes, like Ma
rius atiohg those Of Gafthage. Forced
to relinquish the imposing residence
which, in his eagcrhess to delve deeper
into stocks, he had mortgaged away, he
was obliged to remove his family, consist
ing Of wife and one daughter, to an
humble dwelling and from the date of
that removal the Martins we're no more
mentioned in the fashionable society Of
"St. Jo."
The troubles of the bankrupt's family
did not end here. The blow killed the
merchant. Though a strong man, he
could not bear up under his loss. fla
few thousand had been taken from him
at intervals, he might have recovered,
and regained his position; but the de-
struction of tens of thousands Mt ore
sweep Of the waves, overwhelmed him.
He sank rapidly, and died, leaving his
family to buffet the waves of the world,
and to do the best they could among
those who once knelt at their feet; but
Who now did not deign to recognize them
on the streets. u
When Il rich man suddenly becomes
poor; the grave is the best place for him.
It's house of refuge, where hess safe
from the scorn of those whose equal and
superior in social position he once was.
Mother and daughter took quite readi-
" to their new life. They sold much Of
the gorgeous furniture which had orna-
mepted their late home; but kept the
piano, and {. few other pieces which Maui
nice loved.
Maumee Martin had grown to bewitch.
ing womanhood during her life in St.
Joseph, aha her Accomplishments rivalled
her beauty. After the death of her IA
thereafter her transformation into the
Child of d despised bahktupt-she did
not shrink from the tltities that fell to
her lot,
She mdst live she must earn her daily
bread and week after the change of
life, We find Eiaumee Martin plying the
seamstress' needle, Of giving lessons in
hiusic to few children whose parents
sent them to her because she taught
cheaper than regular musical preceptors.
! BY and by, the house which they occu-
pied was sold over their heads but the
1e% o@hef--a great middle aged, but
somewhat handsome man-assnred them
that they should not be turned out.
The new owner was stranger in St.
Joseph; but Immediately after purchas.
ing the property above MENTIONED he
opened a commission store, and at once
drew thriving patronage about him.
Andreas Harley, for such was his name,
came often to the Martins, and reports
Went abroad to the effect chat he intended
to wed the bankrupt's widow.
"My chances are decidedly good" said
Che merchant one evening, as he bent
over the Counting room desk. "The girl
appears coy, but she will come about in
time. People think that am after the
widow; but I never entertained a. a'thourht
in that direction. The beauty of the
daughter would draw the widows most
devoted adorer to her side. That girls
beauty. She must become Mrs. Har-