The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-08-28
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THERE is an old proverb, that mis-
i fortunes never come singly,n and 1t
was certainly fully verified in the family
of William Blakely. Up to certain
period of his life, the world had gone
prosperously with him; but after this,
there was change Speculations which
had promised the most favorable results,
failed entirely, and his affairs became in
volved to an alarming extent. still there
was a chance that firmness and energy
would enable him to recover his former
position but a dreadful fire broke out
in the part of the city where his business
was located, and his own store was
among the first which fell prey to the
devouring element. Unfortunately the
insurance had expired the day before,
and had not yet been renewed. The
flames spread SO rapidly that the efforts
of the firemen to save the valuable prop
erty were in vain; almost everything
was consumed, and in few short hours,
from comfortable and somewhat affluent
circumstances, Mr.. Blakely and his large
family were reduced to absolute poverty.
But the tide did not turn here. The anx-
iety of mind which he had for some
weeks undergone, and the exposure to
which he was subjected on the night of
the fire, brought on fever, and for
many weeks his wife and daughters
hung over him, losing sight of all other
Affections in the one absoring fear for
the life of the husband and father. But
they were spared this trial; the fever at
length abated, and though the strong
man was left weak and helpless as an
infant, reason had returned, and the
physician had declared that nothing was
now necessary for restoration to health
but good nursing and freedom from men
tai anxiety.
Careful and affectionate nursing was
not wanting; but it was impossible to
prevent mental uneasiness. The very
presence of the dear ones around him
increased the depression of his spirits,
for it was no longer in his power to
maintain them in their present position
in society. They must share with him
the poverty, and perhaps the disgrace,
which had come upon him; for William
Blakely knew that the investigation in
to his affairs which his creditors would
require, would show that they had been
deeply involved even previous to the
fire, and that many would heap upon
him unmerited eproach-unmerited, for
he had in reality taken the course which
would have enabled him to be just to all
had not the last dispensation of Provi-
,dence frustrated his intentions. There
remained but one way by which his fair
name could be entirely retained, and on
this course he at once resolved. The
house in which they lived was valuable,
and from its situation would command
a ready and favorable sale.
1t was hard to part with the home
which he had endeavored to render in
every aspect desirable one for himself
and his family, but there was no alterna-
tive; it was the only way in which he
could satisfy the claims against him;
and as soon as his returning strength
would permit, the necessary steps were
taken, the house was offered for sale and
purchaser soon found.
We will pass over the sad farewell to a
place endeared by many fond remem-
brances, for our story is more of after
years when these trials were among the
things gone by.
1t is sufficient to say that every just
claim was satisfied, and the family re-
moved to distant part of the country,
for Mr.. Blakely felt anxious to quit the
scene of his misfortunes. Here in a
small but neat dwelling they found
themselves in possession of many COM
forts; and in their affection for each
other, which seemed strengthened by
their atflictions, the mother and children
soon found contentment and happiness.
But the fathers heart was still sad
The once cheerful buoyancy of his
spirits had given place to morbid sem
sitiveness--a want of confidence in him
self, and distrust of his fellow-beings.
His whole appearance had changed.
There was no longer the bright anima-
ted smile and the quick step which
marks the energetic and prosperous
man. His countenance was downeast
and sad his step lingering and irreso-
Lutte; in short, no one would have recog-
nized the once busy merchant in the ill
dressed and unhappy looking man who
now busted himself in the cultivation of