The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-07-26
TRIED BY FIRE.

"The man is ruined-hopelessly
ruined! I"
The words startled me.
$50 bad as that2" said the individual
to whom the remark was made.
"Even so bad"
"Of whom are you speakinga" 1 ven
tured to ask.
"Of Jacob Atwood"
I started to my feet.
He was one of my old, intimate and
long tried friends.
Ruined, did you aaya That man
ruined2 Impossible |"
"There is no doubt Of it. I received
my information from those who have
the best right to know"
"What has he done9" I asked.
eagerly.
My question was received in silence,
as if the meaning was not clearly appre-
hended.
"Is he defaulter
emo"
The answer showed some surprise al
my q1estion.
"Has he betrayed an honorable trust
reposed in him by his fellow men :"
"No, sir; his integrity is without
question. In all his public relations he
was true as steel to principle"
"What then Has he placed any por'
ton of his property beyond the reach
of creditors who have just claims upon
him? ?"
"Oh, no, said I, speaking out warm
ly, "not in any sense ruined man. The
merchant may re ruined, but, thank
Heaven, the man is whole"
The little company looked at me for
moment with surprise.
"The man is all right" I went on.
"Only the scafolding on which the
workmen stood who were building up
his character has fallen. Erect, calm,
noble, half divine he stands now in the
sunshine and in the storm. Around his
majestic brow the clouds may gather
upon it the tempest may beat but he is
immovable in his great integrity"
Some smiled at my enthusiasm. Tc
them there was none of the moral sub
lime in the ruined merchant.
Others looked little more thought
full than before, and one said feebly:
"There is something in that"
Something in that
should think there was. It was th'
first intelligence had received of m.
friends worldly misfortune and il
grieved me.
In the evening I went to see Jacol
Atwood. The windows of the elegan
residence where he had lived for year
were closed.
Hooked up at the house-it had a de
serted aspect.
rung the bell no one answered tt
my summons.
I could not repress the feeling of sad
ness that came over me.
The trial must have been severe ever
for brave heart like his.
s'I must find him." said I.
And did find him but far ava,
from the neighborhood where merchan
princes had their palace houses.
The house into which he had retiret
with his family looked small and meal
and comfortless in comparison with tn
elegant abode from which he had re
moved.
rang and was admitted. The parlo
into which I was shown was 8 smal
room and the furniture not much bette
than we often see in the houses Of tn
well-to-do mechanics, or clerks on mod
crate salaries. But everything was il
order and scrupulously neat.
Ihad made only a hurried observation
; when Mr.. Atwood entered.
He looked somewhat careworn-hi
face was paler than when last saw him
his eyes little duller, his smile les
cheerful.
The marks of trial and suffering wer
plainly visible,
It would have been almost a miracl
had it been otherwise.
But he did not exhibit the aspect of
ruined man.
He grasped my hand warmly and sal
it was pleasant to look into the face &
an old friend. I offered him words G
sympathy.
"The worst is over" he answere d
with manly cheerfulness, "and ncthin
is lost which may not be regained.
have found the bottom, know where
am, and there is strength enough left i
me to stand up securely among the rush
ing waters. The best of oil is, my prop
erty, which has been apportioned t.
my creditors, will pay every debt. Tha
gives my heart its lightest pulsations.
81 heard that you were ruined, sai,
I, as we sat talking together; "but
find that the man is whole. Not prin
ciple invaded by the enemy-not
moral sentiment lost-not jewel in tn
crown of honor missing"
He took my hand and, grasping i
hard, looked into my face steadily TO
some moments. Then, in subdue'
voice, he made answer:
tas'I trust that is even so, my friend
But there were seasons in the wors
than Egyptian night through which
have passed when the tempter's powe
seemed about to crush me. For mysel
l cared little; for my wife and childrel
everything. The thought of seeint
them go out from the pleasant home
D had provided for them and step down
far down, to lower level in the socia
\ grade, half distracted me for o time
} For them l would have braved every
thing but dishonor. could not stoo,
to that. And so have passed fer
ordeal and come out, verify believe,
, better man. No, my friend, I am no
ruined. have lost my fortune, but no
my integrity"
And so the man stood firm. It wa
not in the power Of any commercial dis
aster to ruin him.
The storm ragged furiously; the wave