Connecticut western news., 1876-07-07
TRIED BY FIRE.

The man is ruined-hopelessly ruined l" -e..5 l-.. 54r The words startled me. "So bad as that2" said the individual to whom the remark was made.
 "Even so bad."
 "Of whom are you speaking?" ven tured to ask.
 "Of Jacob Atwood"
 started to my feet.
 He was one of my old, intimate and long tried friends. 's Ruined, did you eay9 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 done ?" I asked, eagerly. a 1.l .#"=7s..... .-. a. My question was received in silence, as if the meaning was not clearly appre- hended. " Is he 8 defaulter ?"
 "No."
 The answer showed some surprise at my q1estion: Has he betrayed an honorable trust reposed in him by his fellow men 9''
 No, sir his integrity is without question. In all his public relations he was true as steel to principle"
 stWhat then Has he placed any DOT tion of his property beyond the reach of creditors who have just claims upon him 2" "Oh, no" said I, speaking out warm ly, "not in any sense 8 ruined man. The merchant may re ruined, but, thank Heaven, the man is whole."
 The little company looked at me for a moment with surprise.
 "The man is all right" I went on. "Only the scaffolding 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. To 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 tbat."
 Something in that
 I should think there was. It was the first intelligence I had received of my friends worldly misfortune and il grieved me.
 In the evening went to see Jacob Atwood. The windows of the elegant residence where he had lived for years were closed. looked up at the house-it had de serted aspect.
 l rung the bell :; no one answered tc 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.
 "I must find him." said I.
 And I did find him but far away from the neighborhood where merchant princes had their palace houses.
 The house into which he had retired with his family looked small and mea1 and comfortless in comparison with the elegant abode from which he had re moved.
 l rang and was admitted. The parlol into which was shown was a small room and the furniture not much bette than we often see in the houses of tn, weu-to-do mechanics, or clerks on mod crate salaries. But everything was il order and scrupulously neat.
 had made only hurried observation when MT. 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 miracl had 1t been otherwise.
 But he did not exhibit the aspect of ruined man.
 He grasped my hand warmly and saic it was pleasant to look into the face o an old friend. I offered him words o sympathy.
 "The worst is over," he answere d with manly cheerfulness, "and nothing is lost which may not be regained. have found the bottom, know where am. and there is strength enough left il me to stand up securely among the rush ing waters. The best of all is, my prop erty, which has been apportioned t. my creditors, will pay every debt. Tha gives my heart it's lightest pulsations.
 "I heard that you were ruined," sai' l, as we sat talking together; "but find that the man is whole. Not a prin ciple invaded by the enemy-not moral sentiment lost-not jewel in tn crown of honor missing"
 He took my hand and, grasping hard, looked into my face steadily flo some moments. Then, in a subdue voice, he made answer