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

Prior to the ,gfeat flnancial crisis Sf
1887, joshua Martin was deeified the
most prosperous merchant in the then
frontier city of st. Joseph, Wisconsin.
He was noted for his sterling integrity
and stainless character; and, ifhe revel-
ed in wealth, he did not parade it before
the eyes of the peopls:
He cathe t6 St. Joseph in 1881, and at
once began to amass o 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 eGsterH 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 ataOhg those Of tafthage. 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 a wife and one daughter, to an
humble dwelling; and from the date of
that removal the Martins were 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 strong man, he
could not bear up under his loss. Ifa
few thousand had been taken from him
at intervals, he might have recovered,
and regained his position; but the de-
strucIion of tens of thousands at 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
%ho now did not deign to recognize them
on the streets. ~
When rich man suddenly becomes
poor; the grave is the best place for him.
1t Is a house of refuge, where hoSs 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 mucho
the gorgeous furniture which had orna-
mepted their late home but kept the
piano, and few other pieces which Mau-
NEE loved.
Maumee Martin had grown to bcwitch-
ing womanhood during her life in St.
Joseph, aha her Accomplishments rivalled
her beauty. After the death of her fa-
ther-after her transformation into the
Child of despised bahktupt-she did
not shrink from the lHties that fell to
her lot,
She Hdst live she must earn her daily
bread and week after the change of
life, we find Maumee Martin plying the
seamstress' needle, OF giving lessons in
music to O few children whose parents
sent them to her because she taught
cheaper than regular musical preceptors.
BY and by, the house which they occu-
pred was sold over their heads; but the
fleM o@hef-G great middle aged, but
somewhat handsome man-assured 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 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 that he intended
to wed the bankrupt's widow.
"My chances are decidedly good" said
the merchant one evening, as he bert
over the cohnting room desk. "The eifi
appears coy, but she will come about in
time. People think that 1 am after the
widow; but I never entertained a. thought
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-